REFILL HEAD FOR POWERED ORAL CARE IMPLEMENT THAT PRODUCES VIBRATORY AND OSCILLATORY MOTION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A powered toothbrush comprising:
- a handle comprising;
a gripping portion; and
a stem extending from the gripping portion, the stem extending along an axis; and
a power source, an electric motor and a primary drive shaft operably coupled together, the primary drive shaft comprising a distal portion protruding from a distal end of the stem and an eccentric disposed within stem;
a refill head detachably coupled to the handle, the refill head comprising;
a head portion comprising at least movable one tuft block comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements;
a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve having a cavity in which the stem is disposed; and
the distal portion of the primary drive shaft operably coupled to the movable tuft block; and
wherein rotation of the primary drive shaft by the motor results in;
(1) the eccentric of the drive generating vibrations within the stem that are transmitted to the head portion; and
(2) rotational movement of the movable tuft block.
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Abstract
A refill head, and a powered toothbrush including the same, wherein the refill head comprises a head portion including a movable tuft block that is rotated via operable coupling to a primary drive shaft of the handle. The head portion of the refill head is also receives vibrations from an eccentric that is operated by the primary drive shaft.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A powered toothbrush comprising:
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a handle comprising; a gripping portion; and a stem extending from the gripping portion, the stem extending along an axis; and a power source, an electric motor and a primary drive shaft operably coupled together, the primary drive shaft comprising a distal portion protruding from a distal end of the stem and an eccentric disposed within stem; a refill head detachably coupled to the handle, the refill head comprising; a head portion comprising at least movable one tuft block comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve having a cavity in which the stem is disposed; and the distal portion of the primary drive shaft operably coupled to the movable tuft block; and wherein rotation of the primary drive shaft by the motor results in;
(1) the eccentric of the drive generating vibrations within the stem that are transmitted to the head portion; and
(2) rotational movement of the movable tuft block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A refill head for a powered toothbrush handle comprising:
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a head portion comprising at least movable tuft block comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve having a cavity for receiving a stem of the powered toothbrush handle; a drive shaft adapter having an axial cavity for slidably receiving a distal portion of a primary drive shaft of the powered toothbrush handle, the drive shaft coupler located in a distal portion of the cavity; a secondary drive shaft having a first end operably coupled to the movable tuft block and a second end operably coupled to the drive shaft adapter; and the tubular sleeve comprising a vibration transmission portion configured to be in intimate surface contact with an outer surface of the stem of the powered toothbrush handle, the vibration transmission portion located at a middle portion of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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16. The refill head according to claim 16 wherein the head portion further comprises at least one static tuft block comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements.
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17. The refill head according to claim 17 wherein the movable tuft block and the static tuft block are axially aligned, and wherein the static tuft block is adjacent a proximal end of the head.
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20. A refill head for a powered toothbrush handle comprising:
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a head portion comprising at least rotatable tuft block comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements; a tubular sleeve coupled to the head portion, the tubular sleeve having a cavity for receiving a stem of the powered toothbrush handle; a drive shaft adapter operably coupling a distal portion of a primary drive shaft of the powered toothbrush handle to the rotatable tuft block; and the tubular sleeve comprising a vibration transmission portion configured to be in intimate surface contact with an outer surface of the stem of the powered toothbrush handle.
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21. The refill head according to claim 21 wherein the drive shaft coupler is located in a distal portion of the cavity and the vibration transmission portion is located at a middle portion of the cavity.
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22. The refill head according to claim 22 wherein the drive shaft adapter has an axial cavity for slidably receiving the distal portion of the primary drive shaft of the powered toothbrush handle.
Specification