Powered toothbrush with polishing elements

• US 7,814,603 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James A. Gavney, Jr.
• Original Assignee: James A. Gavney, Jr.
• Inventors: Gavney, James A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): GUIDOTTI, LAURA COLE
• Application Number:
  US11/093,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20050166343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,030 Days
• Field of Search: 151/06, 15110-111, 151/14, 151/17, 151/671, 15/211, 15/221, 15/28, 151/80, 433165-166
• US Class Current: 15/110
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0032 with protrusion for polishing teeth
• 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: A46B 5/0095 Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle

Abstract

An electric toothbrush system or toothbrush head is disclosed. The cleaning head in accordance with the embodiments of the invention includes at least one movable section that is configured to rotate, vibrate, oscillate or a combination thereof and has at least one prophy-cup structure and/or one or more polishing elements protruding therefrom. Preferably, the cleaning head also includes bristle tufts. The cleaning head can be configured to detachably couple to a motorized handle. The motorized handle can include a rechargeable battery that is configured to couple to a recharging station.

Claims

1. An oral-care device comprising a cleaning head, the cleaning head comprising a movable section comprising a prophy-cup polishing element and bristle tufts protruding therefrom, wherein the prophy-cup polishing element comprises squeegee segments with elongated walls that intersect with and extend outward from an outer wall of the prophy-cup polishing element to form intersecting top wiping edges and wiping fins with side wiping edges, wherein at least a portion of the bristle tufts surround prophy-cup polishing element.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the prophy-cup polishing element surrounds at least a portion of the bristle tufts.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bristle tufts protrude to a height greater than a height of wiping edges of the prophy-cup polishing element.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further comprises nodule polishing element.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a motorized handle configured to power the movable section.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a curved squeegee polishing element.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein wiping edges of the prophy-cup polishing element are contoured.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a squeegee segment protruding from the cleaning head.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the prophy-cup polishing element includes the squeegee segment.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein walls of the prophy-cup polishing element are contoured.

11. An oral-care system comprising:

a) a plurality of movable sections each with polishing elements and bristles; and

b) a motorized handle with a power supply that drives mechanisms to automatically move each of the movable sections separately while the motorized handle is stationary, wherein at least one of the polishing elements is a prophy-cup polishing element with wiping fins that intersect with and extend outward from an outer wall of the prophy-cup polishing element to form intersecting top wiping edges and wiping fins with side wiping edges.

12. An oral-care device comprising a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a movable section with a prophy-cup polishing element and bristle tufts protruding therefrom, wherein the prophy-cup polishing element comprises squeegee segments with elongated walls that intersect with and extend outward from an outer wall of the prophy-cup polishing element to form intersecting top wiping edges and wiping fins with side wiping edges, wherein at least a portion of the bristle tufts protrude to a height greater than a height of wiping edges of the prophy-cup polishing element.