Electric toothbrush

• US 6,785,929 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Braun GmbH (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Original Assignee: Braun GmbH (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Inventors: Fritsch, Thomas, Hilfinger, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Sr., Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Balsis, Shay L
• Application Number:
  US10/319,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20030126698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 151/671, 15/221, 15/222
• US Class Current: 15/167.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/425 Toothbrush

Abstract

An electric toothbrush is provided, which includes a first bristle part that can be made to execute a first, continuously repeating movement. An additional bristle part, connected to the first bristle part, can be made to execute a second, continuously repeating movement, which differs from the first movement of the first bristle part.

Claims

1. An electric toothbrush comprising:

a first bristle part, which can be made to execute a first movement, and

an additional bristle part, connected to the first bristle part, which can be made to execute a second movement, which differs from the first movement of the first bristle part,

wherein the second movement of the additional bristle part is brought about by the first movement of the first bristle part, by way of a resonance effect, and takes place in a bristle direction, and

wherein the additional bristle part is guided such that the additional bristle part moves essentially only in the bristle direction.

2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional bristle part is not connected rigidly to the first bristle part.

3. A toothbrush according to claim 2, characterized in that the additional bristle part is connected to the first bristle part via a spring element.

4. A toothbrush according to claim 3, characterized in that the first bristle part, the additional bristle part, and the spring element are formed in one piece.

5. A toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional bristle part and/or the first bristle part can be made to execute a continuously repeating movement.

6. A toothbrush according to claim 5, characterized in that the additional bristle part is designed, and coordinated with the continuously repeating movement of the first bristle part, so as to produce the resonance effect.

7. A toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the second movement of the additional bristle part has an amplitude greater than that of the first movement of the first bristle part.

8. A bristle carrier for an electric toothbrush having a first bristle part, which can be made to execute a first, continuously repeating movement, and an additional bristle part which is connected to the first bristle part and which can be made to execute a second, continuously repeating movement, which differs from the first movement of the first bristle part, characterized in that the second movement of the additional bristle part can be brought about by the first movement of the first bristle part, by way of a resonance effect, and the second movement takes place in a bristle direction and the additional bristle part is guided such that the additional bristle part moves essentially only in the bristle direction.