Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority to United States Patent Application Serial No.
12/547,627 filed August 26, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to ansate oral care implements, and specifically
to toothbrushes, either manual or powered, that have a handle and a head having cleaning
elements for oral cleaning.
Background of the Invention
[0003] A toothbrush is used to clean teeth by removing plaque and debris from the surfaces.
Conventional toothbrushes are provided with a flat bristle trim that limit their ability
to conform to the curvature of the teeth, to penetrate into the interproximal areas
between the teeth, to sweep away the plaque and debris, and to clean along the gum
line. Additionally, such toothbrushes have a limited ability to retain dentifrice
for cleaning the teeth. During the brushing process, the dentifrice typically slips
through the tufts of bristles and away from the contact between the bristles and the
teeth. As a result, the dentifrice often is spread around the mouth, rather than being
concentrated on the contact of the bristles with the teeth. Therefore, the efficiency
of the cleaning process is reduced.
[0004] While substantial efforts have been made to modify the cleaning elements of toothbrushes
to improve the aforementioned deficiencies, the industry continues to pursue arrangements
of cleaning elements that will improve upon the preceding technology.
[0005] An example of an early attempt to improve the cleaning elements of a toothbrush is
disclosed in an existing oral care implement having two or three circular brush sections
which are arranged within holders that may be screwed into mating receptacles in the
tooth brush handle so that they can be removed and replaced as needed. Each brush
section contains stiff cleaning elements and is spaced from the other along the longitudinal
axis of the handle at a distance less than the thickness of a tooth so that the brush
operates on both the lingual (inside) and facial (outside) surfaces of the teeth.
[0006] Another example is a toothbrush with a head containing a flexible, rubber-like prophylaxis
polishing cup or "prophy cup" similar to that used by dental personnel to professionally
clean teeth. This prophy cup is loaded with toothpaste by the user and applied to
the teeth. According to this patent, the "soft rubber-like prophy cup device follows
the contours of teeth more effectively than bristles." A ring of cleaning elements
("bristle tufts") are placed about the periphery of the toothbrush head which co-act
with the prophy cups to clean the user's teeth and gums.
[0007] More recently, the strategic arrangement and combination of cleaning elements in
the form of elastomeric prophy cups and bristle tufts has become more common as a
way of improving cleaning efficiency and maintaining the dentifrice in place during
brushing. One example of the combined use and strategic arrangement of elastomeric
prophy cups and bristle tufts is a toothbrush having a head portion comprising a plurality
of inner loops formed by elastomeric walls. The central inner loop is surrounded by
an outer loops formed of bristles. A central cleaning element, formed as a bristle
tuft, is located within the elastomeric inner loops.
[0008] Another example of the combined use and strategic arrangement of elastomeric prophy
cups and bristle tufts can be found in a toothbrush having a head portion comprising
a plurality of soft elastomer prophy cups surrounded by bristle rings. In another
embodiment, a toothbrush is disclosed wherein the centralized prophy cups are formed
by groups of densely packed cleaning elements that are surrounded by bristle rings.
The bristle rings in this embodiment are also disclosed as having one or more tufts
at an inclination.
Summary of the Invention
[0009] In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle;
a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a first surface and a second surface
opposite the first surface, and an axis extending from the first surface; and a plurality
of cleaning elements extending from the first surface of the head and arranged in
a ring about the axis, wherein each of the cleaning elements extends from the first
surface of the head at an inclined orientation so as to radially diverge from the
axis; a cleaning element wall extending from the first surface of the head, the cleaning
element wall circumferentially surrounding the plurality of cleaning elements; and
the cleaning elements extending beyond a top surface of the cleaning element wall.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle;
a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a first surface; and a plurality
of cleaning elements arranged on the first surface so as to form a ring about an axis
extending from the first surface of the head, wherein each of the cleaning elements
extend from the first surface of the head at an inclined orientation so as to diverge
from the axis.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising:
a handle; a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a first surface and
a second surface opposite the second surface; a hollow cleaning element cone extending
from the first surface of the head, the hollow cleaning element cone circumferentially
surrounding an axis extending from the first surface of the head, wherein the hollow
cleaning element cone extends from the first surface of the head so as to radially
diverge from the axis; and a cleaning element wall extending from the first surface
of the head and circumferentially surrounding the hollow cleaning element cone.
