Personal Care Implement

Abstract

A personal care implement which may include a handle and a head. The handle may have a gripping portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion located between the gripping portion and the neck portion. The thumb grip portion may be formed from a base member and a first grip member. The base member may include a cavity, a front surface having a first opening that forms a passageway into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening. The first grip member may be coupled to the base member. The first grip member may close the first opening in the front surface of the base member and overlie the first cantilevered tab.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/415,741, filed Oct. 13, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Personal care implements such as toothbrushes are commonly formed from plastic. It is now well established that plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues that must be addressed. Plastic does not decompose, and therefore all plastic that has ever been produced is still present in one form or another. While recycling has made a small impact on the reduction of plastics in landfills and oceans, there remains far too much plastic in the products used by consumers in everyday life. Furthermore, plastic is made from materials that include coal, salt, crude oil, and toxic materials such as benzene and vinyl hydrochloride. Many goods manufacturers are therefore working to reduce their plastic output to reduce the amount of plastic sitting in landfills and oceans. The invention described herein seeks to address these issues by reducing the amount of plastic in personal care implements such as toothbrushes without negatively affecting consumer enjoyment during use of the same. The invention described herein also provides a new and improved grip feel while maintaining a familiar exterior appearance for the personal care implement.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a personal care implement which may include a handle and a head. The handle may have a gripping portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion located between the gripping portion and the neck portion. The thumb grip portion may be formed from a base member and a first grip member. The base member may include a cavity, a front surface having a first opening that forms a passageway into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening. The first grip member may be coupled to the base member. The first grip member may close the first opening in the front surface of the base member and overlie the first cantilevered tab.

In one aspect, the invention may be a personal care implement comprising: a handle comprising a gripping portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion located between the gripping portion and the neck portion, the thumb grip portion comprising: a base member comprising a cavity, a front surface having a first opening that forms a passageway into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening; and a first grip member coupled to the base member, the first grip member closing the first opening in the front surface of the base member and overlying the first cantilevered tab.

In another aspect, the invention may be a personal care implement comprising: a handle comprising a longitudinal axis, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a cavity having a first opening in the front surface, and a first tab extending across at least a portion of the first opening; a first elastomeric membrane coupled to the handle, the first elastomeric membrane closing the first opening and overlying the first tab; and wherein the first tab is configured to flex into the cavity upon application of a first force onto the first elastomeric membrane in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal care implement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the personal care implement of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the personal care implement of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 4A is a front view of a rigid base member of the personal care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a close-up view of area IV of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a rear view of the rigid base member of the personal care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a close-up view of area V of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, a personal care implement 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplified embodiment, the personal care implement 100 is a toothbrush, and more particularly a manual toothbrush. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the personal care implement 100 may take on other forms and be used for other purposes in other embodiments. For example, the personal care implement 100 may be an electric toothbrush in some alternative embodiments. In still other embodiments, the personal care implement 100 may perform other functions, such as being a flosser device, a tooth scraper, a tongue cleaner, or any of the various other tools that are commonly used for oral care. In yet other embodiments, the personal care implement 100 may be an implement used for personal care unrelated to the mouth, such as being a razor, an applicator, a hairbrush, or the like. The invention described herein relates predominately to the handle of the personal care implement 100, and thus the invention can be incorporated into implements of varying types which have handles for gripping regardless of the functional task for which the implement is used.

The personal care implement 100 comprises a rigid body 101 that extends from a top end 102 to a bottom end 103 along a longitudinal axis A-A. In the exemplified embodiment, the rigid body 101 forms a handle 110 and a head 120 of the personal care implement 100. The handle 110 of the personal care implement 100 is the portion that is gripped by a user during use, and the head 120 of the personal care implement is the portion that performs a particular function, such as tooth cleaning, shaving, application of a composition onto a surface, hair brushing, etc. In the exemplified embodiment, the head 120 is formed integrally with the handle 110 as a single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process. However, in other embodiments the handle 110 and the head 120 may be formed as separate components which are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, or fasteners. In still other embodiments, the head 120 may be detachable from the handle 110 such that replacement or refill heads may be utilized to prolong the lifespan of the handle 110 and/or enable the use of different heads with different functional components (different bristle configurations, or even different uses such as a toothbrush head and a shaver head).

The head 120 comprises a front surface 121 and a rear surface 122 opposite the front surface 121. In the exemplified embodiment, the personal care implement 100 is a toothbrush and as such the head 120 of the personal care implement 100 is provided with a generic block that illustrates tooth cleaning elements 123 extending therefrom. In particular, the tooth cleaning elements 123 are coupled to the head 120 and extend from the front surface 121 of the head 120. The exact structure, pattern, orientation and material of the tooth cleaning elements 123 is not to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments. As used herein, the term “tooth cleaning elements” is used in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean, polish or wipe the teeth and/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) through relative surface contact. Common examples of “tooth cleaning elements” include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of the tooth or soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used.

