Toothbrush
A toothbrush includes a head and a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head. The head is divided into at least two portions which can be moved independent of each other. The tooth cleaning element is rotatable relative to that portion of the head from which it extends. A vibrator vibrates the head and tooth cleaning element.
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Cross-reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/389,448 filed on Mar. 14, 2003 which is assigned to The Gillette Company.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates generally to the field of oral care, and in particular to toothbrushes. More specifically, the invention relates to a toothbrush that vibrates.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONU.S. Pat. No. 5,987,681 discloses an electric toothbrush with a handles a brush head and a shank which connects the handle to the brush head. A rotary motor is arranged in the handle and drives an unbalanced mass. The unbalanced mass driven by the motor is supported on one side or on both sides in the shank close to the brush head and is driven by an extended drive shaft, preferably an intermediate shaft, by the motor. When the motor is operated the toothbrush head vibrates.
The toothbrush disclosed in the '681 patent is typical of vibrating toothbrushes in that the features on the head of the toothbrush are fairly standard. For example, the bristles 21 on the head 2 are arranged in tufts lined up in straight rows and columns. The free ends of the bristles define a fairly flat surface. The vibrating aspect of the toothbrush has not been combined with any other more advanced head features to enhance cleaning of the oral cavity.
A Japanese patent document having an application number of 3-312978 discloses a toothbrush having a multiplicity of tufts of nylon bristles. In a first embodiment shown in
As shown in
The Japanese reference also discloses that the brush head is made of a unitary structure. As such, water cannot flow through any central portion of the brush head, thereby inhibiting the cleanability of the brush. Further, the unitary head structure does not allow different portions of the head to move independently of each other. Accordingly, the bristle tufts extending from the tuft cannot accommodate the varying tooth surfaces as well as a brush in which the head has two or more portions that can move or flex independent of each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush includes a head and a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head. The tooth cleaning element is rotatable relative to that portion of the head from which it extends. The toothbrush further includes a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
According to another aspect of the invention, a toothbrush includes a head which is divided into at least two portions which can be moved independent of each other. The toothbrush also includes a vibrator for vibrating the head.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a toothbrush includes a head and a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head. The head is divided into at least two portions which can be moved independent of each other. The tooth cleaning element is rotatable relative to that portion of the head from which it extends. A vibrator vibrates the head and tooth cleaning element.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 16A-C are sectional views of
Beginning with
Split 18 can also be defined as an opening in the head between head portions 20 and 22. This opening allows water to flow through the head, thereby enhancing cleaning of the top head surface which typically gets caked with toothpaste in spite of efforts to rinse the head clean.
Head portion 20 includes a projecting part 24 which fits (at least partially) into a recess 26 (see
Referring now to
A second group of tufts are pivoting tufts 30 (the only tufts on the head which are rotatable). There are four tufts 30 on each head portion 20, 22 which are located towards the outside of the head. Each tuft 30 can pivot up to about 15 degrees to either side of a vertical position on the head, more preferably being able to pivot up to about 8 degrees to either side of a vertical position on the head. The pivoting of tufts 30 is roughly towards or away from neck 14. Each tuft 30 includes a base support 32 made of polypropylene. The bristles are made of polyamide 6.12, have a diameter of 0.008 inches and extend 0.420 inches above the base support.
A third group of tufts 34 extend perpendicular to the head. There are four tufts 34 on each head portion 20, 22 which alternate with tufts 30. When viewed from the top (
A fourth group of tufts 36 are located towards the inside of the head. There are two such tufts on each head portion 20, 22. Each tuft 36 extends perpendicular to the head. The bristles of tuft 36 have a diameter of 0.006 inches, are made of polyamide 6.12 and rise about 0.360 inches above the head.
