CA2170741A1 - Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush - Google Patents
Bristle arrangement for a toothbrushInfo
- Publication number
- CA2170741A1 CA2170741A1 CA002170741A CA2170741A CA2170741A1 CA 2170741 A1 CA2170741 A1 CA 2170741A1 CA 002170741 A CA002170741 A CA 002170741A CA 2170741 A CA2170741 A CA 2170741A CA 2170741 A1 CA2170741 A1 CA 2170741A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tufts
- toothbrush
- tuft
- bristle face
- generally
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
- A46B9/04—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
- A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
Landscapes
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
A toothbrush is provided with a first set of discrete tufts (31) that are generally rectangular in the cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis with the larger dimension running parallel to the side of the brush head (1). A second set of tufts (32) is provided at the end of the head (1) remote from the handle, this set of tufts, or single tuft, having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis that is either 'C' or 'U' shaped or rounded. The arrangement of bristle tufts described provides a lower brushing stiffness in a direction transverse to the longitudinal of the brush.
Description
WO 95/06420 217 0 7 ~ 1 PCTIEP94/02828 BRISTLE ARRANGEMENT FOR A TOOTHBRUSH
This invention relates to a novel device, being a toothbrush.
Toothbrushes are well known articles, and generally comprise a handle, S having at one end thereof a bristle-bearing head, all aligned along a longitu~lin~l toothbrush axis. The bristles on such a head are normally arranged in a pattern of discrete tufts mounted in sockets in a bristle face of the head and e~cten~ling generally perpendicular to the bristle face. In known toothbrushes such tufts are subst~nti~lly circular in cross section and are mounted in ~-b;,~ lly circular section sockets in 10 the head.
Toothbrushes having bristles arranged in a single "mat" covering ~ b~ lly the entire area of the bristle face are known, e.g in US 4646381, which also discloses a toothbrush having a combination of circular sectioned tufts, oval sectioned and rectangular sectione~1 tufts located within a middle area of a larger mat of individual bristles covering a substantial area of the bristle face. US 4268933 discloses atoothbrush having bristles arranged in large tufts of a rectangular shape, having their long dimension aligned substantially across the width of the toothbrush head. US220~173 discloses a toothbrush having elongated rect~ng~ r tufts of brisdes withtheir long flimPn~ion aligned sllbst~n*~lly parallel to the toothbrush axis, ~ltPm~t*ng 20 with rect~ngll~r tufts which tilt together, the bristles in the tufts being fl~ttPnP~l to form a sharp-edged tuft .
Brisde tufts having a s~lbst~nti~lly circular cross section have subst~n*~lly the same stiffness to bending perpenllicnl~r to the lon it~lllin~l axis of the bristdes in the tuft ("the tuft axis") whether this direc*on is parallel to the toothbrush axis or 25 perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, i.e across the width of the toothbrush. This can have the disadvantage that the tufts have s~bst~n*~lly the same s*iffness when the head is being moved generally in the direction of the toothbrush axis across the teeth parallel to the gumline, as when the head is being moved in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, up and down the teeth, crossing the gumline. It 30 is desirable dhat a toothbrush is softer, ie has less stiffne~s to bending when brushing across the gllrnline, to prevent injury to the gumline.
The inventors have devised a toothbrush having a tuft pattern of elongated mats of brisdes, with a rounded tuft of bristles at the end of the head remote from the handle.
The invention therefore provides a toothbrush, having a handle and at one end dhereof a brisde bearing head, the bristles on the head all being arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts projecting from a face ("bristle face") of the toothbrush head in a direc*on generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, char~cteri~e l by one or more of the tufts ("first tufts") having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft WO 95N6420 217 0 7 ~ i PCT/EP94/02828 axis which has a greater ~im~pncion in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally pe pendicular to the toothbrush axis, in combination with one or more tufts ("second tufts") at the end of the tuft pattern remote from the handle, the second tufts being in the form of either (i) a pattern of S discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" aligned generally parallel to the longitl-~lin~l toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the 10 bristle face remote from the handle.
The term "generally parallel to the longit~lrlin~l toothbrush axis" in~ es7 all directions beL~.~e.l absolutely parallel to the lon ih--lin~l axis and parallel to the longitll~in~l sides of the head of the toothbrush. The term "generally circular"inclu(lP.s sellli.;h~;ular.
