Powered toothbrush with rotating sections

• US 8,713,738 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2012
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Gatzemeyer, John J., Mintel, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, RANDALL E
• Application Number:
  US13/569,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20130031733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 15/221, 15/222, 15/28, 151/671, 152/01
• 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;

a head mounted at one end of said handle, 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 oscillating each of said first and said second tuft blocks in a counter rotational direction within a plane generally parallel to said outer surface; and

a third tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface, said third tuft block being mounted to said head separate from said first and second tuft blocks along said longitudinal axis at a position substantially between said handle and said first and second tuft blocks without being rotationally movable in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface;

said third tuft block is movably mounted on said head and is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in a plane generally perpendicular to said outer surface; and

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

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

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

4. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said bristles of said first tuft block extend outwardly from said outer surface of said head a greater distance than said bristles of said second tuft block, thereby forming the cup-like structure.

5. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said first tuft block has a peripheral surface that forms a portion of a peripheral side surface of said head.

6. A powered toothbrush comprising:

a handle;

a head mounted at one end of said handle, 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 oscillating each of said first and said second tuft blocks in a counter rotational direction within a plane generally parallel to said outer surface;

a third tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface, said third tuft block being mounted to said head separate from said first and second tuft blocks along said longitudinal axis at a position substantially between said handle and said first and second tuft blocks without being rotationally movable in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface;

said third tuft block is movably mounted on said head and is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in a plane generally perpendicular to said outer surface;

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

wherein at least some of said bristles on said first tuft block, said second tuft block and said third tuft block are embedded in an elastomeric material for independent motion about the mounting.

7. A powered toothbrush comprising:

a handle;

a head mounted to one end of said handle, said head having an exposed outer surface and defining 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 lead, said second tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface;

a drive structure for oscillating each of said first and said second tuft blocks in counter rotational direction within a plane generally parallel to said outer surface; and

a third tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface, said third tuft block being mounted to said head separate from said first and second tuft blocks and located substantially between said handle and said first and second tuft blocks without being rotationally movable in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface;

said third tuft block is movably mounted on said head and is laterally movable with respect to the longitudinal axis and in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface; and

said bristles of said first tuft block and said bristles of said second tuft block define a pair of concentric circles, said bristles of said first tuft block extend outwardly from said outer surface of said head a greater distance than said bristles of said second tuft block thereby forming 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.

8. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said first tuft block is egg shaped.

9. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said first tuft block bristles extend outwardly in a direction generally perpendicular to the outer surface.

10. The toothbrush of claim 7, wherein said at least one of said first tuft block bristles extend outwardly at an acute angle with respect to the outer surface.

11. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said first tuft block has a peripheral surface that forms a portion of a peripheral side surface of said head.

12. A powered toothbrush comprising:

a handle;

a head mounted to one end of said handle, said head having an exposed outer surface and defining 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 oscillating each of said first and said second tuft blocks in counter rotational direction within a plane generally parallel to said outer surface;

a third tuft block having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface, said third tuft block being mounted to said head separate from said first and second tuft blocks and located substantially between said handle and said first and second tuft blocks without being rotationally movable in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface;

said third tuft block is movably mounted on said head and is laterally movable with respect to the longitudinal axis and in a plane generally parallel to said outer surface;

said bristles of said first tuft block and said bristles of said second tuft block define a pair of concentric circles 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; and

wherein at least some of said bristles on said first tuft block, said second tuft block and said third tuft block are embedded in an elastomeric material for independent motion with respect to their mounting.