[0012] In still another aspect, the invention can be an apparatus for incorporation into
an ansate oral care implement comprising: a base having a first surface: a hollow
cleaning element cone extending from the first surface of the head and arranged so
as to circumferentially surround an axis extending from the first surface of the base,
wherein the hollow cleaning element cone extends upward from the first surface of
the head so as to diverge from the axis; and a cleaning element wall extending upward
from the first surface of the head and circumferentially surrounding the hollow cleaning
element cone.
[0013] In a further aspect, the invention can be an apparatus for incorporation into an
ansate oral care implement comprising: a base having a first surface: a plurality
of cleaning elements arranged on the first surface so as to form a ring about an axis
extending from the first surface of the head, wherein each of the cleaning elements
extends upward from the first surface of the head at an inclined orientation so as
to diverge from the axis; and a cleaning element wall extending upward from the first
surface of the head and surrounding the plurality of cleaning elements so as to form
a substantially closed loop.
[0014] In a yet further aspect, the invention can be an apparatus for incorporation into
an ansate oral care implement comprising: a base having a first surface: a plurality
of cleaning elements arranged on the first surface so as to form a ring about an axis
extending from the first surface of the base, wherein each of the cleaning elements
extend upward from the first surface of the base at an inclined orientation so as
to diverge from the axis.
[0015] In a still further aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising:
a handle; a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a first surface; a plurality
of cleaning elements arranged on the first surface so as to circumferentially surround
an axis extending from the first surface of the head, wherein each of the cleaning
elements extends upward from the first surface of the head at an inclined orientation
so as to diverge from the axis; and a cleaning element wall extending upward from
the first surface of the head and circumferentially surrounding the plurality of cleaning
elements.
[0016] In an even further aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising:
a handle; a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a first surface; a plurality
of circumferentially spaced-apart cleaning elements extending from the first surface
of the head and arranged equidistant from an axis extending from the first surface
of the head, wherein the cleaning elements extend from the first surface of the head
at an inclined orientation so as to radially diverge from the axis; and a cleaning
element wall extending from the first surface of the head and circumferentially surrounding
the plurality of cleaning elements.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] This invention is capable of use in a broad array of oral care implements and hygiene
products. The drawings illustrate one use of the invention and are not to be construed
as the only embodiment of the invention.
[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ansate oral care implement, in the form of a
manual toothbrush, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 2 is a front view of the toothbrush of Figure 1.
[0020] Figure 3 is a right-side view the toothbrush of Figure 1, the left-side view of which
is a mirror image.
[0021] Figure 4 is a top view of the toothbrush of Figure 1.
[0022] Figure 5 is a close-up perspective view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure 1.
[0023] Figure 6 is a front view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure 5.
[0024] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure 5 along
view VII-VII of Figure 6.
[0025] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure 5 along
view VIII-VIII of Figure 6.
[0026] Figure 9A is a perspective view of an ansate oral care implement, in the form of
a manual toothbrush, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 9B is a close-up front view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure 9A..
[0028] Figure 10A is a perspective view of an ansate oral care implement, in the form of
a manual toothbrush, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Figure 10B is a close-up front view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure 10A.
[0030] Figure 11A is a perspective view of an ansate oral care implement, in the form of
a manual toothbrush, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Figure 11B is a close-up front view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure 11A.
[0032] Figure 12A is a perspective view of an ansate oral care implement, in the form of
a manual toothbrush, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] Figure 12B is a close-up perspective view of the head of the toothbrush of Figure
12A.
[0034] Figure 12C is a front view of the toothbrush of Figure 12A.
[0035] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a cleaning element disc according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
[0036] In the following description, the invention is discussed in terms of a manual toothbrush
incorporating the novel arrangement of cleaning elements. However, in other forms,
the invention could be in the form of other oral care implements including a soft-tissue
cleansing implement, a powered toothbrush, or other ansate implement designed for
oral care. Additionally, the invention can take the form of disc-like plates that
incorporate the novel arrangement of cleaning elements for operable cooperation with
a manual or powered oral care implement, such as a toothbrush or soft-tissue cleansing
implement.
[0037] Referring first to Figures 1-4 concurrently, a toothbrush
100 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention. The toothbrush
100 generally comprises a handle
110 and a head
120. The handle
110 provides the user with a mechanism by which he/she can readily grip and manipulate
the toothbrush
100. The handle
110 is generically illustrated and may be formed of many different shapes, sizes, materials
and a variety of manufacturing methods that are well-known to those skilled in the
art. If desired, the handle
110 may include a suitable textured grip (not shown) made of elastomeric material or
can be a multipart construction. Stated simply, the details of the handle
110 are not limiting of the present invention and, thus, require no further discussion
for purposes of the present invention.
