Toothbrush with improved efficacy

• US 5,628,082 A
• Filed: 03/22/1995
• Issued: 05/13/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Moskovich, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US08/406,333
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 15/110, 15/143.1, 15/167.1, 15/188, 601/139, 601/141, D 4/104, D 4/108
• US Class Current: 15/110
• 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 5/02 specially shaped for holding by the hand
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/00 Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/026 where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat A46B9/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/06 Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber

Abstract

An improved toothbrush with a secure grip, a more effective bristle arrangement, and a specially shaped head is disclosed. The handle is formed with opposed gripping portions, and fits securely in the hand of the brusher, facing either up or down, imparting to the user a very secure and comfortable feeling. The toothbrush has a narrow and thin head for maximum access to the oral cavity, and a novel bristle arrangement which is highly effective for the removal of plaque from teeth with manual brushing. In one embodiment, the brush head is tapered to a narrow portion, and then optionally flares out again. In another embodiment, the head is formed with a wavy profile. In yet other embodiments, the brush head may also be provided with an upwardly curved or an angled tip. The head may also have a rubberized lower portion to effectuate gum massage, a gum stimulator, and a head with visibly different utilization areas.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising a head portion and a handle portion connected thereto along a longitudinal axis, the head portion having brushing means thereon, wherein the handle portion is formed from a thermoplastic material, and wherein the head portion has a first region distal to the handle portion, a second region proximal to the handle portion and a perimeter surrounding the head portion, wherein the brushing means comprises:

(a) a first brush area on said first region distal to said handle portion, said first brush area including an outer brush perimeter region at the free end of said head portion, said outer brush perimeter region being arranged in an arcuate pattern on said free end and further defining an inner area thereon in which an inner densely packed brush area is located; and

(b) a second brush area on said second region proximal to said handle portion, said second brush area containing alternating bars and rows of interproximal tufts which are oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein said rows of interproximal tufts end in one selected from the group consisting of laterally outwardly extending gumline bristles and laterally outwardly extending gumline bars.

2. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is comprised of a u-shaped scooping tuft of bristles.

3. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is a u-shaped scooping bar selected from the group consisting of rubber and rubber-like material.

4. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is comprised of a semicircular shaped scooping tuft of bristles.

5. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is a semicircular shaped scooping bar selected from the group consisting of rubber and rubber-like material.

6. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is comprised of a circular shaped tuft of bristles of larger diameter than any of the interproximal tufts and gumline tufts on said second brush area.

7. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is a circular shaped bar selected from the group consisting of rubber and rubber-like material.

8. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is comprised of a horseshoe shaped tuft of bristles.

9. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is a horseshoe shaped bar selected from the group consisting and rubber or rubber-like material.

10. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transverse bars and interproximal tufts are arranged in an arc.

11. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer brush perimeter region in said first brush area is provided with a semicircular bristle arrangement.

12. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 11, wherein said semicircular bristle arrangement comprises a plurality of bristle tufts.

13. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 11, wherein said semicircular bristle arrangement is selected from one of a group consisting of a semicircular rubber and rubber-like bar.

14. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plurality of bristle tufts are angled outwardly at about three degrees.

15. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 13, wherein said semicircular bar is angled outwardly at about three degrees.

16. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said perimeter of said head portion is provided with a plurality of bristles selected from one of a group consisting of tufts and bristle bars angled slightly outwardly.

17. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 16, wherein said perimeter bristle bristles are in the form of a plurality of bristle tufts.

18. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 16, wherein said plurality of bristles comprise a plurality of perimeter bristle bars selected from one of a group consisting of a rubber and rubber-like material.

19. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 17, wherein said perimeter bristle tufts are oval shaped.

20. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 18, wherein said perimeter bristle bars are oval shaped.

21. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alternating bars are shorter than the interproximal tufts.

22. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of tufts and bars on said head portion is under 30.

23. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said densely packed brush area is a central densely packed tuft of bristles.

24. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is comprised of one selected from the group consisting of a central solid rubber and rubber-like bar.

25. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area is a gum massager.

26. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner densely packed brush area on said first region is comprised of densely packed short and soft bristles.

27. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first brush area and said second brush area provide visibly distinct utilization portions.

28. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head portion is formed with a rounded free end tip.

29. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head portion is formed with a wave profile.

30. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head portion has a bottom, and said bottom is provided with a resilient layer.

31. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 30, wherein said resilient layer is comprised of one selected from the group consisting of rubber and a deformable thermoplastic material.

32. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head portion is formed of a layer of thermoplastic material of about 3 mm in thickness, and has a support bar formed integral to said head portion and connected to said handle portion, said support bar tapering to a point under said head portion, whereby support for said head portion is provided;

and wherein said head portion is provided with a portion which is displaced from the horizontal;

said head portion is tapered to narrow to the free end portion which is the use end portion; and

said head portion is formed with a rounded free end portion.

33. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 32, wherein the displacement of said head portion is in the form of an upward angle at the free end tip.

34. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 32, wherein the displacement of said head portion is in the form of an upward curve at the free end tip.

35. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 32, wherein the displacement of said head portion is in the form of an elevated portion curve at the free end tip.

36. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 32, wherein the displacement of said head portion is in the form of a wave profile along the longitudinal axis.

37. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 32, wherein said head portion has a bottom, and said bottom is provided with a resilient layer.

38. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head portion is formed of a layer of thermoplastic material of up to 5 mm;

a support bar is formed integral to said head portion and connected to said handle portion; and

said handle portion is formed with a first grip portion having a plurality of upper protrusions forming indentations, and a second grip portion formed on the opposite side of said handle portion from the first grip portion, said second grip portion being formed with at least two indented curvatures proximate to one another forming a lower protrusion.