Brush And Massage-tool Patents (Class 15/110)
  • Patent number: 8091170
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a handle and a head having a flexible support from which cleaning elements extend. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle; a flexible support attached to the head and having a face; a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the flexible support and projecting outwardly from the face, the cleaning elements including bristles and wall-like elements and being movable in the outward direction from the head; wherein the cleaning elements comprise a row of first cleaning elements substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the head and traversing a central region of the flexible support; and wherein some of the wall-like cleaning elements laterally radiate from the central region of the flexible support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Robert Moskovich, John J. Gatzemeyer, Bruce Russell, Peter Andersen, Luca Casini, John Hancock, Douglas Hohlbein, Eduardo Jimenez, Thomas Kuechler, Tanja Langgner, Joachim Storz, Thomas Mintel, Michael Rooney, Alan Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 8079110
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Thomas E. Mintel, Armin Baertschi
  • Patent number: 8060970
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head having a proximal end and a distal end furthest from the proximal end. The head also includes a top face having a plurality of bristle tufts disposed therein, a back face opposed to the top face, and a tip. An elastomeric support element covers a portion of the back face, and the tip is uncovered by the elastomeric support element. A first plurality of elastomeric elements is integrally formed with the elastomeric support element. Each of the first plurality of elastomeric elements extends individually from the elastomeric support element and terminates in a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Sanjay Amratlal Solanki
  • Patent number: 8056176
    Abstract: Toothbrushes are provided which have various features that may include one or more tooth cleaning elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, one or more gum treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, and/or one or more soft tissue/tongue treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Karen Lynn Claire-Zimmet, William Ralph Brown, Jr., Alexander Timothy Chenvainu, Chris Blain, Jens Uwe Stoerkel, Ulrich Pfeifer, Gerhard Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20110265276
    Abstract: A toothbrush having a body, a brush head, and a neck extending between the body and the brush head is described. The brush head having a forward face and a rear face, and a massaging element disposed on the rear face of the brush head. The massaging element has a base surface which is non-coplanar with the rear face, and the massaging element comprising a plurality of protrusions. A plurality of bristles extends from the forward face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 8046864
    Abstract: The toothbrush body according to the invention has on its top side a hand-supporting section with at least one longitudinal support strip which extends along the longitudinal axis of a handle part and next to which is located at least one recess which extends laterally from the top side to a bottom side. The recesses can take the form of holes located between two longitudinal support strips or of open lateral recesses formed in the broad sides of the toothbrush body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Armin Baertschi, Beat Huber
  • Patent number: 8042214
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The hard material provides good stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Robert Moskovich
  • Patent number: 8032971
    Abstract: An oral care implement or toothbrush includes a head and a tooth cleaning element for enhanced cleaning and whitening of the teeth. The tooth cleaning element has a base corrected to the head. The base has structure in the form of a concave surface facing a distal region of the head such that dentifrice applied to the head is adapted to be directed towards the distal region of the head. A protrusion extends from the concave surface towards the distal region of the head. The head may include a plurality of concave surfaces that are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the head, and protrusion extends from the curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Moskovich
  • Patent number: 8032967
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle having a neck. A head is mounted to the neck and has a first surface and an opposed second surface. A first tuft block is mounted to the head, with the tuft block having tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly from the first surface. A tissue cleanser is mounted to the head and has a plurality of tissue engaging elements extending outwardly from the second surface. A drive assembly configured to cause the first tuft block and the tissue cleanser to move with respect to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Eduardo J. Jimenez
  • Patent number: 7992247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Philipp Pfenniger, Franz Fischer
  • Publication number: 20110185521
    Abstract: The embodiment is a circular body, top, on/button, and shampoo dispensing button produced of plastic that incorporates a soft rubber material compound used for the handle, massaging nubs, and the shampoo inlet reservoir. The embodiment incorporate shock absorption features located on the inside of the removable handle, and provides easy hand-gripping surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Veronica Ann Temple
  • Publication number: 20110185520