[0038] The toothbrush
100 extends from a proximal end
112 to a distal end
113 along a longitudinal axis
A-A (illustrated in FIG. 2 and as point
A in FIG. 4). For purposes of simplicity, the longitudinal axis
A-A of the toothbrush
100 is considered to be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the head
120. However, it is of course possible for the longitudinal axis of the head
120 and the toothbrush
100 to not be coaxial with each other. The head
120 is operably connected to a distal end of the handle
110. The head
110 and handle
120 of the toothbrush are preferably formed as a single unitary structure using a molding,
milling, machining or other suitable process. However, in other embodiments, the handle
110 and head
120 may be formed as separate components which are operably connected at a later stage
of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art, including
without limitation thermal welding, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, adhesion,
or fasteners. Whether the head
120 and handle
110 are of a unitary or multi-piece construction (including connection techniques) is
not limiting of the present invention.
[0039] It should be noted at this time that relative terms such as distal, middle, proximal,
upper, lower, top, bottom, left, right etc. are merely used to delineate relative
positions of the components of the toothbrush
100 with respect to one anther and are not intended to be in any further way limiting
of the present invention.
[0040] The head
120 generally comprises a front surface
121, a rear surface
122 and a peripheral surface
123. The front surface
121 and the rear surface
122 of the head
120 can take on a wide variety of shapes and contours, none of which are limiting of
the present invention. For example, the front and rear surfaces
121, 122 can be planar, contoured or combinations thereof. Moreover, if desired, the rear
surface
122 may also comprise additional structures for oral cleaning, such as a soft tissue
cleanser, such as the one disclosed in
U.S. Patent 7,143,462, issued December 5, 2006 to the assignee of the present application, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated
by reference. Furthermore, while the head
120 is normally widened relative to the neck
111 of the handle
110, it could in some constructions simply be a continuous extension or narrowing of the
handle
110.
[0041] The front surface
121 comprises a collection of cleaning elements
130 extending therefrom for cleaning contact with an oral surface. While the collection
of cleaning elements
130 is particularly suited for brushing teeth, the collection of cleaning elements
130 can be also be used to clean oral soft tissue, such as a tongue, gums, or cheeks
instead of or in addition to teeth. As used herein, the term "cleaning element" is
used in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean or massage
an oral surface through relative surface contact. Common examples of "cleaning elements"
include, without limitation, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral
bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions,
co-extruded filaments, flag bristles, crimped bristles, anti-bacterial bristles and
combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations.
[0042] Generally, the collection of cleaning elements
130 comprises a first set
131 of cleaning elements, a second set
132 of cleaning elements and a third set
138 of cleaning elements. The third set
138 of cleaning elements generally comprise a prophylaxis polishing cup
133 (a prophy cup) and a conical arrangement
134 of elongated cleaning elements. The conical arrangement
134 is located within and surrounded by the prophy cup
133.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 concurrently, the details of the novel arrangement
and orientation of the cleaning elements on the head
120 of the toothbrush
100 will now be discussed according to one embodiment of the present invention. It should
be understood that the concepts and arrangements of particular subsets of the collection
of cleaning elements will be described below in relation to certain shapes, axes,
and hypothetical regions or zones. It is to be understood, however, that such concepts
and arrangements can be described in a wide variety of terms and manners.
[0044] Conceptually, the head
120 comprises a distal region
124, a middle region
125 and a proximal region
126. The first set of cleaning elements
131a-j extend from the distal region
124 of the head
120. The second set of cleaning elements
132a-j extend from the proximal region
126 of the head
120. The third set of cleaning elements, which consists of the prophy cup
133a-b, a plurality of angled cleaning elements
134a-f, and a central cleaning element
135, extend from the middle region
125 of the head.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning elements
131a-j, 132a-j of the first and second sets are tufts or arcuate walls of densely packed fibrous
bristles. However, one or more (or various subsets) of the cleaning elements
131a-j,
132a-j of the first and second sets can take on other forms, such as elastomeric walls or
fingers.
[0046] When bristle tufts are used as the desired cleaning elements, the bristle tufts can
be connected to the head
120 in any manner known in the art. For example, anchor free tufting (AFT) could be used
to mount the cleaning elements. In AFT, a plate or membrane is secured to the brush
head such as by ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the plate or membrane.