The tooth cleaning elements 123 of the present invention can be connected to the head 120 in any manner known in the art. For example, staples/anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT), anchor free tufting (AFT), or pressure, temperature, time (PTT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements/tooth engaging elements. In AFT, a plate or membrane is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the plate or membrane. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored in place. In PTT, the filaments are arranged in a tuft pattern, and then the individual filaments are melted together to form tufts that have a mushroom shaped end. The tufts are then inserted into pre-cored holes of a toothbrush head. Next, pressure and heat are applied for a particular amount of time, during which the surface of the brush head shapes itself to enclose the mushroom shaped ends of the tufts, thereby holding them firmly. Alternatively, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block. Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of this invention.

In certain embodiments, the head 120 may also include a soft tissue cleaner coupled to or positioned on its rear surface 122. An example of a suitable soft tissue cleaner that may be used with the present invention and positioned on the rear surface 122 of the head 120 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,462, issued Dec. 5, 2006 to the assignee of the present application, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In certain other embodiments, the soft tissue cleaner may include protuberances, which can take the form of elongated ridges, nubs, or combinations thereof. An example of a soft tissue cleaner 124 is depicted in FIG. 5A. The soft tissue cleaner 124 comprises a pad portion and a plurality of nubs protruding from the pad portion. The soft tissue cleaner 124 may be formed entirely from a thermoplastic elastomer or other elastomeric material. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited and in certain embodiments the personal care implement 100 may not include any soft tissue cleanser, or a soft tissue cleaner formed by ridges, nubs, grooves, or the like may be formed directly into the hard plastic of the rigid body 101.

The rigid body 101 may be formed of a rigid plastic material, such as for example without limitation polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate. Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the rigid body 101 may be formed from other materials, such as wood, metal, or the like in various other embodiments. The handle 110 may be formed with a resilient material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, over portions of or the entirety of the rigid body 101 to enhance the gripability of the handle 110 during use. For example, portions of the rigid body 101 that are typically gripped by a user's fingers and/or palm during use may be overmolded with a thermoplastic elastomer or other resilient material to further increase comfort to a user. Certain details related to this will be described below.

The handle 110 of the personal care implement 100 may comprise a gripping portion 111, a neck portion 112, and a thumb grip portion 113. The thumb grip portion 113 may be located axially between the gripping portion 111 and the neck portion 112. The gripping portion 111 may comprise the bottom end 103 of the body 101 and may extend to a bottom end the thumb grip portion 113. The neck portion 112 may extend from a top end of the thumb grip portion 113 to the head 120. Each of the gripping, neck, and thumb grip portions 111, 112, 113 may form an axial section of the handle 110, with the thumb grip portion 113 being located axially in between the gripping and neck portions 111, 112. There is no technical distinguishment between the gripping, neck, and thumb grip portions 111, 112, 113, other than the fact that the gripping portion 111 is where the user's fingers generally wrap around the handle 110 during use, the thumb grip portion 113 is where the user's thumb is positioned along the handle 110, and the neck portion 112 is connected directly to the head 120. Generally the gripping portion 111 has a greater length than cach of the thumb grip and neck portions 112, 113, and the thumb grip and neck portions 112, 113 may be similar (plus or minus up to a 10% differential).

The handle 110 may comprise a front surface 115 and a rear surface 116 opposite the front surface 115. The handle 110 may comprise at least one grip member along the thumb grip portion 113 thereof to enhance the gripability of the handle 110 and user comfort during use of the personal care implement 110. For example, the handle 110 may comprise a first grip member 140 located on or along the front surface 115 of the handle 110. The handle 110 may also comprise a second grip member 150 (only barely visible in FIG. 1, but refer to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7 for a better depiction) located on or along the rear surface 116 of the handle 110. One of the first and second grip members 140, 150 may be omitted in alternative embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the personal care implement 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the thumb grip portion 112 of the handle 110 may comprise a base member 130 which is formed from the rigid body 101, the first grip member 140, and the second grip member 150. The base member 130 may be the portion of the rigid body 101 which is located along the thumb grip portion 112 of the handle 110. The base member 130 may comprise a front surface 131 and a rear surface 132 that is opposite the front surface 131. The front surface 131 of the base member 130 is a portion of the front surface 115 of the handle 110 located along the thumb grip portion 113 and the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 is a portion of the rear surface 116 of the handle 110 located along the thumb grip portion 113. The first grip member 140 may be coupled to the front surface 131 of the base member 130. The second grip member 150 may be coupled to the rear surface 132 of the base member 130. Each of the first and second grip members 140, 150 may be formed from an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, rubber, or the like. The first and second grip members 140, 150 may facilitate an enhancement in a user's grip on the handle 110 during use of the personal care implement 100.