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a body, a brush head, and a neck extending between the body and the brush head. The toothbrush also has a massaging element, a plurality of bristles, and a plurality of massaging tips. The brush head has a front face and a rear face. The massaging element is disposed on the rear face of the brush head, while the plurality of bristles and the plurality of massaging tips extend from the front face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 7987549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner with a golf massage club, including a handle (4), a cleaner body (3) connected to the first end of the handle (4), and a suction head (1) connected to the head of the cleaner body (3), wherein a golf massage head (5) is connected to the second end of the handle (4). With the vacuum cleaner of the invention, the user can use the handle for human body massage when the vacuum cleaner is not in use. The vacuum cleaner of the invention is of compact structure and multiple functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Yathung Tam
  • Patent number: 7988238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element, which consists of a hard material, and is connected to the head part. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Reto Strähler
  • Patent number: 7975343
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a loop arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice, a central cleaning element disposed within the loop, two opposing arcuate cleaning elements disposed on opposite sides of the loop, peripheral cleaning element with a stepped and tapered construction, elongate distal cleaning elements, and proximal cleaning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Kenneth Waguespack, Steven M. Sorrel, Bruce M. Russell
  • Patent number: 7975344
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element which consists of a hard material and is connected to the head part. A process for producing such a toothbrush is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, Alexander T. Chenvainu
  • Patent number: 7962991
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a loop arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice, a central cleaning element disposed within the loop, two opposing arcuate cleaning elements disposed on opposite sides of the loop, peripheral cleaning element with a stepped and tapered construction, elongate distal cleaning elements, and proximal cleaning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 7958589
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 7954191
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head having a prophylaxis polishing cup closely surrounded by cleaning elements in the form of a bristle ring extending above the upper surface of the cup. Alternatively, the cups could be in the form of arrays of densely packed cleaning elements. The area formed by these configurations retains toothpaste on the toothbrush during use. Additional cleaning elements may be arranged about the periphery of the toothbrush head. The toothbrush may be a powered toothbrush wherein the cups and/or bristle rings rotate, oscillate or reciprocate to better clean teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 7950100
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 7934284
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member, a resilient member extending from the support member, and a plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the support member and at least partially surrounding the member. The resilient member may be cup-shaped, fan-shaped, or textured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 7908699
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Thomas Mintel, Armin Baertschi
  • Patent number: 7861356
    Abstract: A brush head of compact design, which includes a bristle carrier having secured to it bristles, and an elastic element for holding an oral, dental and/or gingival cleaning and/or care substance. The elastic element is joined to the bristle carrier by means of a support element. The bristle carrier is made of a first plastic, the support element of a second plastic, and the elastic element of a third plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Braun, GmbH
    Inventors: Ivo Kunath, Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20100275397
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a handle and a head having a flexible support from which cleaning elements extend. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle; a flexible support attached to the head and having a face; a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the flexible support and projecting outwardly from the face, the cleaning elements including bristles and wall-like elements and being movable in the outward direction from the head; wherein the cleaning elements comprise a row of first cleaning elements substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the head and traversing a central region of the flexible support; and wherein some of the wall-like cleaning elements laterally radiate from the central region of the flexible support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Moskovich, John J. Gatzemeyer, Bruce Russell, Peter Andersen, Luca Casini, John Hancock, Douglas Hohlbein, Eduardo Jimenez, Thomas Küchler, Tanja Langgner, Thomas Mintel, Michael Rooney, Alan V. Sorrentino, Joachim Storz
  • Patent number: 7814604
    Abstract: A contact device with resilient contact elements is disclosed. The resilient contact elements have primary structures and secondary structures. The primary structures and secondary structures have contact surfaces for engaging a working surface. The primary structures are preferably molded structures with hardness value between 10 to 90 Shores A. The secondary structures are nodules, squeegees, arrays of nodules or squeegees and matrices but are preferably bristle structures formed from plastic resins, wherein the device is configured clean dentition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7814603