A fifth and final group of tufts 38 are also located towards the inside of the head (away from a perimeter 21 of the head). There are 4 pairs of tufts 38. In each pair one tuft is closer to neck 14 than the other tuft. In each pair of tufts 38, (a) a base of one tuft is closer to a first side of the head and this one tuft leans towards a second side of the head, and (b) a base of the other tuft is closer to the second side of the head and this other tuft leans towards the first side of the head. As such, the tufts in each pair lean across each other. The angle of tilt towards the side of the head is about five degrees. Each tuft 38 bristles which are made of PBT, have a bristle diameter of about 0.007 inches and extend about 0.460 inches above head 16. Each tuft 38 has an oval cross-section with a long dimension of the oval being oriented in the direction of tilt.
The bristles used on the head can be crimped (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,541) or notched (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,840). Other types of tooth cleaners besides bristles can be used. For example, a tuft of bristles could be replaced by an elastomeric fin. The US patents listed in this paragraph are incorporated herein by reference.
Turning now to
Briefly, hot-tufting involves presenting ends of a multiplicity of groups of plastic filaments into a mold. Each group of filament ends inside the mold is optionally melted into a blob. Each filament group is cut to a desired length (either before or after being introduced into the mold) to form a tuft of bristles. The mold is closed and molten plastic is injected into the mold. When the plastic solidifies, it locks one end of the tufts of bristles into the head of the toothbrush.
It can be seen in
With reference to
Pressure 44 is then applied to head portions 20, 22 to move the portions towards each other. Once head portions 20, 22 are in the position shown in
In order to achieve short process times, the highest temperature heat source which will not damage the plastic should be used. If too hot a heat source is used and/or if the heat is applied for too long, the plastic can be damaged. If the heat source is not hot enough, the process will take too long and/or head portions 20, 22 will not remain in their final desired positions. If the head/neck are made of polypropylene and hot air is used to heat the neck, (a) the heated air should be at a temperature of about 170 degrees centigrade and should be applied to the neck for about 70 seconds, (b) the polypropylene should be raised to a temperature of about 140 degrees centigrade, and (c) a nozzle which applies the hot air to the neck should be about 10 mm from the neck.
If copolyester or polyurethane is used as the material for the head neck, (a) the heated air should be at a temperature of 250 degrees centigrade and should be applied to the neck for about 10 seconds, (b) the material should be raised to a temperature of preferably 95-100 degrees centigrade, and (c) a nozzle which applies the hot air to the neck should be about 15-20 mm from the neck.
Heating the respective materials above for the time indicated allows the material to be softened and mechanically bent into its final form. Exceeding the heating times above could cause the material to overheat and become damaged.
Turning to
Tuft 30 can also be made by a hot-tufting type process as described above. Instead of injecting plastic into the mold to form a toothbrush handle, neck and head, the plastic is injected into a mold to form base support 48 and anchor pivot 50, capturing bristles 46 when the injected plastic cools.
With reference to
Turning now to
Referring to
As shown in
Turning to
As shown in
When the on/off switch is depressed a first time, an electrical circuit between battery 94 and motor 96 is completed causing the motor to rotate shaft 100. The shaft preferably rotates at between about 9700-12,400 rpm. Weight 98 is thus also rotated. As the weight is eccentrically mounted, rotating the weight causes a vibration which is transmitted to handle 92, head 90 and the tooth cleaning elements on the head.
One type of motor which can be used is a P/N Q6DL-2.6A with a # 17 counterweight attached. This motor was bought from Jin Long Machinery, 640 Dean Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11238 (718.783.2328). Also see www.vibratormotor.com.
It should be noted that tooth cleaning elements 28 (
All of tooth cleaning elements 28, 30, 34, 36 and 38 also have a non-circular cross-sections (see
As shown in
Further, one or more of these tooth cleaning elements can be replaced by a tooth cleaning element which is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer tooth cleaning element can be a unitary structure, or it can be made up of a number of substructures. For example, the thermoplastic elastomer element could be a large unitary bristle (i.e. a nub) or it could have a number of smaller bristles (e.g. a tuft of bristles). The element could also be in the shape of a fin (as in
Different types of bristles which can be used on the toothbrush are bristles which (a) are tapered at their free end, (b) are flagged at their free end, (c) are hollow (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,769), (d) are crimped (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,541), (e) have a cross-shaped or triangular cross-section, (f) are flocked, or (g) are notched (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,840).