The base member 130 of the handle 100 may comprise a cavity 133. The base member 130 of the handle 100 may comprise a first opening 134 on the front surface 131 that forms a passageway into the cavity 133. The base member 130 of the handle 100 may also comprise a second opening 135 on the rear surface 132 that forms a passageway into the cavity 133. The second opening 135 is barely perceptible in FIG. 2, but is better seen in FIGS. 3, 5A, and 5B. Thus, the cavity 133 and each of the first and second openings 134, 135 may collectively form a through-hole that extends from the front surface 131 of the base member 130 to the rear surface 132 of the base member 130. However, it should be appreciated that the second opening 135 may be omitted in some embodiments such that the cavity 133 may comprise a floor that faces the first opening 134, rather than the cavity 133 extending through the entire thickness of the base member 130 of the handle 100.

The first and second grip members 140, 150 may be injection molded onto the base member 130 of the handle 110 during manufacture of the personal care implement 100. That is, the base member 130 may be formed first via an injection molding or other process, and then the first and second grip members 140, 150 may be injection molded onto the pre-formed base member 130 in a second step of an injection molding process. The first grip member 140 may be coupled to the base member 130 of the handle 100 and positioned to close the first opening 134 in the front surface 131 of the base member 130 of the handle 100. The second grip member 150 may be coupled to the base member 130 of the handle 100 and positioned to close the second opening 135 in the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 of the handle 100. As mentioned herein, in some embodiments the second opening 135 and the second grip member 150 may be omitted.

The first and second grip members 140, 150 are separate and distinct from one another and are maintained spaced apart from one another even when coupled to the base member 130. That is, the elastomeric material which forms the first and second grip members 140, 150 does not extend through the cavity 133. Rather, the cavity 133 is a hollow, air-filled spaced located between the first and second grip members 140, 150. An axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A would intersect each of the first and second grip members 140, 150 as well as the air within the cavity 133 between the first and second grip members, as best shown in FIG. 7.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second grip members 140, 150 are films or sheets or membranes of an elastomeric material. The terms “film,” “sheet,” and “membrane” are intended to mean that the first and second grip members 140, 150 are thin, flexible, pliable sheets of material. In fact, if the first and second grip members 140, 150 were detached from the rigid body 101 of the handle 110, a user may be able to easily fold them entirely in half. Of course, the exact thickness of the grip members 140, 150 may determine how easily they are folded, but in any case, the “membranes” are somewhat thin as opposed to being full bulbous bodies that fill the entirety of a hole or cavity. Thus, while the first grip member 140 covers and closes the first opening 134 and the second grip member 150 covers and closes the second opening 135, neither of the first and second grip members 140, 150 extends substantially into the cavity 133. Rather, the first and second grip members 140, 150 are located generally externally relative to the cavity 133. The first and second grip members 140, 150 are rather thin, having a thickness of no more than 3 mm, or no more than 2 mm. This provides the first and second grip members 140, 150 with a great deal of flexibility.

The first grip member 140 comprises an inner surface 141 and an outer surface 142. The inner surface 141 of the first grip member 140 faces the cavity 133 when the first grip member 140 is coupled to the front surface 131 of the body member 130. The outer surface 142 of the first grip member 140 is an exterior surface that is exposed to a user. The outer surface 142 of the first grip member 140 may be flush with the front surface 131 of the base member 130 along a periphery of the first grip member 140 to enhance user comfort by creating a seamless exterior. The first grip member 140 may comprise one or more gripping features 143 on the outer surface 142. In the exemplified embodiment, the one or more gripping features 143 comprises a plurality of nubs or protuberances that protrude from the outer surface 143 of the first grip member 140. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the one or more gripping features 143 may comprise ridges, indents, recesses, grooves, or various other features which may enhance a user's grip during use of the personal care implement 100.

The second grip member 150 comprises an inner surface 151 and an outer surface 152. The inner surface 151 of the second grip member 150 faces the cavity 133 when the second grip member 150 is coupled to the rear surface 132 of the body member 130. Thus, the inner surfaces 141, 151 of the first and second grip members 140, 150 face one another. The outer surface 152 of the second grip member 150 is an exterior surface that is exposed to a user. The outer surface 152 of the second grip member 150 may be flush with the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 along a periphery of the second grip member 150 to enhance user comfort by creating a seamless exterior. The second grip member 150 may comprise one or more gripping features 153 on the outer surface 152. In the exemplified embodiment, the one or more gripping features 153 comprises a plurality of nubs or protuberances that protrude from the outer surface 153 of the second grip member 150. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the one or more gripping features 153 may comprise ridges, indents, recesses, grooves, or various other features which may enhance a user's grip during use of the personal care implement 100. In some embodiments, the gripping features 143, 153 may be omitted and the texture of the outer surfaces 142, 152 of the first and second grip members 140, 150 may be sufficient to enhance the grip and comfort.

Because the first and second grip members 140, 150 are formed as films or membranes of elastomeric material, they may not extend into the cavity 133, which results in a reduction in material needed to form the personal care implement 100. This also allows for the first and second grip members 140, 150 to have flexibility, in that a force applied thereon in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A may cause the first and second grip members 140, 150 to flex inwardly towards and/or into the cavity 133. In some embodiments, the first and second grip members 140, 150 may extend some depth into the cavity 133, but they do not fill the cavity 133 completely and the inner surfaces 141, 151 thereof remain spaced apart from one another to allow the first and second grip members 140, 150 to flex inwardly towards one another during use.

Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments the gripping and thumb grip portions 111, 113 of the handle 110 of the personal care implement 100 may be hollow. The handle 110 may comprise a main structural body 160 and a cover member 170 which collectively form the rigid body 101. The main structural body 160 and the cover member 170 may be formed separately from one another and then later coupled together via adhesives, welding, or the like. The main structural body 160 and the cover member 170 may be formed from the same hard plastic material or from different hard plastic materials, such as any of the materials noted above. The main structural body 160 may comprise a front surface 161 having a recess 162 that extends from a floor 163 to a front opening 164 located along the front surface 161. The recess 162 may extend along the gripping and thumb grip portions of the handle 110 as shown. The second opening 135 described above may be formed into the floor 163 of the recess 162 along the thumb grip region 113 of the handle 110.

The cover member 170 may be coupled to the main structural body 160 to close the front opening 164 of the recess 162. The cover member 170 may be coupled to the main structural body 160 using various techniques, such as ultrasonic welding, adhesives, mechanical interlock, or the like. When the cover member 170 is coupled to the main structural body 160, the recess 162 remains such that the interior of the handle 110 along the gripping and thumb grip portions 111, 113 of the handle 110 remain hollow. This facilitates a reduction in the amount of plastic needed to manufacture the personal care implement 100. Furthermore, the cavity 133 also exists as part of the recess 162 located along the thumb grip portion 113 of the handle 110. The cavity 133 may extend from the first opening 134 in the cover member 170 to the second opening 135 in the floor 163 of the recess 162 of the main structural body 160. Thus, the cavity 133 may form a through-hole as previously mentioned.

In this embodiment, the first opening 134 is formed into the cover member 170 and the second opening 135 is formed into the main structural body 160. However, when the cover member 170 is coupled to the main structural body 160, the personal care implement 100 appears exactly as shown in FIG. 1. That is, forming the personal care implement 100 with the main structural body 160 and the cover member 170 facilitates the reduction in material by way of the hollow interior due to the recess 162. However, on the exterior the personal care implement 100 has the same appearance regardless of whether it is formed as a one-piece structure or from the combination of the main structural body 160 and the cover member 170. Of course, modifications as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may also be incorporated into FIG. 3, such as omission of the second opening 135 and/or the second grip member 150.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, additional details regarding the base member 130 of the thumb grip portion 113 of the handle 110 will be described (as noted above, the base member 130 may be the portion of the rigid body 101 located along the thumb grip region 113 of the handle 110). In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first grip member 140 is omitted so that the structural details of the base member 130 can be seen and described. As noted above, the first opening 134 in the front surface 131 of the base member 130 of the handle 110 is located along the thumb grip region 113 of the handle 110. The first opening 134 provides a passageway into the cavity 133 as previously noted. Furthermore, the base member 130 comprises a first tab 180 extending across at least a portion of the first opening 134. When the first grip member 140 is coupled to the base member 130, the first grip member 140 overlies and covers the first tab 180 (see, for example, FIGS. 6 and 7).

The first tab 180 may be a first cantilevered tab in that the first tab 180 may extend over the cavity 133 in a cantilevered manner. Specifically, the first tab 180 comprises a first end 181 and a second end 182. The first opening 134 may be defined or surrounded by an annular edge 138. The term annular edge is not limited to a circular shaped edge, but may include a closed geometric shaped edge having any of a variety of different shapes, including square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or the like. Thus, the term annular edge refers to any edge which surrounds the first opening 134, regardless of the shape of the first opening 134. In the exemplified embodiment, the first opening 134 has an oval shape, although the invention is not to be so limited and other shapes including triangular, circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, irregular, etc. may be used in other embodiments.

The first end 181 of the first tab 180 is coupled directly to the annular edge 138 of the first opening 134. The first tab 180 may then extend from the annular edge 138 into and at least partially across the first opening 134. In the exemplified embodiment the first tab 180 is cantilevered such that the second end 182 of the first tab 180 is spaced apart from the annular edge 138 by a gap 189. Thus, the first tab 180 may extend across less than the entirety of the first opening 134. By forming the first tab 180 as a cantilever, the first tab 180 is configured to flex inwardly towards the cavity 133 in response to a force being applied onto the first tab 180 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A of the personal care implement 100. The first tab 180 may be biased so that upon release or cessation of the force, the first tab 180 may return to its original position such that the first tab 180 extends across the first opening 134 but not into the cavity 133. Of course, the first tab 180 may extend partly into the cavity 133 in its biased state in some embodiments, it being understood that it can be flexed to extend further into the cavity 133 in response to the transverse force being applied thereon.