Typically each of such first tufts covers no more than 25% of the area of the bristle face of the head, for example no more than 20%, suitably less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, for example 1 - 2 % of the area of the bristle face. Typically such tufts may have a ratio of dimension in a direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis (i.e "long ~limen~ion"): ~limpn~ion in a direction generally 20 perpen~licul~r to the toothbrush axis (i.e "width rlimPn~ion") of 1.5: 1 or more, suitably 2: 1 or more, e.g 2.5: 1 or more, for example between 2.5 - 3.5: 1.
The cross section of such first tufts may for example be generally rect~ng~ r in shape over a subst~nti~l part of their cross-sectional area, having the long tlimPn~inn of the rectangle aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis. The term 25 "generally rectangular" includes inter-alia rectangular with rounded corners, lozenge-shaped (i.e two generally parallel long sides and two rounded ends), parallelograrn-shaped and Llapez~idal-shaped.
Alternatively the cross section of one or more of the first tufts may have othergenerally linear polygonal or rounded shapes having a length ~limen~ion aligned 30 generally parallel or subst~nti~lly parallel to the toothbrush axis, for example monfl shaped or rectangular with one or more pointed ends, "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb, e.g at about 45 to the first limb, or "V" shaped having at least one, preferably both, of the limbs of the "V" aligned at an angle less than about 35 45 to the toothbrush axis.
The toothbrush may have a single first tuft or a number of first tufts, and the tufts may be of differing cross-sectional shapes combined, for example rect~ng~ r or lozenge shaped combined with "L" shaped. Typically the toothbrush of the invention may have between 2 to 25 first tufts, which may all be generally rectangular or ~WO95/064:~0 ?l707~l PCT/EP94/02828 lozenge shaped.
For example a first embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long ~lim~ncion S beL~,en about 0.1 and 0.9, for example between 0.25 - 0.75 of the overall length of the bristle face, with a width rlimencion between about 0.05 and 0.5, suitably beL~ n about 0.1 and 0.5 of the width of the bristle face. Typically the pattern of first tufts may comprise bet~,e,l S and 20 of such tufts, for example between 5 and 12. Suchfirst tufts thereby comprise a pattern of long rectangular or lozenge shaped tufts, with their long axes aligned generally parallel to the bristle face. Such first tufts may for exarr~ple each have such a long dimension, e.g about 0.75 of the length of the bristle face, that each tuft extends substantially along the entire length of the bristle face occupied by the first tufts. Alternatively the long ~lim~ncion of individual such first tufts may for example be such, e.g about 0.1 - 0.5 of the length of the bristle face, that such first tufts are arranged in two or more, e.g 2 - 6, lateral rows across the width of the bristle face. The first tufts in this first embodiment may be syl,lll-GLlically diposed about the longit~ in~l axis of the toothbrush.
Alternatively for example a second embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a tuft pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combinP
with, for example alttqrnatin~ with, one or more straight or curved rows ~lign-ocl generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts ("third tufts") which are of generally circular section The first and third tufts of this second emborlim~o-nt may be sy-l-n1etlically disposed about the longit~-~lin~l axis of the toothbrush.
Again altern~tively for example a third embo~ime~t of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combined with, for example alternating with, one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of third tufts which are of ger erally rectangular (as definerl above) section having their longest rlim~nsion aligne~ across the width of the bristle face. The first and third tufts of this third embodiment may be syl~ ically disposed about the longitutlin~l axis of the toothbrjush.
Typically in such a toothbrush there may be 2 to 5, for example 4, lateral rows of first tufts, combined with 1 to 4, for example 3, rows of third tufts. In the rows of first tufts there may for example be 2 to 5 e.g 4 tufts abreast across the width of the bristle face, and in the rows of third tufts there may be for example 2 to 5, e.g 4 third tufts of generally circular section, or 1 to 3, e.g. 2 third tufts of generally rectangular section having their longest rlim~n~ion aligned across the width of the bristle face, abreast across the width of the bristle face.
This invention relates to a novel device, being a toothbrush.
Toothbrushes are well known articles, and generally comprise a handle, S having at one end thereof a bristle-bearing head, all aligned along a longitu~lin~l toothbrush axis. The bristles on such a head are normally arranged in a pattern of discrete tufts mounted in sockets in a bristle face of the head and e~cten~ling generally perpendicular to the bristle face. In known toothbrushes such tufts are subst~nti~lly circular in cross section and are mounted in ~-b;,~ lly circular section sockets in 10 the head.
