ORAL CARE DEVICE WITH A FUNCTION ELEMENT

• US 20100293731A1
• Filed: 08/03/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Braun GmbH (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Original Assignee: Braun GmbH (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Inventors: Haas, Martin, Stoerkel, Jens, Stief, Christian
• Application Number:
  US12/849,498
• Publication Number:
  US 20100293731A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/106
• 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 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle

Abstract

An oral care device having a handle and a head connectible thereto, on which oral care elements are provided along with a function element. The device also includes a ramp disposed adjacent the function element.

Claims

1. An oral care device having a handle and a head connectible thereto, on which oral care elements are provided, the head further including an electrically operable function element being arranged on an outer surface of the head, and a ramp disposed adjacent the function element.

2. The oral care device according to claim 1, wherein the function element is arranged adjacent the oral care elements.

3. The oral care device according to claim 1 wherein the function element is a light emitting source, a toothpaste conveyor, a sensor or an actuator.

4. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the oral care elements have a first height, the function element extends to a second height which differs from the first height, and that the ramp bridges at least part of the difference in height between the first height and the second height.

5. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the oral care elements are arranged on a plane of the head and the ramp ascends or descends in an oblique or arched configuration relative to the plane.

6. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the function element is arranged so as to be partly in the head and partly projecting therefrom.

7. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the ramp and the head are injection-molded from the same plastic component.

8. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the ramp is injection-molded from a different plastic component than the head.

9. The oral care device of claim 8, wherein the ramp is constructed from a soft plastic material, and the head is constructed from a hard plastic material.

10. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the ramp is disposed around the function element at least in a radial direction.

11. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the function element is secured in the head by a press fit.

12. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein said oral care device is a manual or electric toothbrush and/or the function element is an LED protruding from the cleaning region.

13. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the oral care elements are arranged on the head at a distance from the function element, such that a free region devoid of oral care elements is provided above the function element.

14. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the function element and the ramp are integrally made of one piece.

15. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein the function element is disposed adjacent the distal end of the head.

16. The oral care device of claim 1, wherein a tangent applied to the ramp forms an obtuse angle (α

, β

) with the outer surface of between about 110° and

about 170°

.