Electric toothbrushes and packages containing same

• US 7,258,229 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Church & Dwight Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Church & Dwight Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Chan, John G.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUI, LUAN KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/348,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20060191810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 206/349, 206/361, 206/362.2, 206/362.3, 206/461, 206/471, 15/221, 15/28, 15/222, 15/224, 15/23, 15/24, 15/29, 200/60, 200/318.2, 200/551
• US Class Current: 206/362.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/22 with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like brush bodies, e.g. arrangements of the bristles A46B
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/221 Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/225 Handles or details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2202/00 Packaging for dental appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 15/102 comprising cam devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/00 Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/06 Casing of switch constituted by a handle serving a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. by the handle of a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

An actuator assembly and packaging feature for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a positionable member accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. The actuator assembly further includes a spring member retained within the interior of the toothbrush body which urges a cam member against the underside of the positionable member. The positionable member defines an aperture extending through its midsection within which is disposed a depressible member. The depressible member has an outer end which is also accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. Upon pressing the depressible member, the cam member and spring are urged against an electrical circuit provided within the body of the toothbrush which is used to selectively operate a motor and drive mechanism to move one or more sets of bristles. The actuator assembly additionally includes a feature of providing a raised region along an outer surface of the positionable member which guards against accidental or unintentional depressing of the depressible member. The packaging feature relates to a member formed in a package cover that is suitably sized and positioned over the depressible member of the actuator so that the cover, when pressed, may momentarily activate the toothbrush within the package.

Claims

1. A packaged electric toothbrush, comprising:

a package having a cover, a back, and cavity defined there between;

an electric toothbrush disposed within said cavity of said package, said electric toothbrush having a housing, a neck, and head, wherein said housing has a motor and a power source for energizing said motor, said motor operatively connected to a movable bristle holder disposed on said head;

said electric toothbrush having a first movable member, said first movable member being movable along said housing between a first position and a second position, wherein said electric toothbrush is energized when said first movable member is in said second position;

said first movable member having a second movable member slideably disposed therein, wherein said second movable member is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement of said first movable member, wherein said electric toothbrush is energized by depressing said second movable member when said first movable member is in said first position; and

wherein a projection extends from an interior face of said cover, wherein said projection is generally aligned over said second moveable member.

2. The packaged toothbrush of claim 1, wherein said toothbrush further includes a spring and cam assembly disposed in said housing of said toothbrush that in conjunction with the positions of said first and second movable members, controls energizing of said motor.

3. The packaged toothbrush of claim 1, wherein said second movable member is slideably disposed within an aperture of said first moveable member.

4. The packaged toothbrush of claim 3, wherein said projection is sized to extend at least partially within said aperture.

5. The packaged toothbrush of claim 1, further comprises a cam engaged with a spring and movable therewith.

6. The packaged toothbrush of claim 1, wherein an outer end of said second moveable member is approximately flush with an outer face of said first moveable member.