Rotary Disk Patents (Class 15/28)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7861348
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle, a head with carriers and a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. A motor is disposed within the handle. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. The shaft is operatively connected to the carrier to move the carrier in a first motion. The carrier is capable of moving in a second motion when subjected to user forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: John Geoffrey Chan
  • Patent number: 7861349
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Horst Mannebach, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7845039
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector having particular application in an oral care implement having a removable and/or replaceable head. In particular, an electric toothbrush having a removable brush head and/or head and neck assembly and a severable electrical connector is disclosed in which the brush head includes one or more elements requiring a source of electrical power. The severable electrical connector provides electrical communication between the brush head and a power source retained within the handle or handle portion of the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Aleksey Mikhailovich Pinyayev, Lowen Robert Morrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7836538
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an elongated housing bounding a chamber with a motor disposed therein. A drive shaft is at least partially disposed within the chamber of the housing, the drive shaft being coupled with the motor such that during selective operation of the motor the drive shaft is rotated. A head assembly includes an elongated head housing having a head drive shaft and a brush head mounted thereon. The head assembly is adapted to be selectively coupled with the body assembly so that the body drive shaft is coupled with the head drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: SonicScrubbers, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Cobabe, David O. Meyers, Darrell E. Goff, W. Kenneth Thiess, Qi-Chun Jackson Zhao
  • Patent number: 7832042
    Abstract: An elongated toothbrush head defining a longitudinal axis includes a first brush member having a first brush support surface and a second brush member which is a pivot arm mounted for pivotal movement on the first brush member. The pivot arm has a second brush support surface including a first portion and a second portion which are joined together and include free ends which are spaced apart. The first portion and the second portion of the second brush support surface are capable of pivoting relative to the first brush support surface about an axis which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the head and laterally across the pivot arm. One or more teeth cleaning elements project from the first portion and the second portion and are inclined at an angle to the second brush support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. DePuydt, Bernhard Boland, Michael Stolper, Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 7832043
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a body, and a brush member connected to the body, the brush member including three brushes which are arranged at an angle relative to one another so as to provide two side brushes and one intermediate brush extending between the side brushes and to form an elongated passage between the brushes, adapted to receive teeth so that the brushes can contact the teeth from an inner side, from an outer side, and from a biting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Yasha Feldman
  • Patent number: 7827644
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided and includes a handle portion having a neck formed at one end and a head coupled to the neck. The head includes a first carrier coupled to the head and operatively connected to a drive mechanism for moving the first carrier in a first path of motion. The first carrier has at least one of a plurality of bristles and elastomeric cleaning members extending outwardly therefrom to deliver oral care benefits to the user. The head also includes a second carrier coupled to the head. The second carrier is formed of an elastomeric material and has at least one of a plurality of bristles and elastomeric cleaning members extending outwardly from an upper surface thereof. The second carrier is constructed so that upon application of a force to the upper surface thereof, the second carrier moves in a second path of motion that is different from the first path of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Eyal Eliav
  • Patent number: 7814606
    Abstract: A toothbrush including a brush head, bristle clusters protruding from a cleaning surface of the brush head and a depression disposed in the surface and surrounding at least one bristle cluster, the depression having a bottom into which the bristle cluster penetrates and in which the bristle cluster is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Storkel, Florina Winter, Manfred Klawuhn, Gerhard Schafer
  • 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: 7810201
    Abstract: Power toothbrushes are provided having toothbrush heads that move in a substantially random manner when in use and in contact with a user's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Phillip M. Braun
  • Patent number: 7810199
    Abstract: A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kressner
  • Patent number: 7788756
    Abstract: A brush part for an electric toothbrush in which tufts of bristles are arranged in polygons, and in which the tufts of bristles lean, either around the polygons or inwardly and outwardly, so that the tuft alignments converge and preferably cross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans Kraemer
  • Patent number: 7788757
