Powered toothbrush

• US 20050204490A1
• Filed: 03/21/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Kemp, James Herbert, Sprosta, Al
• Application Number:
  US11/085,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20050204490A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.100
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0036 with a lighting means, e.g. laser, bulb A46B15/0034 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/004 with an acoustic signalling means, e.g. noise
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0044 with light signalling means A46B15/0034, A46B15/0036 takes precedence
• 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: A61C 17/22 with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like brush bodies, e.g. arrangements of the bristles A46B
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/224 Electrical recharging arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 5/06 other than of endless-walk type
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 5/065 operated by the hand
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/08 recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 35/02 with moving magnets and stationary coil systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1876 with reciprocating, linearly oscillating or vibrating parts

Abstract

Magnetic levitation technology is incorporated in a toothbrush to supply power useable to power movable cleaning elements, emit light or sound and other functions. Power is generated by merely shaking the toothbrush.

Claims

1. A powered toothbrush comprising a handle, a head with at least one cleaning element, a powered element and a power generator, wherein power is generated from the power generator by movement of the toothbrush.

2. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 1, wherein power is generated from the power generator by shaking the toothbrush.

3. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 2, wherein the power generator further comprises a wire coil surrounding a movable magnet, said wire coil being electrically connected to the powered element.

4. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a power storage device disposed between the power generator and the powered element.

5. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 3, wherein the power generator is disposed in the handle.

6. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 3, wherein the powered element is a light.

7. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 3, wherein the powered element further comprises the at least one cleaning element.

8. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 3, wherein the powered element is a sanitizing element.

9. A powered toothbrush in accordance with claim 3, wherein the powered element is a sound emitting device.

10. A method of generating power in a toothbrush comprising the steps of providing a toothbrush with a handle, a head and at least one cleaning element, providing a powered element and a power generator in the toothbrush, and generating power from the power generator by moving the toothbrush.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein power is generated from the power generator by shaking the toothbrush.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the power generator further comprises a wire coil surrounding a movable magnet, said wire coil being electrically connected to the powered element.

13. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein a power storage device is disposed between the power generator and the powered element.

14. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the power generator is disposed in the handle.

15. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the powered element is a light.

16. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the powered element further comprises the at least one cleaning element.

17. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the powered element is a sanitizing element.

18. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein the powered element is a sound emitting device.