Electric toothbrushes having flexible necks
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electric toothbrush, comprising:
- a handle having a cavity;
a head;
a flexible neck extending between said handle and said head, said flexible neck formed, at least in part, from a blend comprising a first and a second polymer or a mixture comprising a first and a second polymer. a movable bristle carrier disposed on said head;
a motor disposed within said cavity;
a shaft disposed within said flexible neck and operatively connected to said movable bristle carrier and to said motor;
wherein said head and said flexible neck comprise a channel,said channel extending through said flexible neck and into said head; and
wherein said neck can flex at least about 5 degrees when a force of at least about 4 N is applied to said head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric toothbrush is disclosed having a flexible neck. Particular degrees of lateral, rearward, and forward flexibility of a brush head with respect to the handle of the toothbrush are achieved by utilizing polymer blends.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An electric toothbrush, comprising:
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a handle having a cavity;
a head;
a flexible neck extending between said handle and said head, said flexible neck formed, at least in part, from a blend comprising a first and a second polymer or a mixture comprising a first and a second polymer. a movable bristle carrier disposed on said head;
a motor disposed within said cavity;
a shaft disposed within said flexible neck and operatively connected to said movable bristle carrier and to said motor;
wherein said head and said flexible neck comprise a channel,said channel extending through said flexible neck and into said head; and
wherein said neck can flex at least about 5 degrees when a force of at least about 4 N is applied to said head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electric toothbrush, comprising:
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a handle having a cavity, a head;
a flexible neck extending between said handle and said head, said flexible neck comprising at least a first and second polymer;
a movable bristle carrier disposed on said head;
a motor disposed within said cavity;
a reciprocating flexible shaft disposed within said flexible neck and operatively connected to said movable bristle carrier and to said motor;
wherein said head and said flexible neck comprise a channel, said channel extending through said flexible neck and into said head;
wherein said neck can flex at least about 5 degrees when a force of at least about 4 N is applied to said head. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification