Electric toothbrush and method combining bristle and pulsed liquid irrigation cleansing to oral cavity

• US 6,203,320 B1
• Filed: 04/14/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA (Unilever PLC)
• Original Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Hart, Richard Steven, Williams, David Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doan, Robyn Kieu
• Application Number:
  US09/291,218
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 433/80, 433/82, 433/84, 433/85, 433/86, 15/221, 151/671, 601/162, 601/163, 601/164, 601/165, 132/308, 132/310
• US Class Current: 433/80
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/063 by means of a supply pipe
• 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 1/0092 Pumps specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/028 with intermittent liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/20 using ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/36 with rinsing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries

Abstract

An electrically operated toothbrush and method for cleaning teeth and stimulating gums is provided. The toothbrush includes a handle, a brushhead connected to the handle having a plurality of hollow filament bristles, passageways through the handle and brushhead for transporting fluid such as water into and through the hollow filament bristles, an electrical energy source in the handle and a vibratory element for imparting a pulsation to the fluid being transported.

Claims

1. An electronically operated toothbrush comprising:

(i) a handle;

(ii) a brushhead connected to the handle, the brushhead having a plurality of non-circular cross-section hollow filament bristles;

(iii) at least one passageway through the handle and brushhead for transporting water into and through the hollow filament bristles;

(iv) a source of electrical energy attached to the handle; and

(v) a vibrational element activated by the source of electric energy, the vibrational element imparting an ultrasonic wave pulsation to the water being transported to the hollow filament bristles.

2. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the hollow filament bristles have a void content from about 20 to about 70%.

3. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the electrical energy source is a battery lodged within the handle.

4. The toothbrush according to claim 1 further comprising a pump activated by the source of electrical energy for pumping water to the hollow filament bristles.

5. A method for cleaning teeth and stimulating gums comprising:

(i) providing a toothbrush having a brushhead fitted with a plurality of non-circular cross-section hollow filament bristles;

(ii) feeding tooth irrigating water into the toothbrush;

(iii) imparting an ultrasonic wave pulsation to the water which is then transported through the hollow filament bristles; and

(iv) contacting teeth and gums in an oral cavity with the pulsating water to remove oral debris.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the hollow filament bristles have a void content from about 20 to about 70%.