Toothbrush having a vibrating head part
First Claim
1. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
- a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck and having an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A toothbrush includes a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source, a head carrying a brush, and a neck between the handle and the head. The head or neck includes a mechanical motorized vibratory device, which causes the head to vibrate. Electrical connections are operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. In various embodiments, a switch may be operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device. In various embodiments, a vibration-damming structure dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
131 Citations
31 Claims
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1. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck and having an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
wherein the motorized vibratory device has a vibratory element including a vibratory armature that forms the drive.
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11. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in the neck; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections, wherein the motorized vibratory device includes mechanical and electrical components, wherein at least a portion of the mechanical and electrical components form a unit which is encapsulated within an injection molded first material and which is further at least partially encapsulated in an injection molded second material.
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22. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck;
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections, wherein the motorized vibratory device includes mechanical and electrical components, wherein at least a portion of the mechanical and electrical components form a unit which is received between two separately produced toothbrush parts which are connected to one another in a water-tight manner.
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23. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle including a cavity configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck;
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections; and
a switch operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical vibratory device, wherein the cavity is open to the rear of the toothbrush handle and is closable from the rear by a cover, wherein the cover has a rotative connection to the handle that provides actuation of the switch.
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24. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle that includes a cavity configured to accommodate an exchangeable battery power source, the cavity containing a sleeve made up of electrically conductive material and being open to the rear and can be closed from the rear by a cover;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the battery power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck and having an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections, wherein the motorized vibratory device has a diameter of less than 6 mm.
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29. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle including a cavity configured to receive a battery and being open to the exterior of the handle, and a cover by which the cavity can be closed;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the bristle-carrying head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device located in the neck, the vibratory device including an eccentric vibratory element and a drive that causes the head to vibrate, the eccentric vibratory element having an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located;
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical motorized vibratory device and operably connectable to a battery in the cavity in the handle to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections;
a switch in the handle operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the battery to the mechanical vibratory device; and
an elastically compliant material located at least between the mechanical motorized vibratory device and the handle that dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
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30. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive and an eccentric body which cause the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck, the drive having a shaft with an axis of rotation oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of the portion of the toothbrush in which the device is located and the eccentric body being connected to the shaft of the drive for rotation about the axis; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections.
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31. In a toothbrush, the improvement comprising:
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a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source;
a bristle-carrying head;
a neck between the handle and the head;
a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate, located in at least one of the head and the neck, and said drive having an axial length greater than its diameter; and
electrical connections operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and operably connectable to the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections.
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Specification