The first tab 180 comprises a first side 183 and a second side 184 that extend between the first and second ends 181, 182. The first and second sides 183, 184 may be spaced apart from the annular edge 138 along an entirety of their length. In other embodiments, a portion of the first and/or second sides 183, 184 may be attached directly to the annular edge 138 without significantly affecting the ability of the first tab 180 to flex inwardly towards the cavity 133 as described herein.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first tab 180 is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis A-A. The first tab 180 has the general shape and form of a beam and the first tab 180 has a greater length than width, with the length being measured from the first end 181 to the second end 182. Thus, the first end 181 of the first tab 180 may be coupled to the annular edge 138 at a location that is intersected by the longitudinal axis. In the exemplified embodiment, the first end 181 of the first tab 180 is coupled to the annular edge 138 along a lowermost portion 146 of the annular edge 138. The first tab 180 then extends across the first opening 134 to the second end 182 which lies just short of an opposing uppermost portion 147 of the annular edge 138. In other embodiments, the first end 181 of the first tab 180 may be attached to the uppermost portion 147 of the annular edge 138 and the second end 182 of the first tab 180 may be adjacent to but spaced apart from the lowermost portion 146 of the annular edge 138. The first tab 180 may be elongated along the longitudinal axis A-A as shown such that the longitudinal axis A-A of the personal care implement 100 also forms a longitudinal axis of the first tab 180.

While the first tab 180 is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis A-A in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the first tab 180 may be elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A such that the first end 181 of the first tab 180 is connected to a first side of the annular edge 138 and the second end 182 of the first tab 180 is adjacent to but spaced from a second side of the annular edge 138. In such an embodiment, the first and second sides of the annular edge 138 may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis A-A. In still other embodiments, the first tab 180 may be elongated in a direction that extends diagonally across the first opening 134 (i.e., the first tab 180 may be elongated in a direction that is oblique relative to the longitudinal axis A-A rather than parallel or perpendicular thereto).

In the exemplified embodiment, the first tab 180 extends across a majority of a length of the first opening 134 as measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis A-A. That is, a ratio of a length of the first tab 180 to a length of the gap 189 may be between 4:1 and 8:1, more specifically between 5:1 and 7:1, and more specifically between 6:1 and 7:1. A ratio of the length of the first tab 180 (measured from the first end 181 to the second end 182) to a length of the first opening 134 (measured from the lowermost portion 146 to the uppermost portion 147) may be between 0.7:1 and 0.95:1, more specifically between 0.8:1 and 0.95:1, more specifically between 0.8:1 and 0.9:1.

Based on a standard grip by a user on a toothbrush, in the exemplified embodiment the first end 181 of the first tab 180 is connected to the lowermost portion 146 of the annular edge 138 and the second end 182 of the first tab 180 is adjacent to but spaced from the uppermost portion 147 of the annular edge 138. This may be beneficial because a user may tend to exert the most pressure with their thumb along the upper region of the first grip member 140 so having the first tab 180 cantilevered as shown allows for the most flexibility of the first grip member 140 and the first tab 180 during typical use of the personal care implement 100. However, other orientations for the first tab 180 as described herein may be used.

In the exemplified embodiment, the part of the first opening 134 that is not blocked by the first tab 180 is U-shaped. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the first opening 134 is in the shape of an upside-down U when the personal care implement is held in an upright orientation with the head 120 elevated relative to the handle 110. Of course, depending on the specific orientation and positioning of the first tab 180 within and along the first opening 134, the orientation of the U-shape may change. Moreover, if the shape of the first tab 180 is to be modified from what is depicted, the exact shape of the first opening 134 may change accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the first opening 134 may be formed into the cover member 170 and the first tab 180 may be integrally formed with the cover member 170 so as to extend across at least a portion of the first opening 134. In other embodiments where the cover member 170 may be omitted and the handle 110 is a unitary construction, the first tab 180 may be integrally formed with the structural body of the handle 110.

Turning now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, details regarding the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 of the thumb grip portion 113 of the handle 110 will be described. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second grip member 150 is omitted so that the structural details of the base member 130 can be seen and described. As noted above, the second opening 135 is located in the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 of the handle 110 along the thumb grip region 113 of the handle 110. The second opening 135 provides a passageway into the cavity 133. Furthermore, the base member 130 comprises a second tab 190 extending across at least a portion of the second opening 135. When the second grip member 150 is coupled to the base member 130, the second grip member 150 overlies and covers the second tab 190 (best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).

The second tab 190 may be a second cantilevered tab in that the second tab 190 may extend over the cavity 133 in a cantilevered manner. Specifically, the second tab 190 comprises a first end 191 and a second end 192. The second tab 190 may be beam-like in that it has a greater length measured between the first and second ends 191, 192 than its maximum width measured transverse to its length The second opening 135 may be defined or surrounded by an annular edge 139. The term annular edge is not limited to a circular shaped edge, but may include a closed geometric shaped edge having any of a variety of different shapes, including square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or the like. Thus, the term annular edge refers to any edge which surrounds the second opening 135, regardless of the shape of the second opening 135. In the exemplified embodiment, the second opening 135 has an oval shape, although the invention is not to be so limited and other shapes including triangular, circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, irregular, etc. may be used in other embodiments.