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush system or toothbrush head is disclosed. The cleaning head in accordance with the embodiments of the invention includes at least one movable section that is configured to rotate, vibrate, oscillate or a combination thereof and has at least one prophy-cup structure and/or one or more polishing elements protruding therefrom. Preferably, the cleaning head also includes bristle tufts. The cleaning head can be configured to detachably couple to a motorized handle. The motorized handle can include a rechargeable battery that is configured to couple to a recharging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7725980
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The hard material provides good stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Robert Moskovich
  • Patent number: 7721376
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Thomas E. Mintel, Robert Moskovich, Armin Baertschi
  • Patent number: 7712175
    Abstract: The invention is directed to toothbrushes that include a handle, a neck a head, and a polishing member attached to the head, where the polishing member includes a base proximate the backside of the head and a plurality of projections of sufficient size and shape and disposed in a pattern on the base that are effective to provide polishing of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen John Blanchard, Bethann O'Malley, Justin McDonough
  • Patent number: 7707676
    Abstract: The toothbrush of the present invention comprises an elongated handle having a head attached to one end. The head has a bristle-bearing face having longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent longitudinal edges and at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the longitudinal perimeter portions. The brush can comprise further massaging elements which are not located along the longitudinal perimeter portions though the use of such additional elements is preferably minimized. The perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of 120° or less, preferably being circular. The cross-sectional area proportion of elastomeric massaging elements to bristles on the brush head is less than 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Sanjay Amratlal Solanki
  • Patent number: 7607189
    Abstract: An oral care implement including a handle and a head with a tongue cleanser. The tongue cleanser has at least one ridge which is at least as wide as it is high. In one preferred construction, the ridges are shaped so as to define a concave surface facing generally toward the handle. The ridges also preferably include aligned segments from front to back that are oriented at different angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive
    Inventor: Robert Moskovich
  • Patent number: 7594293
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The hard material provides good stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    Inventors: Swanson Xi, James Mei, Robert Moskovich, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Thomas Mintel
  • Publication number: 20090234253
    Abstract: A hairbrush includes a control panel, an interior vibratory element for providing massage therapy and a plurality of LEDs carried by the brush head for providing light therapy at a preselected wavelength selected to be of benefit to the hair and/or scalp. In response to user control input mode selection, the light and massage multi-therapy hairbrush selectively provides phototherapy, massage therapy, and combined massage and phototherapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Rudy A. Vandenbelt, Troy Gene Anderson, Bi-Chieh Lino
  • Patent number: 7562411
    Abstract: A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090172902
    Abstract: A multiple, disposable, biodegradable dental implement system in which a plurality of disposable, flat dental implements are formed from a large planar blank. Each dental implement includes a flat toothbrush head and a flat gum massager head formed on opposite ends of a flat elongated shank. Adjacent implements are formed in the blank by perforation lines that allow the implements to be individually detached from the blank just prior to use. In the preferred embodiment, each toothbrush head includes a plurality of concave ridges formed while the gum massaging head is made of a plurality of convex curved ridges complimentary with the concave ridges on the adjacent toothbrush. The planar blank is made of disposable paper and embedded with dry toothpaste or mouthwash which is activated by the user's saliva when used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Cullup
  • Patent number: 7549187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Philipp Pfenniger, Franz Fischer
  • Patent number: 7546658
    Abstract: A toothbrush head having elastomeric oral hygiene parts in the form of elastomeric strips aligned non-perpendicular to the length direction of the head. Preferably adjacent pairs of strips are linked to form a strip of “V” cross section. Preferably the head comprises flexibly linked segments and is flexibly linked to the toothbrush handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Koeth, Wolf-Dieter Mueller, Klaus Reinbold, Thomas Clos, Andreas Lanvers, Christoph Geiberger
  • Patent number: 7520571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element, which consists of a hard material, and is connected to the head part. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Reto Strähler
  • Publication number: 20090094768
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a radial array arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice. A radial array may be strategically disposed in an off-axis arrangement within other cleaning elements on the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Thomas Mintel, Bruce Russell, Kenneth Waguespack, Urs Troxler
  • Publication number: 20090044357
