Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush having a replaceable head section with a plug part which is engageable with a socket in its handle to connect its driveable head to its motor in the handle. The head section has a resiliently deformable end surface, and there is an engaging concavity and convexity in the respective meeting end surfaces of the plug part and the socket. The concavity and convexity engage to facilitate locking together of the head and handle. A separate replaceable head section for such a toothbrush is also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 24, 2001
Date of Patent:
May 29, 2007
Assignee:
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co KG
Abstract: An injection moulding process for making a toothbrush involving a stack mould assembly of at least three mould blocks (1, 2, 3, 4) arranged for use along a longitudinal stack axis (A—A), with two end mould blocks (3, 4), and an intermediate mould block (1, 2), with part mould cavities (11A, 21, 31, 41, 51) in the blocks. Plastic toothbrush skeletons are made in a cavity (11A, 21, 31) between the intermediate block (1, 2) and one end block (3), then elastomer parts are made in a cavity (41, 51) between the intermediate block (1, 2) and the other end block (4). Preferably the intermediate block (1) rotates so its part cavity (11A) faces the other end block (4). Stack mould assemblies (1, 2, 3, 4) for this process are provided. The assembly (1, 2, 3, 4) provides a compact mould with high output.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 2001
Date of Patent:
September 19, 2006
Assignee:
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG
Abstract: A dental cleaning implement such as a toothbrush, having longitudinally disposed first and second parts flexibly joined together. Between the first and second parts is a rotatable member such that when the implement bends the first parts adjacent to the member bear upon the member. The rotatable member has circumferentially disposed relatively softer and harder regions, so that as the member is rotated the parts can be caused to bear compressibly upon selected softer or harder regions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 30, 2000
Date of Patent:
August 8, 2006
Assignee:
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG
Abstract: A toothbrush having a head which carries a dental cleaning tool, and a grip handle, the head and handle being disposed along a longitudinal head-handle axis, the toothbrush having a resiliently flexible structure which can resiliently bend under the action of toothbrushing pressure and having adjustment means comprising a longitudinally moveable stiffening member which can be moved longitudinally into greater or lesser engagement with the resiliently flexible structure.