Toothbrushes having bristles arranged in a single "mat" covering ~ b~ lly the entire area of the bristle face are known, e.g in US 4646381, which also discloses a toothbrush having a combination of circular sectioned tufts, oval sectioned and rectangular sectione~1 tufts located within a middle area of a larger mat of individual bristles covering a substantial area of the bristle face. US 4268933 discloses atoothbrush having bristles arranged in large tufts of a rectangular shape, having their long dimension aligned substantially across the width of the toothbrush head. US220~173 discloses a toothbrush having elongated rect~ng~ r tufts of brisdes withtheir long flimPn~ion aligned sllbst~n*~lly parallel to the toothbrush axis, ~ltPm~t*ng 20 with rect~ngll~r tufts which tilt together, the bristles in the tufts being fl~ttPnP~l to form a sharp-edged tuft .
Brisde tufts having a s~lbst~nti~lly circular cross section have subst~n*~lly the same stiffness to bending perpenllicnl~r to the lon it~lllin~l axis of the bristdes in the tuft ("the tuft axis") whether this direc*on is parallel to the toothbrush axis or 25 perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, i.e across the width of the toothbrush. This can have the disadvantage that the tufts have s~bst~n*~lly the same s*iffness when the head is being moved generally in the direction of the toothbrush axis across the teeth parallel to the gumline, as when the head is being moved in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, up and down the teeth, crossing the gumline. It 30 is desirable dhat a toothbrush is softer, ie has less stiffne~s to bending when brushing across the gllrnline, to prevent injury to the gumline.
The inventors have devised a toothbrush having a tuft pattern of elongated mats of brisdes, with a rounded tuft of bristles at the end of the head remote from the handle.
The invention therefore provides a toothbrush, having a handle and at one end dhereof a brisde bearing head, the bristles on the head all being arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts projecting from a face ("bristle face") of the toothbrush head in a direc*on generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, char~cteri~e l by one or more of the tufts ("first tufts") having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft WO 95N6420 217 0 7 ~ i PCT/EP94/02828 axis which has a greater ~im~pncion in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally pe pendicular to the toothbrush axis, in combination with one or more tufts ("second tufts") at the end of the tuft pattern remote from the handle, the second tufts being in the form of either (i) a pattern of S discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" aligned generally parallel to the longitl-~lin~l toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the 10 bristle face remote from the handle.
The term "generally parallel to the longit~lrlin~l toothbrush axis" in~ es7 all directions beL~.~e.l absolutely parallel to the lon ih--lin~l axis and parallel to the longitll~in~l sides of the head of the toothbrush. The term "generally circular"inclu(lP.s sellli.;h~;ular.
Typically each of such first tufts covers no more than 25% of the area of the bristle face of the head, for example no more than 20%, suitably less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, for example 1 - 2 % of the area of the bristle face. Typically such tufts may have a ratio of dimension in a direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis (i.e "long ~limen~ion"): ~limpn~ion in a direction generally 20 perpen~licul~r to the toothbrush axis (i.e "width rlimPn~ion") of 1.5: 1 or more, suitably 2: 1 or more, e.g 2.5: 1 or more, for example between 2.5 - 3.5: 1.
The cross section of such first tufts may for example be generally rect~ng~ r in shape over a subst~nti~l part of their cross-sectional area, having the long tlimPn~inn of the rectangle aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis. The term 25 "generally rectangular" includes inter-alia rectangular with rounded corners, lozenge-shaped (i.e two generally parallel long sides and two rounded ends), parallelograrn-shaped and Llapez~idal-shaped.
Alternatively the cross section of one or more of the first tufts may have othergenerally linear polygonal or rounded shapes having a length ~limen~ion aligned 30 generally parallel or subst~nti~lly parallel to the toothbrush axis, for example monfl shaped or rectangular with one or more pointed ends, "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb, e.g at about 45 to the first limb, or "V" shaped having at least one, preferably both, of the limbs of the "V" aligned at an angle less than about 35 45 to the toothbrush axis.
The toothbrush may have a single first tuft or a number of first tufts, and the tufts may be of differing cross-sectional shapes combined, for example rect~ng~ r or lozenge shaped combined with "L" shaped. Typically the toothbrush of the invention may have between 2 to 25 first tufts, which may all be generally rectangular or ~WO95/064:~0 ?l707~l PCT/EP94/02828 lozenge shaped.
