ORAL CARE IMPLEMENT

• US 20130326831A1
• Filed: 08/13/2013
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Original Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Inventors: Hohlbein, Douglas J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,800,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/111
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 1/00 Brush bodies and bristles moulded as a unit
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0032 with protrusion for polishing teeth
• 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 15/0075 Brushes with an additional massage device
• 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 3/005 Bristle carriers and bristles moulded as a unit A46B1/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/005 where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/026 where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat A46B9/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/028 Bristle profile, the end of the bristle defining a surface other than a single plane or deviating from a simple geometric form, e.g. cylinder, sphere or cone
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/04 Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/06 Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
• CPC Class Codes: A46D 3/00 Preparing, i.e. Manufacturing brush bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/244 for cleaning of the tongue
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 13/00 Gum massage
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1671 with an insert
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/425 Toothbrush

Abstract

An oral care implement comprising tooth cleaning elements and a tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head and a handle; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head; a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face; and a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material positioned within the receiving cavity, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a base surface that is flush with the second face of the head and a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.

Claims

1. An oral care implement comprising:

a head and a handle;

a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head;

a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face; and

a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material positioned within the receiving cavity, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a base surface that is flush with the second face of the head and a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.

2. The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein the plurality of projections comprise a plurality of nubs.

3. The oral care implement of claim 2 wherein the plurality of nubs are conically shaped.

4. The oral care implement of claim 2 wherein the head has a longitudinal axis and wherein the plurality of nubs are arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, and wherein adjacent longitudinal and transverse rows are staggered.

5. The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein the tooth cleaning elements comprise bristles.

6. The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein the base surface and the plurality of projections are exposed.

7. The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein the soft tissue cleanser is injection molded into the receiving cavity to bond the soft tissue cleanser to the head.

8. An oral care implement comprising:

a head and a handle;

a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head;

a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face, the receiving cavity comprising a floor and a sidewall extending substantially perpendicular from the floor; and

a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material that is injection molded into the receiving cavity to bond the soft tissue cleanser to the head, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.

9. The oral care implement of claim 8 wherein the receiving cavity has a generally oval shape that corresponds to a shape of the head.

10. An oral care implement comprising:

a head and a handle;

a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head;

a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face; and

a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material that is injection molded into the receiving cavity to bond the soft tissue cleanser to the head, the soft tissue cleanser comprising at least one aperture extending therethrough.

11. The oral care implement of claim 10 wherein the soft tissue cleanser further comprises a base having a front surface and an opposing rear surface, the at least one aperture formed through the front and rear surfaces of the base.

12. The oral care implement of claim 10 wherein the soft tissue cleanser further comprises a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.

13. The oral care implement of claim 12 wherein the plurality of projections comprise a plurality of nubs.

14. The oral care implement of claim 13 wherein the plurality of nubs are conically shaped.

15. The oral care implement of claim 10 wherein the at least one aperture is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the head.

16. The oral care implement of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of the apertures aligned along the longitudinal axis of the head.

17. The oral care implement of claim 10 wherein the receiving cavity has a generally oval shape that corresponds to a shape of the head.