The first end 191 of the second tab 190 is coupled directly to the annular edge 139 of the second opening 135. The second tab 190 may then extend from the annular edge 139 into and at least partially across the second opening 135. In the exemplified embodiment the second tab 190 is cantilevered such that the second end 192 of the second tab 190 is spaced apart from the annular edge 139 by a gap 199. Thus, the second tab 190 may not extend across the entirety of the second opening 135. By forming the second tab 190 as a cantilever, the second tab 190 is configured to flex inwardly towards the cavity 133 in response to a force being applied onto the second tab 190 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A of the personal care implement 100. The second tab 190 may be biased so that upon release or cessation of the force, the second tab 190 may return to its original position such that the second tab 190 extends across the second opening 135 but not into the cavity 133. Of course, the second tab 190 may extend partially into the cavity 133 in its biased state or original position, but it has the capability of being flexed into the cavity 133 when user force is applied thereon.

The second tab 190 comprises a first side 193 and a second side 194 that extend between the first and second ends 191, 192. The first and second sides 193, 194 may be spaced apart from the annular edge 139 along an entirety of their length. In other embodiments, a portion of the first and/or second sides 193, 194 may be attached directly to the annular edge 139 without significantly affecting the ability of the second tab 190 to flex inwardly towards the cavity 133 as described herein.

In the exemplified embodiment, the second tab 190 is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis A-A. Thus, the first end 191 of the second tab 190 is coupled to the annular edge 139 at a location that is intersected by the longitudinal axis A-A. In the exemplified embodiment, the first end 191 of the second tab 190 is coupled to the annular edge 139 along a lowermost portion 148 of the annular edge 139. The second tab 190 then extends across the second opening 135 to the second end 192 which lies just short of an opposing uppermost portion 149 of the annular edge 139. In other embodiments, the first end 191 of the second tab 190 may be attached to the uppermost portion 149 of the annular edge 139 and the second end 192 of the second tab 190 may be adjacent to but spaced apart from the lowermost portion 148 of the annular edge 139.

Furthermore, while the second tab 190 is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis A-A in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the second tab 190 may be elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A such that the first end 191 of the second tab 190 is connected to a first side of the annular edge 139 and the second end 192 of the second tab 190 is adjacent to but spaced from a second side of the annular edge 139. In such an embodiment, the first and second sides of the annular edge 139 may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis A-A. In still other embodiments, the second tab 190 may be elongated in a direction that extends diagonally across the second opening 135 (i.e., the second tab 190 may extend in a direction that is oblique relative to the longitudinal axis A-A).

In the exemplified embodiment, the second tab 190 extends across a majority of a length of the second opening 135 as measured in a direction of the longitudinal axis A-A. That is, a ratio of a length of the second tab 190 to a length of the gap 199 may be between 4:1 and 8:1, more specifically between 5:1 and 7:1, and more specifically between 6:1 and 7:1. A ratio of the length of the second tab 190 (measured from the first end 191 to the second end 192) to a length of the second opening 135 (measured from the lowermost portion 148 to the uppermost portion 149) may be between 0.7:1 and 0.95:1, more specifically between 0.8:1 and 0.95:1, more specifically between 0.8:1 and 0.9:1.

Based on a standard grip by a user on a toothbrush, the exemplified embodiment whereby the first end 191 of the second tab 190 is connected to the lowermost portion 148 of the annular edge 139 and the second end 192 of the second tab 190 is adjacent to but spaced from the uppermost portion 149 of the annular edge 139 may be preferred. This is because a user may tend to exert the most pressure along the upper region of the second grip member 150 so having the second tab 190 cantilevered as shown allows for the most flexibility of the second grip member 150 and the second tab 190 during use of the personal care implement 100. However, other orientations for the second tab 190 as described herein may be used.

In the exemplified embodiment, the portion of the second opening 135 that is not blocked by the second tab 190 is U-shaped. More specifically, in the exemplificd embodiment the second opening 135 is in the shape of an upside-down U when the personal care implement 100 is maintained in an upright position with the head 120 elevated relative to the handle 110. Of course, depending on the specific orientation and positioning of the second tab 190 within and along the second opening 135, the orientation of the U-shape may change. Moreover, if the shape of the second tab 190 is to be modified from what is depicted, the exact shape of the second opening 135 may change accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 3, in embodiments that include the main structural body 160 and the cover member 170, the second opening 135 may be formed into the main structural body 160 and the second tab 190 may be integrally formed with the main structural body 160 so as to extend across at least a portion of the second opening 135.

Referring to FIGS. 4B and 5B, in the exemplified embodiment each of the first and second tabs 180, 190 has the same shape. That is, the first and second tabs 180, 190 have a first portion 185, 195 which comprises the first end 181, 191 and a second portion 186, 196 which extends from the first portion 185, 195 to the second end 182, 192. The first and second sides 183, 193, 184, 194 may be linear along the first portions 185, 195 and arcuate along the second portions 185, 196. In other embodiments, the first and second sides 183, 193, 184, 194 may be linear along the first and second portions 185, 195 or may be arcuate along the first and second portions 185, 195. The second ends 182, 192 are curved or arcuate or rounded in the exemplified embodiment, but could be linear, wavy, pointed, or the like in other embodiments. The exact shape of the first and second tabs 180, 190 as shown in the drawings is not to be limiting of the invention in all embodiments.