The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning
function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are
melted together by heat to be anchored in place. Any suitable form of cleaning elements
may be used in the broad practice of this invention. Alternatively, the bristles could
be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the
tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block.
[0047] The particular arrangement and number of the cleaning elements
131a-j, 132a-j of the first and second sets within the distal and proximal regions
124, 126 can vary greatly as desired, and should not be consider as a limitation of the present
invention unless specifically recited in the claims. In fact, in certain embodiments
of the present invention, the first and second sets of the cleaning elements
131a-j, 132a-j may be omitted all together or substantially altered. Nonetheless, a particularly
useful and effective arrangement of the first and second sets of the cleaning elements
131a-j, 132a-j has been developed (discussed below in relation to FIGS.5-6) and is to be considered
as part of the invention in certain embodiments.
[0048] The middle region
125 of the head comprises an arrangement of cleaning elements that is specifically designed
to improve the efficacy of cleaning oral surfaces, retain dentifrice on the head
120 of the toothbrush during brushing and/or massaging, and distribute the dentifrice
among the collection of cleaning elements on the head
120. As mentioned above, the middle region
125 comprises a prophy cup
133 (which is formed by arcuate cleaning element walls
133a-b, angled elongated cleaning elements
134a-f and central elongated cleaning element
135. Preferably, the cleaning element walls
133a-b are elastomeric walls while the elongated cleaning elements
134a-f, 135 are tufts of densely packed fibrous bristles. In other embodiments, however, the
prophy cup
133 can be formed by densely packed walls of fibrous bristles and/or the elongated cleaning
elements
134a-f can be elastomeric fingers.
[0049] Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable
for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning
benefits, the elastomeric material preferably has a hardness property in the range
of A5 to A40 Shore hardness, and most preferably A25 Shore hardness. One preferred
elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured
by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other
materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used.
[0050] Referring now to FIGS 6-8 concurrently, the details and structural cooperation of
the prophy cup
133, the cleaning elements
134a-f, and the central cleaning element
135 will be described. The cleaning elements
134a-f extend from the front surface
121 of the head in an angled (i.e., inclined) manner (relative to a general plane formed
by the top surface 121). The cleaning elements
134a-f are arranged in a spaced-apart manner that forms a ring that circumferentially surrounds
an axis
B-B. The axis
B-B extends from the front surface
121 of the head
120 in a direction away from the rear surface
122 of the head
120. In the preferred embodiment, the axis
B-B extends from the front surface
121 of the head
120 in a substantially normal orientation. Of course, in other embodiments, the axis
B-B may be at an angle other than normal to the front surface
121. Each of the cleaning elements
134a-f is inclined so as to radially diverge from the axis
B-B at an angle Θ as it extends away from the front surface
121 of the head
120. Preferably, for each cleaning element
134a-f, the angle Θ is in a range of 1 to 15 degrees, more preferably 3 to 5 degrees, and
most preferably 4 degrees. While all of the cleaning elements
134a-f radially diverge from the axis
B-B at the same angle Θ in the illustrated embodiment, it is possible for the angles
of radial divergence to vary among the cleaning elements
134a-f. Furthermore, while six cleaning elements
134a-f are illustrated as forming the hollow cone, any number of cleaning elements can be
used in other embodiments.
[0051] Conceptually, the cleaning elements
134a-f collectively form a hollow cone structure (which in the illustrated embodiment is
a truncated cone). As used herein, the term "cone" is not limited to a circular cross-section
and is intended to include truncated cones. The hollow cone structure formed by cleaning
elements
134a-f forms a funnel-like internal cavity
136 for receiving a dentifrice. The cleaning elements
134a-f are equidistantly circumferentially spaced from one another so that a space exists
between adjacent cleaning elements
134a-f. While in the illustrated embodiments, the hollow cone is formed by spaced apart cleaning
elements, in alternative embodiments the hollow cone can be formed by an angled wall
(or angled wall segments) formed by an elastomer or densely packed bristles.
[0052] The hollow cone formed by the cleaning elements
134a-f is concentrically arranged about the axis
B-B and is congruent with the conical axis. The elongated central cleaning element
135 extends from the front surface
121 of the head
120 along the axis
B-B within the funnel-like cavity
136. The central cleaning element
135 is preferably a tuft of densely packed fibrous bristles but can also be an elastomer
finger or other material or structure. Of course, the central cleaning element
135 may even be omitted in certain embodiments of the invention.
