Toothbrush
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A toothbrush comprising:
- a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end proximate a neck to a second free end distal the neck, the head comprising a base;
a cleaning, element support member comprising a stem located on the longitudinal axis extending from the base and a support head, the stem comprising a first portion and a second portion, the support head having an outer peripheral edge comprising as first portion that overhangs the second portion of the stem and a second portion that is free of an overhang relative to the first portion of the stem;
the first portion of the stem, the second portion of the outer peripheral edge of the support head, and a portion of an outer surface of the base forming a continuous surface at the second free end of the head;
a gap formed between an undersurface of the support head and the base, the support head having an overhanging portion that extends from the second portion of the stem in a cantilevered manner toward the first end of the head, the overhanging portion of the support head capable of deflecting into the gap in a direction toward said base; and
tooth cleaning elements extending from the support head of the cleaning element support member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A toothbrush that enhances cleaning and user comfort while brushing. In one embodiment, the toothbrush comprises a cleaning element support member, or base member, that permits a head of the toothbrush to be comfortably received and manipulated within the user'"'"'s mouth. In an embodiment, the support member comprises a head support having an overhanging portion and a portion free of an overhang.
565 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A toothbrush comprising:
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a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end proximate a neck to a second free end distal the neck, the head comprising a base; a cleaning, element support member comprising a stem located on the longitudinal axis extending from the base and a support head, the stem comprising a first portion and a second portion, the support head having an outer peripheral edge comprising as first portion that overhangs the second portion of the stem and a second portion that is free of an overhang relative to the first portion of the stem; the first portion of the stem, the second portion of the outer peripheral edge of the support head, and a portion of an outer surface of the base forming a continuous surface at the second free end of the head; a gap formed between an undersurface of the support head and the base, the support head having an overhanging portion that extends from the second portion of the stem in a cantilevered manner toward the first end of the head, the overhanging portion of the support head capable of deflecting into the gap in a direction toward said base; and tooth cleaning elements extending from the support head of the cleaning element support member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A toothbrush comprising:
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a handle; a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end connected to the hand to a free distal end, the head comprising a base; a cleaning element support member extending from the base and comprising a stem located on the longitudinal axis and a support head having an outer peripheral edge, the stem comprising a first portion and a second portion, a first portion of the outer peripheral edge of the support head overhanging the second portion of the stem and a second portion of the outer peripheral edge of the support head free of an overhang relative to the first portion of the stem; the first portion of the stem, the second portion of the outer peripheral edge of the support head, and a portion of an outer surface of the base forming a continuous surface at the free distal end of the head; the support head having an overhanging portion that extends from the second portion of the stem in a cantilevered manner toward the roxirnal end of the head; and tooth cleaning elements extending from the support head of the cleaning element support member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A toothbrush comprising:
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a handle; a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end connected to the handle to a free distal end, the head comprising a base; a cleaning element support member extending from the base and comprising a support head, the support head comprising an outer peripheral edge and an overhanging portion; a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the support head and a portion of an outer surface of the base forming a continuous surface at the free distal end of the head, the continuous surface located on the longitudinal axis; a gap formed between an undersurface of the overhanging portion of the support head and the base, the overhanging portion capable of deflecting into the gap in the direction of said base, the overhanging portion of the support head extending in a cantilevered manner toward the proximal end of the head; and tooth cleaning elements extending from the support head of the cleaning element support member. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A toothbrush comprising:
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a handle; a head connected to said handle and extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a. distal end, the head having; a body portion; a base member at the distal end of the head and protruding outwardly from a front surface of the body portion, the base member being substantially non-movable relative to the body portion and comprising at least one outwardly extending tooth cleaning element; a plurality of pods, each of the plurality of pods comprising at least one outwardly extending cleaning element, each of the plurality of pods movable relative to the body portion and resilient so that the at least one cleaning element of said plurality of pods is movable from an initial position and being returnable to said initial position; a channel separating adjacent ones of the plurality of pods so that each of the plurality of pods can move independent of one another; wherein a first portion of the base member forms a smooth continuous surface with a portion of a peripheral surface of the body portion, the smooth continuous surface located on the lonitudinal axis at the distal end of the head; and wherein the base member comprises an overhanging portion opposite the first portion that extends in cantilevered manner toward the proximal end of the head. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification