Powered toothbrush with rotating sections

• US 7,954,192 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Mintel, Thomas, Gatzemeyer, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, RANDALL E
• Application Number:
  US12/472,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20090313774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 15/221, 15/222, 15/28
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/02 power-driven carriers
• 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: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/26 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3454 Translation along the axis perpendicular of the axis of toothbrush handle and in the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/349 with multiple brush bodies

Abstract

The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.

Claims

1. A powered toothbrush comprising:

a handle with a neck,

a head mounted to said neck, said head having an exposed outer surface and a longitudinal axis,

a first tuft block mounted to said head, said first tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface,

a second tuft block mounted to said head, said second tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface,

a drive structure for driving each of said first tuft block and said second tuft block in a counter rotational oscillation within a plane generally parallel to said exposed outer surface, and

a third tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said exposed outer surface, said third tuft block movably mounted to said head longitudinally outside of the first and second tuft blocks along said longitudinal axis at a position substantially between said neck and said first and second tuft blocks;

wherein said bristles of said first tuft block and said bristles of said second tuft block define a pair of concentric circles of bristles that form a cup-like structure with an outer circle of bristles rotatable in a first direction and an inner circle of bristles rotatable in an opposing second direction;

wherein the bristles of the third tuft block are embedded in an elastomeric material so as to be independently movable of each other when pressure is applied.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said second tuft block is mounted within and concentric to said first tuft block.

3. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bristles of said first tuft block extend outwardly from said outer surface a greater distance than said bristles of said second tuft block.

4. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bristles on said third tuft block are fixed.

5. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bristles on said third tuft block are independently movable.

6. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said third tuft block is movable in a longitudinal direction in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface.

7. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said third tuft block is laterally movable with respect to the longitudinal axis and in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface.

8. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said third tuft block is movable in a direction generally perpendicular to said outer surface of said head.

9. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said first tuft block is egg shaped.

10. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bristles extend outwardly from said first tuft block in a generally perpendicular direction with respect to said outer surface.

11. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bristles extend outwardly from said first tuft block at an acute angle with respect to said outer surface.

12. A powered toothbrush comprising:

a handle with a neck,

a head mounted to said neck, said head having an exposed outer surface and a longitudinal axis,

a first tuft block mounted to said head, said first tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface,

a second tuft block mounted to said head, said second tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface,

a drive structure for driving each of said first tuft block and said second tuft block in a counter rotational oscillation within a plane generally parallel to said exposed outer surface, and

a third tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said exposed outer surface, said third tuft block movably mounted to said head longitudinally outside of the first and second tuft blocks along said longitudinal axis at a position substantially between said neck and said first and second tuft blocks;

wherein said bristles of said first tuft block and said bristles of said second tuft block define a pair of concentric circles of bristles that form a cup-like structure with an outer circle of bristles rotatable in a first direction and an inner circle of bristles rotatable in an opposing second direction;

wherein the bristles of the first or second tuft block are embedded in an elastomeric material so as to be independently movable of each other when pressure is applied.