The flexibility of the first and second tabs 180, 190 may be reduced by attaching portions of the first and/or second sides 183, 184, 193, 194 to the annular edges 138, 139. In particular, the first and second sides 183, 184, 193, 194 along the first portions 185, 195 may be attached directly to the annular edges 138, 139 so that only the second portions 186, 196 are cantilevered. This would reduce the flexibility of the first and second tabs 180, 190. Various modifications to the flexibility of the first and second tabs 180, 190 may be made in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, cross-sectional views of the personal care implement 100 are provided. As discussed above, the gripping and thumb grip portions 111, 113 of the handle 110 may be hollow. This may be achieved by forming the handle 110 from the main structural body 160 and the cover member 170 as described above with reference to FIG. 3. The gripping and thumb grip portions 111, 113 need not be hollow in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the thumb grip portion 113 may comprise the cavity 133 but the gripping portion 111 may be solid and non-hollow. Moreover, the cavity 133 may be a through-hole as shown or it may be a recess with a floor as described herein.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the first grip member 140 closing the first opening 134 in the front surface 131 of the base member 130 while overlying the first tab 180 and the second grip member 150 closing the second opening 135 in the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 while overlying the second tab 190. Furthermore, as shown in these figures, a first portion 187 of the first tab 180 is embedded within the inner surface 141 of the first grip member 140 while a second portion 188 of the first tab 180 protrudes from the inner surface 141 of the first grip member 140 in a direction towards the cavity 133. The first portion 187 of the first tab 180 is an upper portion of a thickness of the first tab 180 and the second portion 188 of the first tab 180 is a lower portion of a thickness of the first tab 180. Thus, the first tab 180 may comprise a front surface 155 that faces the same direction as the front surface 115 of the handle and a rear surface 156 that faces the cavity 133. The first tab 180 has a thickness measured between the front and rear surfaces 155, 156. The first portion 187 of the first tab 180 is a portion of the first tab 180 located between the front and rear surfaces 155, 156, with the first portion 178 of the first tab 180 comprising the front surface 155. The second portion 188 of the first tab 180 is a portion of the first tab 180 located between the front and rear surfaces 155, 156, with the second portion 188 comprising the rear surface 156. The front surface 155 may be embedded within the first grip member 140 and the rear surface 156 may be spaced from the inner surface 141 of the first grip member 140 so that the rear surface 156 is not embedded within the first grip member 140. In other embodiments, the first tab 180 may be fully embedded within the first grip member 140.

Similarly, a first portion 197 of the second tab 190 is embedded within the inner surface 151 of the second grip member 150 while a second portion 198 of the second tab 180 protrudes from the inner surface 151 of the second grip member 150 in a direction towards the cavity 133. The first portion 197 of the second tab 190 is an upper portion of a thickness of the second tab 190 and the second portion 198 of the second tab 190 is a lower portion of a thickness of the second tab 190. Thus, the second tab 190 may comprise a front surface 157 that faces the same direction as the rear surface 116 of the handle and a rear surface 158 that faces the cavity 133. The second tab 190 has a thickness measured between the front and rear surfaces 157, 158. The first portion 197 of the second tab 190 comprises the front surface 157 and the second portion 198 of the second tab 190 comprises the rear surface 158. The front surface 157 may be embedded within the second grip member 150 and the rear surface 158 may be spaced from the inner surface 151 of the second grip member 150 so that the rear surface 158 is not embedded within the second grip member 150. In other embodiments, the second tab 190 may be fully embedded within the second grip member 150.

The first and second tabs 180, 190 are cantilevered across the cavity 133 as described herein. Furthermore, the first and second grip members 140, 150 are membranes formed from an elastomeric material. Furthermore, the cavity 133 comprises an empty air-filled space. Thus, the first and second grip members 140, 150 and the first and second tabs 180, 190 may be configured to flex inwardly into the cavity 133 in response to a user force being applied thereto. That is, a user applying a force onto the first grip member 140 in a direction of the arrow Z may cause the first grip member 140 and the first tab 180 to flex inwardly towards and/or into the cavity 133. A user applying a force onto the second grip member 150 in a direction of the arrow Y may cause the second grip member 150 and the second tab 190 to flex inwardly towards and/or into the cavity 133. Cessation of the forces Z, Y may cause the first grip member 140 and the first tab 180 as well as the second grip member 150 and the second tab 190 to return to their natural state/position.

