Oral-care device and system

• US 20060117506A1
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Published: 06/08/2006
• 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 8,276,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.100
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/02 power-driven carriers
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/11 Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/12 Implements with several different treating devices
• 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 17/3472 with combined movements of the brush body
• 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

1-25. -25. (canceled)

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

a) a support structure;

and

b) a plurality of squeegee segments protruding from a surface of the support structure and extending radially outward from the surface of the support structure, wherein the support surface is configured to automatically move

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the cleaning head further comprises bristle.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of the bristles protrude from the surface of the support structure.

29. The device of claim 26, wherein the support surface is configured to vibrate, rotate or oscillate.

30. The device of claim 26, further comprising a motorized handle configured to detachably couple the cleaning head.

31. The device of claim 26, wherein portions of the plurality of squeegee segments are corrugated, rounded, angled or pointed.

32. The device of claim 26, further comprising nodules protruding from the surface of the support structure.

33. The device of claim 26, wherein portions the nodules are corrugated, rounded, angled or pointed.

34. The device of claim 26, wherein the support structure further comprises a second support surface with bristles protruding therefrom

35. A oral-care device comprising a motorized cleaning head, the motorized cleaning head comprising a squeegee configuration comprising a plurality of squeegee segments protruding from a support surface and extending radially outward along the support surface.

36. The oral-care device of claim 35, further comprising bristles, a portion of which flank the squeegee segments.

37. The oral-care device of claim 35, wherein the squeegee segments are substantially linear squeegee segments.

38. The oral-care device of claim 35, wherein the walls of the squeegee segments are tapered.

39. The oral-care device of claim 35, further comprising nodules

40. The oral-care device of claim 36, wherein a portion of the bristles protrude from a center portion of the support surface and are surrounded by the squeegee segments.

41. The oral-care device of claim 35, wherein at least a portion of the motorized cleaning head is configured to vibrate, rotate or oscillate.

42. A device comprising a plurality of substantially linear squeegee segments extending radially outward along a support surface that is configured to atomically move with a rotational motion, the device further comprising bristles protruding from the support surface wherein a portion of the bristles flank the squeegee segments.