Oral care implement

• US 20050210612A1
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Mintel, Thomas, Hohlbein, Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 7,908,699 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/110
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0055 Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0081 Brushes with a scraper, e.g. tongue scraper
• 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 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes

Abstract

An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells.

Claims

1. An oral care implement comprising a head including a first surface and a cleanser for soft tissue in the mouth, the cleanser including at least one projection protruding outward from the first surface for removal of microbial and other debris from soft tissue in the mouth, the projection including a peripheral wall protruding from the first surface and an end surface remote from the first surface, the end surface being inclined to the first surface to define an outermost projecting edge along one portion of the peripheral wall.

2. An oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the end surface is generally planar.

3. An oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the cleanser includes a plurality of said projections.

4. An oral care implement according to claim 3 wherein the cleanser includes a base portion fixed to the first surface, and the at least one projection protrudes from the base portion.

5. An oral care implement according to claim 4 wherein the base portion is formed as an elongate strip on the first surface.

6. An oral care implement according to claim 5 wherein the base portion and the projections are formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. An oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein at least one tooth cleaning element extends from the head in a direction generally opposite to the projection.

8. An oral care implement comprising a head including a support surface and a cleanser for soft tissue in the mouth, the cleanser including at least one projection protruding outward from the support surface for removal of microbial and other debris from soft tissue in the mouth, the projection including a first surface and a second surface that converge toward each other to define a distal edge surface to contact the soft tissue, the first surface being inclined to the support surface at a first angle and generally facing in a first direction, the second surface being inclined at a second angle to the first surface and generally facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the first angle being larger than the second angle such that the first surface is steeper than the second surface.

9. An oral care implement according to claim 8 which further includes a handle connected to the head, wherein the first end face portion faces generally toward the handle.

10. An oral care implement according to claim 8 wherein each said projection is formed of an elastomeric material.

11. An oral care implement according to claim 8 wherein each said projection is formed of a relatively hard plastic material.

12. An oral care implement according to claim 8 wherein the at least one projection is an elongate ridge.

13. An oral care implement according to claim 8 wherein the at least one projection is a nub.

14. An oral care implement comprising a head including a plurality of relatively hard first members joined by a relatively soft second member, the second member defining a living hinge about which the first members can move relative to each other, and at least one projection protruding outward from the second member to define a cleanser for soft tissue in the mouth.

15. An oral care implement according to claim 14 wherein the second member includes a plurality of said projections in a spaced apart relation.

16. An oral care implement according to claim 14 wherein at least one tooth cleaning element extends from the head in a direction generally opposite to said projection.

17. An oral care implement comprising:

a head having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and sidewalls extending between the first and second surfaces;

a cleanser for cleansing soft tissue in the mouth, the cleanser being formed of a resilient material and including a base having a main portion fixed to the first surface and side portions fixed to the sidewalls, and at least one projection protruding outward from the base for removal of microbial and other debris from the soft tissue; and

cleaning elements projecting from the second surface of the head and from the side portions of the base for acting on a user'"'"'s teeth and gums.

18. An oral care implement according to claim 17 wherein the cleaning elements projecting from the side portions are formed as one piece with the base.

19. An oral care implement according to claim 18 wherein the base, the at least one projection, and the cleaning elements projecting from the side portions are formed of an elastomer.

20. An oral care implement according to claim 19 wherein a plurality of said bases each in the form of an elongate strip are fixed to the head, each including a plurality of said projections.