    Abstract: The invention is a fun shower brush. The brush has a bubble-making device on its top part. Different kinds of brush can be fitted into the front of the shower brush to meet the needs of the user. This design makes the brush suitable for use by the general public and the bubble-making device makes showering more fun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Chia-Ho Lei
  • Patent number: 7784136
    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: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo J. Jimenez, Eyal Eliav
  • Patent number: 7774886
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric-dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Horst Mannebach, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7774885
    Abstract: A toothbrush head has several bristle support segments movable relative to each other, and driving elements that change the position of the bristle support segments relative to each other. The driving elements have a cam control surface that causes the individual bristle support segments to execute an additional movement superposed upon the movement of the bristle support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Kressner, Michael Stolper
  • Patent number: 7770251
    Abstract: A method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Horst Mannebach, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7757331
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush attachment includes a longitudinal body extending in a first direction substantially away from an attachment location for attaching the longitudinal body to an electric toothbrush drive unit and a brush connected to an end of the longitudinal body, the brush having bristles extending in a second direction substantially inopposite to the first direction. The longitudinal body transitions into a proximal end having a brush mount portion via a transition region between the longitudinal body and the proximal end. The transition region is formed as an angle of approximately 90° between the longitudinal body and the proximal end. The proximal end further includes a brush mount portion that is adapted to hold a brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Louis DeVitis
  • Patent number: 7748070
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a handle, a head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head is disclosed. The handle has a hollow interior region having a motor and an electrical power source. The head includes an ultrasonic transducer and a bristle field. The ultrasonic transducer is in electrical communication with the electrical power source, and a shaft is operatively connected to the motor for moving the bristle field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Chanchal Kumar Ghosh, Stephen Andras Kovacs, Lowen Robert Morrision, Jr., Ping Wang, Aleksey Mikhailovich Pinyayev
  • Patent number: 7748071
    Abstract: An interdental treatment device, such as a toothbrush, includes a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source, a head carrying an interdental treatment tool, and a neck between the handle and the head. The head or neck includes a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate. Electrical connections are operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. In various embodiments, a switch may be operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device. In various embodiments, a vibration-damping structure dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Hafliger, Franz Fischer, Gunther Elster
  • Patent number: 7743448
    Abstract: A device with moving squeegees is disclosed. The squeegees can have any number of squeegee configurations. The squeegee or groups of the squeegees are configured to move independently or separately concerted fashion. The device is preferably and oral-care device and can include bristles and/or nodules that move or are stationary. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention the oral-care device includes rows of squeegees that move with a first motion and a center section with squeegees, bristles and/or nodules that move with a second motion in a direction and/or frequency that is different from the first motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7725972
    Abstract: A head for an electric toothbrush having first and second brush parts, one of which is rotary and the other is reciprocally moveable or static. Preferred forms have elastomeric oral hygiene parts, and electric toothbrush heads with novel “V” sectioned oral hygiene parts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: GlaxoSmithKLine Consumer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tamas Berde, Christoph Geiberger, Ralph Francis Walker
  • Patent number: 7707674
    Abstract: A hand-held motorized household cleaning apparatus that includes a housing, a battery located in the housing, a motor located in the housing and connected to the battery, an output drive shaft connected to the motor, a cleaning attachment coupled for movement with the output drive shaft and a liquid delivery system with a pressurized reservoir. A flexible adapter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Schonewille, Richard P. Rosa, Sean D. Wilkinson, Corey D. MacTavish, Jacob R. Prosper, James D. Marshall, Alex P. Sergyeyenko, Vincent P. Cooper, David M. Shaver, Patrick Marcil
  • Patent number: 7698771
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes a body having an interior hollow region for retaining one or more motors, batteries, and drive mechanisms. The toothbrush includes one or more bristle carriers. Each of the bristle carriers undergoes some type of movement and is driven by the one or more motors and drive mechanisms. Various combinations of movement of the bristle carriers are described. And, numerous drive train mechanisms are disclosed for achieving the noted motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 7681273
