Toothbrush

• US 20010020314A1
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Published: 09/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA (Unilever PLC)
• Original Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA (Unilever PLC)
• Inventors: Calabrese, Giuseppe
• Granted Patent: US 6,510,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/22 with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like brush bodies, e.g. arrangements of the bristles A46B
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/349 with multiple brush bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/425 Toothbrush

Abstract

Electric toothbrush comprises an oscillating, bristle bearing head which comprises two or more segments which are integral with one another.

Claims

1. Electric toothbrush comprising an oscillating, bristle bearing head, characterised in that the head comprises two or more segments which are integral with one another.

2. Electric toothbrush according to

claim 1

, characterised in that the head oscillates around an oscillating axis which passes through the head.

3. Electric toothbrush according to

claim 1

or

2

, characterised in that at least one segment is linked to at least one other segment by a flexible link.

4. Electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim, characterised in that at least one segment is separated from at least one other segment by a groove or chasm which is at least partially filled with an elastomeric material.

5. Electric toothbrush according to

claim 3

, characterised in that the flexible link comprises a living hinge.

6. Electric toothbrush according to

claim 5

, characterised in that the living hinge flexes about a flex axis which is substantially parallel to the oscillating axis.

7. Electric toothbrush according to

claim 4

, characterised in that the groove or chasm is solely filled with elastomer.

8. Electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim, characterised in that at least two segments are arranged sequentially from a handle end of the head to a tip end of the head.

9. Electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the head oscillates about an oscillating axis which is substantially concentric with a segment.

10. Use of an electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim for massaging the gums.