Powered toothbrush with rotating sections

• US 7,552,497 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• 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:
  US10/107,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20030182743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,653 Days
• Field of Search: 15/28, 15/221, 15/222, 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 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, drive structure for driving each of said first tuft block and said second tuft block in counter-oscillation to each other back and forth rotationally in 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 being mounted to said head longitudinally outside of said first and second tuft blocks along said longitudinal axis and being located substantially entirely 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 that includes an outer circle of bristles rotatable in a first direction and an inner circle of bristles rotatable in an opposing second direction,

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 to have independent motion.

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

3. 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, said head having a proximate portion attached to said neck and an opposite distal portion;

an inner rotatable tuft block mounted to said head and having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface;

an outermost rotatable tuft block mounted to said distal portion of said head and having bristles extending outwardly from said outer surface, said outermost rotatable tuft block being at the outermost, distal portion of said head;

a drive structure for driving each of said inner rotatable tuft block and said outermost rotatable tuft block in counter-oscillation to each other back and forth rotationally in 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 being mounted to said head longitudinally outside of said inner and outermost rotatable tuft blocks along said longitudinal axis and being located substantially entirely between said neck and said inner and outermost rotatable tuft blocks without being rotationally movable in a plane generally parallel to said exposed surface;

wherein said third tuft block is a fixed section; and

wherein said bristles of said outermost rotatable tuft block and said bristles of said inner rotatable tuft block define a pair of concentric circles of bristles 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,

wherein at least some of said bristles on said inner tuft block, said outermost tuft block and said third tuft block are embedded in an elastomeric material to have independent motion.

4. The toothbrush of claim 3, wherein said inner rotatable tuft block is mounted concentrically within said outermost rotatable tuft block.