Oral-care device and system

• US 20050049155A1
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eegee LLC
• Original Assignee: Eegee LLC
• Inventors: Sun, Rickson, Loew, Christopher, Gavney, James A. Jr., Boyle, Dennis, Mix, Jerry, Kim, Daniel Sung-hwe, Soboll, Pascal Homero
• Granted Patent: US 7,181,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/108
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/023 with means for inducing vibration to the bristles
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/002 having articulations, joints or flexible portions
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/005 where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/06 Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/22 with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like brush bodies, e.g. arrangements of the bristles A46B
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3445 Translation along the axis of the toothbrush handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3481 Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/349 with multiple brush bodies

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.

Claims

1. A device comprising a cleaning head, the cleaning head comprising:

a) a first region with a first squeegee element configured to treat a working surface the first region being configured to move; and

b) a second region with bristles configured simultaneously treat the working surface, the second region being configured to move independently of the first region.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second region further comprises a second squeegee element.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first region further comprises bristles.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first region and second region is configured to vibrate, rotate or oscillate.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first squeegee element comprises top wiping squeegee edges and side wiping squeegee edges.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first squeegee element comprises a squeegee wall that encircles an inner squeegee region.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the second region comprises a second squeegee element.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the second squeegee element comprise top wiping edges and side wiping edges.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a motorized handle configured to detachably couple the cleaning head.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first squeegee element is corrugated, rounded, angled or pointed.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising nodules protruding from the cleaning head.

12. A device comprising a motorized cleaning head, the motorized cleaning head comprising

a) a first region configured to move in a first direction, the first region comprising:

i. a squeegee member with an elongated squeegee wall and a plurality of fin structures protruding from the elongated squeegee wall; and

ii. bristles; and

b) a second region configured to move in a second direction, the second region comprising bristles.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the elongated squeegee wall is curved.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the squeegee member is configured to vibrate, rotate or oscillate.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein one or more of the plurality of fin structures are curved.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the elongated squeegee wall encircles at least a portion of the bristles.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the elongated squeegee wall is surrounded by at least a portion of the bristles.

18. The device of claim 12, further comprising nodules.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the motorized cleaning head is configured to vibrate, rotate or oscillate.

20. A cleaning device comprising:

a) a first section configured to vibrate; and

b) a second section separate from the first section configured to oscillate, wherein the first and the second sections comprise bristles.

21. The device of claim 20, further comprising one or more squeegee wiping elements.

22. The device of claim 20, further comprising one or more nodules.

23. The device of claim 20, further comprising a handle.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the handle is configured to detachably couple to the first section and the second section.

25. A device comprising a cleaning head comprising:

a) a first wiping region; and

b) a second wiping region, wherein the first wiping region surrounds the second wiping region and the first wiping region and the second wiping section are configured to automatically move independently from each other, wherein at least one of the first wiping region and the second wiping region comprises a squeegee element.

26. A device comprising a cleaning head, the cleaning head comprising:

a) a first region with a first squeegee element and bristles configured to treat a working surface the first region being configured to move; and

b) a second region with bristles configured simultaneously treat the working surface, wherein at least one of the first region and the second region is being configured to move independently of the other of the first region and the second region.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the second region further comprises a second squeegee element.

28. A device comprising a cleaning head, the cleaning head comprising:

a) a first region with a first squeegee element configured to treat a working surface the first region being configured to move; and

b) a second region with a second squeegee element configured simultaneously treat the working surface,

wherein at least one of the first region and the second region is being configured to move independently of the other of the first region and the second region.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the first region further comprises bristles element.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the second region further comprises bristles.