    Abstract: A cleaning attachment to water hose is provided comprising an outer shell having a dome-shaped base skirt including a connector member for tightening the flared top end of the neck section of the outer shell to the water hose in a sealing engagement, a main ball valve to permit passage of water and out of alignment therefrom to block the entire water stream; and a water chute with two extensions each extending approximately in parallel with the interior walls of the outer shell and in a first spiral form. A dome-shaped outer rotor with a number of fans and a bottom brush is rotationally positioned in the base skirt under the water chute for receiving the pressurized impacts of the water streams to activate the outer rotor in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Man-Young Jung
  • Patent number: 7673360
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjörg Reick, Martin Stratmann, Peter Trawinski, Wolfgang Vorbeck, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7661172
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjörg Reick, Martin Stratmann, Peter Trawinski, Wolfgang Vorbeck, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20100024139
    Abstract: A hand-guided device has a housing and a drive component with a drive element that is movable relative to the housing by way of a motor. A tool is releasably connectable to the drive element. In order to achieve a universal usability of the device by equipping it with various tools as well as with a different way of movement each, the drive element is eccentrically mounted in the drive component with an eccentricity and on the housing, a fixed bearing is disposed at a distance from the drive element for an optional cooperation with a tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Johannes Linsbichler, Werner Wolf
  • Publication number: 20100017978
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an elongated housing bounding a chamber with a motor disposed therein. A drive shaft is at least partially disposed within the chamber of the housing, the drive shaft being coupled with the motor such that during selective operation of the motor the drive shaft is rotated. A head assembly includes an elongated head housing having a head drive shaft and a brush head mounted thereon. The head assembly is adapted to be selectively coupled with the body assembly so that the body drive shaft is coupled with the head drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SONICSCRUBBERS, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron D. Cobabe, David O. Meyers, Darrell E. Goff, W. Kenneth Thiess, Qi-Chun Jackson Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100005603
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a driving shaft which is disposed in a housing unit, which is rotatable with a drive unit, and which is adapted to be coupled with a flexible twisting member disposed in a flexible tubular casing of a pipe cleaning device to rotate a scrubbing head for scrubbing an inner wall of a pipe, and a plurality of rollers cooperatively defining a traveling path. One of the rollers is rotatable with the driving shaft. The flexible tubular casing is drawn by the rotation of the rollers to move along the traveling path so as to be delivered or withdrawn. A control module is disposed to control the operation of the drive unit. A switch unit is actuated to send a switch-off signal to the control module when the flexible tubular casing is tensed so as to stop the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Chin-Yuan Liu
  • Patent number: 7646117
    Abstract: An actuator includes a shaft supported in such a manner as to make axial reciprocating movement or rotational reciprocating movement around longitudinal axis thereof, and an electricity conducting member for making contact with the shaft at a plurality of points on a circumferential surface of the shaft used as an electricity conducting path leading to other members. Further, an electric toothbrush includes the actuator as a drive power source for a brush body, and the brush body is adapted to be supplied with an electric current through the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Shimizu, Tomohiro Kunita, Shinichi Taniguchi, Suehisa Kishimoto, Takahiro Nishinaka
  • Patent number: 7640614
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes a body having an interior hollow region for retaining one or more motors, batteries, and drive mechanisms. The toothbrush includes multiple bristle carriers. Each of the bristle carriers undergoes some type of movement and is driven by the one or more motors and drive mechanisms. Various combinations of movement of the bristle carriers are described. And, numerous drive train mechanisms are disclosed for achieving the noted motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Patrick William Brown, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 7636976
    Abstract: A power toothbrush with a drive train that is easy to manufacture, reliable in service and that enables multiple heads or other complex design or functional elements is provided. In an illustrative embodiment, the power toothbrush includes a sealed case that encloses a motor with a pinion gear joined to an eccentric link. This eccentric link can be a circular rack having an eccentric pin that rides in a slot on a drive plate. The drive plate is joined to a push rod, typically constructed of metal that passes up a hollow toothbrush shaft through an elastomeric seal to a head assembly. The head assembly includes one or more moving disks that are each connected to generally circular brush heads, which project outwardly from the head assembly. One disk receives a bent end of the drive shaft in a hole located eccentrically to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Robert D. Banning
  • Publication number: 20090313774
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 7624467
    Abstract: A brush attachment of an electric cleaning device, the cleaning device including a coupling section to which the brush attachment can be joined. The brush section can include an open end configured to releasably attach to the coupling section of the cleaning device and an interlock canceling element configured to engage the coupling section and displace a longitudinally displaceable drive mechanism extending from the cleaning device a predetermined distance to control the operation of the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7621015