A tuft of bristles can alternatively have bristles made of different materials (e.g. some bristles made of nylon and other bristles made of polybutylene terepthalate) or bristles having different diameters.
Further, the plastic head can alternatively be covered partially or completely in a thermoplastic elastomer which acts to protect the teeth and gums from the plastic head. This results in a head made of two materials. Additional types of materials could also be provided on the head.
The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head, the tooth cleaning element being rotatable relative to that portion of the head from which it extends; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the vibrator includes an electric motor.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2, wherein the electric motor has an eccentric weight secured to an output shaft of the motor which causes vibration when the motor is energized to rotate the output shaft.
4. The toothbrush of claim 2, further comprising a battery for providing electrical power to the motor.
5. The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the battery is a non-rechargeable, disposable battery.
6. The toothbrush of claim 2, further comprising a switch for controlling a flow of electricity to the electric motor.
7. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the tooth cleaning element is a tuft of bristles.
8. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the tooth cleaning element is a fin made of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic, rubber and combinations thereof.
9. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the tooth cleaning element has a range of rotation of up to about 30 degrees.
10. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the tooth cleaning element can rotate up to about 15 degrees to either side of a vertical position in which the element is perpendicular to a top surface of the portion of the head from which it extends.
11. The toothbrush of claim 1, further including one or more stationary tooth cleaning elements which substantially cannot be rotated.
12. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a portion of the head limits rotation of the tooth cleaning element.
13. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein there is no portion of the toothbrush itself which rotates the tooth cleaning element.
14. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the tooth cleaning element is supported for rotation primarily about only one axis.
15. The toothbrush of claim 14, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the element.
16. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the tooth cleaning element is rotatable independent of any other tooth cleaning elements on the head.
17. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head which is divided into at least two portions which can be moved independent of each other; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head.
18. The toothbrush of claim 17, further including one or more stationary tooth cleaning elements which substantially cannot be rotated.
19. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the two portions of the head define an opening in an interior portion of the head such that water can flow through this opening.
20. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein each head portion includes alternating projections and recesses, the projections of each head portion fitting at least partially into the recesses of the other head portion.
21. The toothbrush of claim 20, wherein one of the projections on one of the head portions has at least one tooth cleaning element extending therefrom and is surrounded on three sides by the other head portion.
22. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the vibrator includes an electric motor.
23. The toothbrush of claim 22, wherein the electric motor has an eccentric weight secured to an output shaft of the motor which causes vibration when the motor is energized to rotate the output shaft.
24. The toothbrush of claim 22, further comprising a battery for providing electrical power to the motor.
25. The toothbrush of claim 24, wherein the battery is a non-rechargeable, disposable battery.
26. The toothbrush of claim 22, further comprising a switch for controlling a flow of electricity to the electric motor.
27. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head, the head being divided into at least two portions which can be moved independent of each other, the tooth cleaning element being rotatable relative to that portion of the head from which it extends; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
28. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the vibrator includes an electric motor.
29. The toothbrush of claim 28, wherein the electric motor has an eccentric weight secured to an output shaft of the motor which causes vibration when the motor is energized to rotate the output shaft.
30. The toothbrush of claim 28, further comprising a battery for providing electrical power to the motor.
31. The toothbrush of claim 30, wherein the battery is a non-rechargeable, disposable battery.
32. The toothbrush of claim 28, further comprising a switch for controlling a flow of electricity to the electric motor.
33. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the tooth cleaning element is a tuft of bristles.
34. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the tooth cleaning element is a fin made of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic, rubber and combinations thereof.
35. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the tooth cleaning element has a range of rotation of up to about 30 degrees.
36. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the tooth cleaning element can rotate up to about 15 degrees to either side of a vertical position in which the element is perpendicular to a top surface of the portion of the head from which it extends.
37. The toothbrush of claim 27, further including one or more stationary tooth cleaning elements which substantially cannot be rotated.
38. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein a portion of the head limits rotation of the tooth cleaning element.
39. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein there is no portion of the toothbrush itself which rotates the tooth cleaning element.
40. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the tooth cleaning element is supported for rotation primarily about only one axis.
41. The toothbrush of claim 40, wherein the axis is substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the element.
42. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the tooth cleaning element is rotatable independent of any other tooth cleaning elements on the head.
43. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the two portions of the head define an opening in an interior portion of the head such that water can flow through this opening.
44. The toothbrush of claim 27, further comprising a second tooth cleaning element, wherein one of the two tooth cleaning elements is located on one of the two head portions, and the other of the two tooth cleaning elements is located on the other of the two head portions.
45. The toothbrush of claim 44, wherein both of the tooth cleaning elements are located on the same head portion.
46. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein each head portion includes alternating projections and recesses, the projections of each head portion fitting at least partially into the recesses of the other head portion.
47. The toothbrush of claim 46, wherein one of the projections on one of the head portions has at least one tuft extending therefrom and is surrounded on three sides by the other head portion.
48. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head, the tooth cleaning element being oriented at an acute angle relative to that portion of the top surface of the head from which it projects; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
49. The toothbrush of claim 48, further including one or more additional tooth cleaning elements which extend from the top surface of the head at one or more acute angles, each of the tooth cleaning elements extending at an acute angle which differs from the acute angle of the other tooth cleaning element(s).
50. The toothbrush of claim 48, further including one or more additional tooth cleaning elements each at an acute angle to the top surface of the head, each tooth cleaning element extending in a direction which differs from the direction of the other tooth cleaning element(s).
51. The toothbrush of claim 48, wherein the tooth cleaning element is at an angle of between about 65 to about 85 degrees from the top surface of the head.
52. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head, the tooth cleaning element having a cross-section which is non-circular in shape; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
53. The toothbrush of claim 52, wherein the tooth cleaning element has a cross-section of a prolate ellipsoid with flattened long sides.
54. The toothbrush of claim 52, wherein the tooth cleaning element has a free end that defines a plane which is non-perpendicular to a direction in which the element extends away from head.
55. The toothbrush of claim 52, wherein the tooth cleaning element has a free end that is other than flat in shape.
56. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a top surface of the head, the tooth cleaning elements extending different heights above the top surface of the head; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning elements.
57. The toothbrush of claim 56, wherein the tooth cleaning elements have different cross-sections.
58. The toothbrush of claim 56, wherein the tooth cleaning elements are oriented at different acute angles from each other relative to a top surface of the head.
59. The toothbrush of claim 56, wherein the tooth cleaning elements have different cross-sections, and wherein the tooth cleaning elements are oriented at different acute angles from each other relative to a top surface of the head.
60. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head, the tooth cleaning element being comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
61. The toothbrush of claim 60, wherein the tooth cleaning element is in a form selected from a group of forms consisting of a nub, tuft of bristles, fin, cup and wall.
62. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a tuft of bristles extending from a top surface of the head, the bristles being selected from a group of bristles which (a) are tapered at their free ends, (b) are flagged at their free ends, (c) are hollow, (d) are crimped, (e) have a cross-shaped cross-section, (f) have a triangular cross-section, (g) are flocked, and (h) are notched; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
63. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head;
- a tuft of bristles extending from a top surface of the head, the bristles having different characteristics from each other selected from the group of characteristics consisting of material composition and diameter; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
64. A toothbrush, comprising:
- a head made of two or more different materials;
- a tooth cleaning element extending from a top surface of the head; and
- a vibrator for vibrating the head and tooth cleaning element.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 23, 2004
Publication Date: Oct 27, 2005
Applicant:
Inventors: Phillip Braun (Exeter, RI), Joseph Synodis (Wayland, MA), Ronald Duff (Shrewsbury, MA), Richard Cohen (Sherborn, MA), Thomas Masterman (Brookline, MA)
Application Number: 10/830,693