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle and a head attached to the handle. The head has a top face and a bottom face, wherein the top face comprises a plurality of cleaning members and the bottom face comprises an elastomeric surface. The elastomeric surface forms a hill and wherein the hill comprises a plurality of protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20090025162
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a body, a brush head, and a neck extending between the body and the brush head. The toothbrush also has a massaging element, a plurality of bristles, and a plurality of massaging tips. The brush head has a front face and a rear face. The massaging element is disposed on the rear face of the brush head, while the plurality of bristles and the plurality of massaging tips extend from the front face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20090013484
    Abstract: A toothbrush including a head having an elastomeric support member is described herein. The elastomeric support member supports a plurality of upstanding projections. At least a portion of the upstanding projections include non-elastomeric projections and elastomeric projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Roberts, Thomas Craig Masterman, Edward H. Park, Scott Batson, Philip Sweeney, Mingchih M. Tseng, Stephen C. Witkus
  • Patent number: 7458647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element, which consists of a hard material, and is connected to the head part. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Reto Strähler
  • Patent number: 7448108
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided and includes a handle portion having a neck formed at one end and a head coupled to neck. The head includes a first carrier that is coupled to the head and is operatively connected to a first drive for moving the first carrier in a first direction. The first carrier has bristles, elastomeric cleaning members, or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom. The head also includes a second carrier that is coupled to the head and is in selective engagement with a protrusion extending in a recess defined by the first carrier to impart movement in a second direction. The second carrier has bristles, elastomeric cleaning members or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the first carrier oscillates in a rotational direction and the second carrier moves in a direction parallel to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo J. Jimenez, Eyal Eliav
  • Patent number: 7445295
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. The at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element, which consists of a hard material, and is connected to the head part. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Reto Strähler
  • Patent number: 7434288
    Abstract: A contact device with resilient contact elements is disclosed. The resilient contact elements have primary structures and secondary structures. The primary structures and secondary structures have contact surfaces for engaging a working surface. The primary structures are preferably molded structures with hardness value between 10 to 90 Shores A. The secondary structures are nodules, squeegees, arrays of nodules or squeegees and matrices but are preferably bristle structures formed from plastic resins, wherein the device is configured clean dentition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7418759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush with a neck piece and a brush body, comprising a head piece connected thereto, conventional bristles and at least one soft elastic cleaning element. According to the invention, the conventional bristles are mounted on a support element made from hard plastic. The above is connected to the brush body by means of a recess on the head piece which matches the support element. The at least one cleaning element is arranged on the head piece and directly connected to the brush body. The invention further relates to a method for production of such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Beat Huber, Franz Fischer
  • Publication number: 20080201879
    Abstract: The present invention is a foot cleaning device for accommodating a foot and thoroughly cleaning the foot positioned within the device. The foot cleaning device has a foot receptacle, scrub brushes, roller brushes, a liquid dispensing assembly for carrying water and soap into the receptacle, and spray jets attachable to the liquid dispensing assembly for dispersing the water and soap throughout the receptacle. The scrub brushes are distributed throughout the foot receptacle for allowing the user to clean his or her feet. The roller brushes are positioned along the bottom of the foot receptacle for massaging, cleaning, and supporting the user's foot within the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Darwin Heidemeyer,
  • Publication number: 20080184511
    Abstract: An oral hygiene implement includes a cleaning element carrier and a body. The body has a proximal end and a distal end. The cleaning element carrier has a first area and a second area wherein the second area is disposed inboard of the first area. The first area is attached to the body while the second area is unattached to the body. A bending element is disposed between the first area and the second area, thereby allowing the second area to bend/flex while the first area stays fixed to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: William Ralph Brown, Karen Lynn Claire-Zimmet, Soeren Jan Wasow, Steffi Raehse, Tilmann Winkler
  • Patent number: RE42985
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush having a handle and a head part, on which bristle filaments and at least one flexible cleaning element are arranged. According to the invention, the at least one flexible cleaning element is arranged on a carrier element which consists of a hard material and is connected to the head part. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Reto Strahler