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjorg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7614107
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an elongated housing bounding a chamber with a motor disposed therein. A drive shaft is at least partially disposed within the chamber of the housing, the drive shaft being coupled with the motor such that during selective operation of the motor the drive shaft is rotated continuously. A head assembly includes an elongated head housing having a head drive shaft and a brush head mounted thereon. The head assembly is adapted to be selectively coupled with the body assembly so that the body drive shaft is coupled with the head drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: SonicScrubbers, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron D. Cobabe, David O. Meyers, Darrell E. Goff, W. Kenneth Thiess, Qi-Chun Jackson Zhao
  • Patent number: 7600285
    Abstract: An oral care implement comprises a head and a body provided with a three-dimensional surface feature on the body that is generally undecorated. A cover is applied to the body and includes a decoration that is associated with the three-dimensional surface feature, such that the body, with the cover applied, appears to have a decorated three-dimensional surface feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, Alberto Mantilla, Tony Baxter, Diana Sierra
  • Patent number: 7574765
    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: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Beat Huber, Franz Fischer
  • Publication number: 20090188528
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for cleaning is provided. More specifically, the improved apparatus is provided wherein the apparatus has a plurality of rotating heads whereby the heads are used to contact the body and provide cleansing pressure. Additionally, the improved apparatus and method is provided wherein the apparatus may have a plurality of rotating heads whereby the rotating heads may rotate opposite to each corresponding head wherein a first inner head may rotate clockwise while the second outer head may rotate counterclockwise. However, a first head and second head may be adjacent to one another while still rotating in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, respectively. The contemplated embodiments of the apparatus may include a reservoir for containment of a cleansing agent that may be dispensed to the first and second head and/or directly onto the object to be cleaned whereby the cleansing agent may help facilitate cleansing of the body to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Mitch Junkins
  • 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.
  • Patent number: 7556320
    Abstract: An interdental treatment device, such as a toothbrush, includes a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source, a head carrying an interdental treatment tool, and a neck between the handle and the head. The head or neck includes a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate. Electrical connections are operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. At least parts of the electrical connections are formed by tracks of an electrically conductive plastic material. In various embodiments, a vibration-damping structure dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Hafliger, Franz Fischer, Gunther Elster
  • Patent number: 7552497
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 7520016
    Abstract: A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kressner
  • Publication number: 20090070949
    Abstract: Oral care treatments are provided, including multi-component oral care compositions and methods for delivering such compositions to the oral cavity. Oral care devices and systems for implementing such oral care treatments are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: THE GILLETTE COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Albert Sagel, Marc Philip Ortins, Vadim Denishenko, Phillip Maurice Braun
  • Publication number: 20090049626
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush refill head combines a typical round oscillating or primary tuft block which oscillates in a rotational manner with a secondary tuft block. The secondary tuft block may be oscillated in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly back and forth in the same direction as the handle of the toothbrush. The secondary tuft block could be in the form of a pair of side by side plates mounted on the head adjacent to the round oscillating block. The invention could also be practice where the secondary tuft block is in the form of a plurality of sets of rows of bristles mounted for back and forth movement in a direction perpendicular to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE
    Inventors: Eyal Eliav, Kyoungeun Ahn, John J. Gatzemeyer
  • Publication number: 20090038091
    Abstract: A manual toothbrush including a handle that reciprocates into and out of a channel within a head of the toothbrush. The head includes a plurality of fixed first bristles and a first movable base that has a plurality of second bristles extending outwardly therefrom. A first end of the handle is non-releasably connected to the first movable base within the channel in the head. The first movable base is mounted for arcuate movement in response to the reciprocation of the handle when the first and second bristles frictionally engage the teeth of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Denney, Robert G. Dickie
  • Publication number: 20090025158
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo J. Jimenez, Eyal Eliav
  • Publication number: 20090025157
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo J. Jimenez, Eyal Eliav