Oral care implement

• US 7,908,699 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Hohlbein, Douglas J., Mintel, Thomas, Baertschi, Armin
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich; Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/019,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20050210612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,280 Days
• Field of Search: 151/10, 151/11, 151/671, 151/88, 601/139, 601/141, 606/161
• US Class Current: 15/110
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0055 Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0081 Brushes with a scraper, e.g. tongue scraper
• 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 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes

Abstract

An oral care implement with a handle includes a head with a tissue cleanser. The tissue cleanser may be a pad composed of an elastomeric material. The pad is disposed on the head on a surface opposite the tooth cleaning elements. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of nubs extending for cleaning between the papillae of the tongue. The tissue cleanser may include a plurality of conically shaped nubs. A tissue cleanser can be used to reduce oral malodor problems and remove oral epithelial cells.

Claims

1. An oral care implement comprising:

a head having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and sidewalls extending between the first and second surfaces;

a cleanser for cleansing soft tissue in the mouth, the cleanser being formed of a resilient material and including a base having a main portion fixed to the first surface and side portions fixed to the sidewalls, and at least one projection protruding outward from the base for removal of microbial and other debris from the soft tissue;

cleaning elements projecting from the second surface of the head and from the side portions of the base for acting on a user'"'"'s teeth and gums;

wherein the cleaning elements projecting from the side portions are formed as one piece with the base;

wherein the base, the at least one projection, and the cleaning elements projecting from the side portions are formed of an elastomer; and

wherein a plurality of said bases each in the form of an elongate strip are fixed to the head, each including a plurality of said projections.

2. An oral care implement comprising:

a head having a first surface, an opposite second surface, and sidewalls extending between the first and second surfaces;

a cleanser for cleansing soft tissue in the mouth, the cleanser comprising;

a base having a main portion fixed to the first surface;

side portions fixed to the sidewalls;

a plurality of projections protruding outward from the base for removal of microbial and other debris from the soft tissue; and

a plurality of cleaning elements projecting from the side portions of the base for acting on a user'"'"'s teeth and gums;

wherein the plurality of teeth cleaning elements projecting from the side portions are formed as one piece with the base;

wherein the base, the plurality of projections, and the plurality of cleaning elements projecting from the side portions are formed of an elastomer; and

wherein the main portion is formed of a plurality of elongate strips and wherein each of the side portions is an extension of one of the elongate strips, each of the plurality of elongate strips including a plurality of said projections.