In accordance with the exemplified embodiment and as best seen in FIG. 6, the first tab 180 may have a first thickness measured between the front and rear surfaces 155, 156 and the second tab 190 may have a second thickness measured between the front and rear surfaces 157, 158. The second thickness may be greater than the first thickness. As such, the second grip member 150 and the second tab 190 may have less flexibility than the first grip member 140 and the first tab 180. Generally when a user holds a toothbrush the user's pointer finger engages the second grip member 150 and the user's thumb engages the first grip member 140. Thus, the area engaged by the thumb may have a greater flexibility than the area engaged by the pointer finger. Of course, the first and second thicknesses may be the same in other embodiments, and in still other embodiments the first thickness may be greater than the second thickness.

In the assembled product, the first and second tabs 180, 190 are hidden from view due to being covered over by the first and second grip members 140, 150, respectively. Thus, the personal care implement 100 may have an outward ornamental appearance which is familiar and therefore comfortable. The added flexibility along the thumb grip region and the reduced material costs result in an improved apparatus while maintaining the normal familiarity for a user.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A personal care implement comprising:

a handle comprising a gripping portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion located between the gripping portion and the neck portion, the thumb grip portion comprising: a base member comprising a cavity, a front surface having a first opening that forms a passageway into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening; and a first grip member coupled to the base member, the first grip member closing the first opening in the front surface of the base member and overlying the first cantilevered tab.

2. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the base member is formed from a rigid material and the first grip member is formed from an elastomeric material.

3. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first cantilevered tab is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

4. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the first opening in the front surface of the base member is defined by an annular edge, wherein the first cantilevered tab comprises a first end and a second end, the first end of the first cantilevered tab being coupled to the annular edge and the second end of the first cantilevered tab being spaced apart from the annular edge by a gap.

5. The personal care implement according to claim 4 wherein the first cantilevered tab comprises first and second sides that extend between the first and second ends, at least a portion of each of the first and second sides being spaced apart from the annular edge thereby permitting the first cantilevered tab to flex inwardly into the cavity in response to a force applied thereto in a direction generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the handle.

6. The personal care implement according to claim 4 wherein the first cantilevered tab is spaced apart from the annular edge by a U-shaped gap.

7. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the first grip member is a membrane formed from an elastomeric material that closes the first opening in the front surface of the base member without extending into the cavity.

8. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the first grip member comprises an inner surface that faces the cavity, wherein a first portion of the first cantilevered tab is embedded within the inner surface of the first grip member and a second portion of the first cantilevered tab protrudes from the inner surface of the first grip member.

9. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the first grip member comprises an inner surface that faces the cavity and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and further comprising one or more gripping features located on the outer surface of the first grip member.

10. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a main structural body having a recess with a front opening and a cover member that is coupled to the main structural body to close the front opening, the thumb grip portion and the gripping portion of the handle being formed collectively by the main structural body and the cover member, and wherein the cover member comprises the first opening and the first cantilevered tab.

11. The personal care implement according to claim 1 wherein the base member further comprises a rear surface opposite the front surface, the rear surface comprising a second opening that forms a second passageway into the cavity, and a second cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the second opening.

12. The personal care implement according to claim 11 further comprising a second grip member coupled to the base member and closing the second opening in the rear surface of the base member, the base member being formed from a rigid material and the second grip member being formed from an elastomeric material.

13. The personal care implement according to claim 11 wherein the cavity, the first opening in the front surface of the base member, and the second opening in the rear surface of the base member form a through-hole that extends from the front surface of the base member to the rear surface of the base member.

14. The personal care implement according to claim 1 further comprising a head coupled to the handle, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements coupled to and extending from the head.

15. A personal care implement comprising:

a handle comprising a longitudinal axis, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a cavity having a first opening in the front surface, and a first tab extending across at least a portion of the first opening;

a first elastomeric membrane coupled to the handle, the first elastomeric membrane closing the first opening and overlying the first tab; and

wherein the first tab is configured to flex into the cavity upon application of a first force onto the first elastomeric membrane in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

16. The personal care implement according to claim 15 wherein the cavity is a hollow air-filled space and wherein in an absence of the first force being applied onto the first elastomeric membrane, the first elastomeric membrane is not located within the cavity.

17. The personal care implement according to claim 15 wherein the first tab is elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and wherein a first portion of the first tab is embedded within the first elastomeric membrane and second portion of the first tab protrudes from an inner surface of the first elastomeric membrane that faces the cavity.

18. The personal care implement according to claim 15 wherein the handle comprises an annular edge that defines the first opening, wherein the first tab is elongated from a first end to a second end, the first end being coupled to the annular edge and the second end being spaced apart from the annular edge such that the first tab is cantilevered over the cavity.

19. The personal care implement according to claim 15 further comprising:

the cavity having a second opening in the rear surface of the handle;

the handle comprising a second tab extending across a portion of the second opening in a cantilevered manner;

a second elastomeric membrane closing the second opening and overlying the second tab; and

wherein the second tab is configured to flex into the cavity upon application of a second force onto the second elastomeric membrane in a second direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction

20. The personal care implement according to claim 19 wherein the first and second elastomeric membranes are spaced apart from one another and are configured to flex inwardly towards one another in response to the first and second forces being applied onto the first and second elastomeric membranes, respectively.