[0053] The hollow cone formed by the cleaning elements
134a-f is circumferentially surrounded by a cleaning element wall (formed by arcuate sections
of cleaning element walls
133a-b). Collectively, the cleaning element walls
133a-b form the prophy cup as a substantially closed loop that concentrically surrounds
the hollow cone formed by the elongated cleaning elements
134a-f. While the prophy cup is formed by two arcuate sections of cleaning element walls
133a-b in the illustrated embodiment, the prophy cup (and the substantially closed-loop)
can be formed by a single wall section or by more than two wall sections in other
embodiments.
[0054] As a result of being circumferentially surrounded by the prophy cup (which is formed
by the arcuate cleaning element walls
133a-b), an annular channel
137 exists between the hollow cone (formed by the cleaning elements
134a-f) and the cleaning element wall (formed by arcuate cleaning element walls
133a-b). The arcuate cleaning element walls
133a-b are circumferentially spaced from one another so that gaps
139 exist along the longitudinal axis
A-A of the head
120.
[0055] Referring solely now to FIG. 7, each of the cleaning elements
134a-f extends at an incline from the first surface
121 of the head
120 and terminate in cleaning ends
144a-f respectively. The prophy cup (which consists of arcuate cleaning element walls
133a-b) extends normally from the first surface
121 of the head
120 and terminates in top surfaces
143a-b. In other embodiments, the prophy cup (which consists of arcuate cleaning element
walls
133a-b) may extend from the first surface
121 of the head
120 at an inclined orientation, either inclined toward or away from the axis
B-B.
[0056] The cleaning elements
134a-f (and thus the hollow cone) has a height
H1 while the prophy cup (and, thus, the arcuate cleaning element walls
133a-b) has a height
H2 (measured relative to the front surface
121 of the head
120). The height
H1 is preferably greater than the height
H2. In one embodiment, the height
H1 is preferably in the range of 7 to 13 millimeters, most preferably 10 millimeters,
while the height
H2 is preferably in the range of 5 to 11 millimeters, most preferably 6.5 millimeters.
Thought of another way, cleaning element walls
133a-b circumferentially surround only a base portion of the cleaning elements
134a-f while a top portion of the cleaning elements
134a-f extends beyond the top surfaces
143a-b of the cleaning element walls
133a-b.
[0057] In a preferred construction, the cleaning elements
134a-f are preferably located within a range of 3 to 6 millimeters from the axis
B-B, and most preferably 4 millimeters (measured from the base of the cleaning elements
134a-f). The walls
133a-b of the prophy cup are preferably located within a range of 6 to 12 millimeters from
the axis
B-B, and most preferably about 8 millimeters. As a result of the inclined/diverging orientation
of the cleaning elements
134a-f and their close proximity to the walls
133a-b of the prophy cup, the inner top top edge of the walls
133a-b of the prophy cup abut against one or more of the cleaning elements
134a-f. In one preferred embodiment, the width of the prophy cup
133 extends the substantial entirety of the width of the head
120.
[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 concurrently, the mechanism of action of the novel cleaning
element arrangement of the toothbrush
100 will be described. The following discussion is set forth as an explanation of the
improved operation of the present invention. The following discussion is not to be
construed as limiting the scope of the invention, unless specifically recited in the
claims.
[0059] A dentifrice is initially applied to the head
120 of the toothbrush
100 which fills the cavity
136 formed by the hollow cleaning element cone (which is formed by the elongated cleaning
elements
134a-f). The funnel shape of the cavity
136 helps capture, hold and direct the dentifrice into the toothbrush during dentifrice
application and subsequent brushing. The central elongated cleaning element
135 may further assist with dentifrice maintenance and dispersion. Once the dentifrice
fills the cavity
136, it can flow through the spaces between adjacent elongated cleaning elements
134a-f and into the annular channel
137 formed between the hollow cleaning element cone (which is formed by the elongated
cleaning elements
134a-f) and the prophy cup (consisting of arcuate walls
133a-b). The inclined orientation of the elongated cleaning elements
134a-f results in the annular channel
137 having a substantially closed roof (at least in certain sections), thereby further
helping to keep the dentifrice within the toothbrush
100. The dentifrice then flows through the gaps
139 formed between the arcuate sections
133a-b, Because the gaps
139 are located only along the longitudinal axis
A-A of the head, the dentifrice escaping from the prohpy cup via the gaps
139 is forced into the first and second sets
131a-j, 132a-j where it is further distributed during the brushing and/or massaging of oral surfaces.
