Toothbrush with gum protector

• US 20060096052A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michel Parisi
• Original Assignee: Michel Parisi
• Inventors: Parisi, Michel
• Application Number:
  US11/025,403
• Publication Number:
  US 20060096052A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/167.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 17/08 Other accessories, e.g. scrapers, rubber buffers for preventing damage to furniture
• 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 7/04 interchangeably removable bristle carriers
• CPC Class Codes: A46D 3/005 by moulding or casting a body around bristles or tufts of bristles

Abstract

The invention relates to a toothbrush comprising an elongate body having one end forming a head for mounting bristles, and an opposite end forming an elongate handle. In accordance with the invention, the head includes, over at least a fraction of its periphery, a flexible portion for protecting the gums of a user against impacts.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising an elongate body having one end forming a head for mounting bristles and an opposite end forming an elongate handle, wherein the head includes, over at least a fraction of its periphery, a flexible portion for protecting the gums of the user against impacts.

2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises a rigid support portion surrounded, over at least a fraction of its periphery, by a fitted flexible portion which is secured to said support portion.

3. A toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the fitted flexible portion is made in the form of a fender having a rounded outside edge, said fender being secured to the rigid support portion by a permanent, non-separable connection.

4. A toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the rigid support portion presents a peripheral rib integral therewith, and the fitted flexible portion is made in the form of a fender presenting, over its entire length, a groove complementary to the peripheral rib, said fender being secured to said rigid support portion by snap-fastening.

5. A toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein the fender is secured to the peripheral rib by snap-fastening in releasable manner so that said fender constitutes a part that is interchangeable.

6. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises a rigid support portion having a peripheral zone that is treated locally in order to be made flexible, thereby constituting the flexible protective portion.

7. A toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein the localized treatment is selected from:

heat treatment;

adding a softening additive; and

treatment by radiation, in particular ultraviolet radiation.

8. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises a support portion of flexible material presenting a peripheral rim integral therewith and forming the flexible protective portion, said peripheral rim defining a central cavity receiving a rigid plate in which the bristles are anchored.

9. A toothbrush according to claim 8, wherein the rigid plate is mechanically secured in the associated central cavity of the support portion, in particular by adhesive or snap-fastening.

10. A toothbrush according to claim 8, wherein the rigid plate is secured to the support portion by constituting an insert while the support portion is being molded.