[0060] Finally, by surrounding the hollow cleaning element cone (which is formed by the
elongated cleaning elements
134a-f) with a shorter prophy cup (formed by arcuate walls
133a-b), the prophy cup can provide additional support and rigidity to the elongated cleaning
elements
134a-f during brushing. More specifically, when the elongated cleaning elements
134a-f are not under the standard forces imparted during brushing (i.e., in a non-use state),
the elongated cleaning elements
134a-f are either slightly spaced from the arcuate walls
133a-b or abutted against the top inner edges of the arcuate walls
133a-b in a non-forced state. However, when the elongated cleaning elements
134a-f are subjected to standard forces imparted during brushing, the elongated cleaning
elements
134a-f flex outwardly from the axis
B-B and come into contact with the arcuate walls
133a-b, which provide additional support for the elongated cleaning elements
134a-f so tha more effective cleaning can be achieved. In some embodiments, the plurality
of cleaning elements
134a-f are also taller than any of the cleaning elements of the first and second sets that
are immediately adjacent the prophy cup (not illustrated).
[0061] Additionally, when the arcuate walls
133a-b are constructed of an elastomeric material, additional benefits are achieved. Specifically,
the arcuate shaped elastomeric elements
133a-b help spread toothpaste onto the tubules of the teeth. This helps reduce the sensitivity
of the tooth because the tubules are thereby reduced in size. This is also a benefit
with whitening because the toothpaste is spread onto the tubules. Moreover, elastomeric
walls are better than bristles at this wiping toothpaste into the tubules of the teeth.
[0062] Referring back to FIGS. 5-6 and 8 concurrently, a preferred arrangement of the cleaning
elements
131a-j, 132a-j of the first and second sets
131, 132 within the distal and proximal regions
124, 126 of the head
120 will be described according to one embodiment of the present invention. All of the
cleaning elements
131a-j, 132a-j extend from the front surface
121 of the head in a substantially normal orientation.
[0063] The first set
131 comprises a first grouping consisting of cleaning element walls 131c-e and elongated
cleaning elements
131a-b, 131f-g, This first grouping of cleaning elements
131a-131g is disposed in a par-elliptical arrangement along the distal periphery of the head
120, The elongated cleaning elements
131a-b, 131f-g are preferably cylindrical bristle tufts whose free ends taper to a point. The cleaning
element walls 131c-e are preferably walls of densely packed bristles. The height of
the cleaning element walls 131c-e increase toward the distal end of the head
120, thereby forming a tapered edge at the distal edge of the cleaning element field.
[0064] Similarly, the second set
132 comprises a first grouping consisting of cleaning element walls 132c-e and elongated
cleaning elements
132a-b, 132f-g. This first grouping of cleaning elements
132a-132g is disposed in a par-elliptical arrangement along the distal periphery of the head
120. The elongated cleaning elements
132a-b, 132f-g are preferably cylindrical bristle tufts whose free ends taper to a point. The cleaning
element walls 132c-e are preferably walls of densely packed bristles. The height of
the cleaning element walls 132c-e increase toward the distal end of the head
120, thereby forming a tapered edge at the distal edge of the cleaning element field.
[0065] The first set
131 also comprises a second grouping, consisting of arcuate cleaning element walls
131h, 131j and central cleaning element
131i.. The arcuate cleaning element walls
131h, 131j are arranged so as to form a loop about a center point from which the central cleaning
element 131i extends. The arcuate cleaning element walls
131h, 131j are preferably elastomeric walls but can be densely packed bristles. This second
grouping of cleaning element
131h-j is located within the par-elliptical shape formed by the first grouping of cleaning
elements
131a-g. The central cleaning element
131i extends a height that is greater than the height of the arcuate cleaning element
walls
131h, 131j. The height of the central cleaning element
131j is less than the height of the central cleaning element
135 of the third set
138. However, the height of the arcuate cleaning element walls
131h, 131j is grater than the height of the arcuate wall elements
133a-b of the third set
38.
[0066] Similarly, the second set
132 also comprises a second grouping, consisting of arcuate cleaning element walls
132h, 132j and central cleaning element
132i. The arcuate cleaning element walls
132h, 132j are arranged so as to form a loop about a center point from which the central cleaning
element
132i extends. The arcuate cleaning element walls
132h, 132j are preferably elastomeric walls but can be densely packed bristles. This second
grouping of cleaning element
132h-j is located within the par-elliptical shape formed by the first grouping of cleaning
elements
132a-g. The central cleaning element
132i extends a height that is greater than the height of the arcuate cleaning element
walls
132h, 132j. The height of the central cleaning element
132j is less than the height of the central cleaning element
135 of the third set
138. However, the height of the arcuate cleaning element walls
132h, 132j is grater than the height of the arcuate wall elements
133a-b of the third set
38.
[0067] Both of the loops formed by the arcuate cleaning element walls
132h, 132j and
131h, 131j respectively are located so that their center points are located along the longitudinal
axis
A-A of the head
120.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B concurrently, a manual toothbrush
200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The toothbrush
200 is identical to the toothbrush
100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the central cleaning element
135 is omitted. In order to avoid redundancy, a further detailed description of the toothbrush
200 and its functioning is omitted with the understanding that the corresponding elements
of toothbrush
200 are numbered the same as the toothbrush
100 except that they are in the "200 series." The above discussion with respect to toothbrush
100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush
200.
[0069] Referring now to FIGS 10A-10B concurrently, a manual toothbrush
300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The toothbrush
300 is identical to the toothbrush
100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the hollow cone structure
334 is formed by eight elongated cleaning elements rather than six. In order to avoid
redundancy, a further detailed description of the toothbrush
300 and its functioning is omitted with the understanding that the corresponding elements
of toothbrush
300 are numbered the same as the toothbrush
100 except that they are in the "300 series." The above discussion with respect to toothbrush
100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush
300.
[0070] Referring now to FIGS 11A-11B concurrently, a manual toothbrush
400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The toothbrush
400 is identical to the toothbrush
100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the hollow cone structure
434 is formed by ten elongated cleaning elements rather than six. In order to avoid redundancy,
a further detailed description of the toothbrush
400 and its functioning is omitted with the understanding that the corresponding elements
of toothbrush
400 are numbered the same as the toothbrush
100 except that they are in the "400 series." The above discussion with respect to toothbrush
100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush
400.
[0071] Referring now to FIGS 12A-12C concurrently, a manual toothbrush
500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The toothbrush
500 is identical to the toothbrush
100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the central cleaning elements
135 is omitted and the elongated cleaning elements
534a-f that form the hollow cone structure
534 converge upon the axis B-B, thereby forming a full cone rather than a truncated cone.
In order to avoid redundancy, a further detailed description of the toothbrush 500
and its functioning is omitted with the understanding that the corresponding elements
of toothbrush
500 are numbered the same as the toothbrush
100 except that they are in the "500 series." The above discussion with respect to toothbrush
100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush
400.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 13, a cleaning element disc
600 for incorporation into an ansate oral care implement is illustrated according to
one embodiment of the present invention. The cleaning element disc
600 is essentially a plate-like disc that incorporates the third set
138 of cleaning elements described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8. The apparatus
600 generally comprises a circular base plate
601 and the third set
138 of cleaning elements described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8. In order to avoid
redundancy, a further detailed description of the third set
138 of cleaning elements is omitted. However, it is to be understood that the cleaning
element disc
600 can utilize any of the variations of the cleaning element arrangement disclosed above
with respect to FIGS. 9A-12C.
[0073] The cleaning element disc
600 is particularly suited for use with powered toothbrushes wherein the cleaning element
disc
600 will lock into place on the powered toothbrush and be operably coupled to a rotary
element. The cleaning element disc
600, however, can also be used in manual toothbrushes wherein the cleaning element disc
600 can snap lack/ lock into and out of the head of the toothbrush for replacement. Such
techniques are known in the art.
[0074] Finally, it should be noted that in certain embodiments of the invention, a plurality
of the third sets
138 of cleaning elements can be arranged on the head
120 of the toothbrush
100. In such an embodiment, the third sets
138 of cleaning elements are preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis
A-A of the head
120. Moreover, in such an embodiment, any of the embodiments of the third sets can be
used.
[0075] While a number of embodiments of the current invention have been described and illustrated
in detail, various alternatives and modifications will become readily apparent to
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
As various changes could be made in the above methods, compositions and structures
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained in this application, including all mechanisms and/or modes of interaction
described above, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting in any
way the scope of the appended claims.