For example a first embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long ~lim~ncion S beL~,en about 0.1 and 0.9, for example between 0.25 - 0.75 of the overall length of the bristle face, with a width rlimencion between about 0.05 and 0.5, suitably beL~ n about 0.1 and 0.5 of the width of the bristle face. Typically the pattern of first tufts may comprise bet~,e,l S and 20 of such tufts, for example between 5 and 12. Suchfirst tufts thereby comprise a pattern of long rectangular or lozenge shaped tufts, with their long axes aligned generally parallel to the bristle face. Such first tufts may for exarr~ple each have such a long dimension, e.g about 0.75 of the length of the bristle face, that each tuft extends substantially along the entire length of the bristle face occupied by the first tufts. Alternatively the long ~lim~ncion of individual such first tufts may for example be such, e.g about 0.1 - 0.5 of the length of the bristle face, that such first tufts are arranged in two or more, e.g 2 - 6, lateral rows across the width of the bristle face. The first tufts in this first embodiment may be syl,lll-GLlically diposed about the longit~ in~l axis of the toothbrush.
Alternatively for example a second embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a tuft pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combinP
with, for example alttqrnatin~ with, one or more straight or curved rows ~lign-ocl generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts ("third tufts") which are of generally circular section The first and third tufts of this second emborlim~o-nt may be sy-l-n1etlically disposed about the longit~-~lin~l axis of the toothbrush.
Again altern~tively for example a third embo~ime~t of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combined with, for example alternating with, one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of third tufts which are of ger erally rectangular (as definerl above) section having their longest rlim~nsion aligne~ across the width of the bristle face. The first and third tufts of this third embodiment may be syl~ ically disposed about the longitutlin~l axis of the toothbrjush.
Typically in such a toothbrush there may be 2 to 5, for example 4, lateral rows of first tufts, combined with 1 to 4, for example 3, rows of third tufts. In the rows of first tufts there may for example be 2 to 5 e.g 4 tufts abreast across the width of the bristle face, and in the rows of third tufts there may be for example 2 to 5, e.g 4 third tufts of generally circular section, or 1 to 3, e.g. 2 third tufts of generally rectangular section having their longest rlim~n~ion aligned across the width of the bristle face, abreast across the width of the bristle face.
WO 95/06420 - ' ~ PCT/EP94/02828 Alternatively for example a fourth embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long ~imencion bet~ccn about 0.10 - 0.9, typically l~c~ ,en about 0.25 - 0.5, 5 of the overall length of the bristle face, typically the pattern of first tufts may comprise between 2 and 20 of such first tufts, for e~...plr between 5 and 12, such first tufts being combined with one or more first tufts which are "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb, e.g at about 45 to the first limb. Such "L" shaped first 10 tufts may be disposed at the end of the bristle face closest to the handle.The first tufts of this second embodiment may be symmP~ic~lly disposed about the lon~inlrlin~l axis of the toothbrush, and preferably the toothbrush of this embodiment has an even number of such "L" shaped first tufts disposed symm~ir~lly on either side of thelon~itll-lin~l axis of the toothbrush.
When the second tufts comprise a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern such second tufts may be in a pattern of tufts of generally circular section arranged in generally a circle, semi-circle, or polygon (each corner of which corresponding to a centre of one of its tufts3, which may comprise a pattern of individual tufts arranged around a central tuft. Typically a central tuft may be surrounded by a regular, e.g a hexagonal, pattern of such tufts symmetrically arranged, for exarnple such that there are equal numbers of secondtufts, e.g 3 of the surrounding tufts, disposed on either side of the lonpit~l~lin~l axis of the toothbrush. The rli~met~r of such a pattern may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the pattern.
When the second tufts comprise a single tuft of generally rounded, e.g circular, oval or semicircular or semioval cross section perpenrlicul~r to the bristle face the ~ m~ter of such a tuft may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
When the second tufts comprise a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" ~ligne~l generally parallel to the longinlrlin~l toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the brisde face remote from thehandle the rli~meter of the rounded part of such a tuft may typically be around 0.6 -0.9 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft. The longitllrlin~l axis of the toothbrush may symmetrically bisect the "C" or "U".
Tufts of generally circular cross section may additionally or alternatively be combined with the above described ~lrst, second and third tufts having a cross section, perpenflicnl~r to the tuft axis, which has a greater ~limencion in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the WO 95106420 21 7Q 7~ 1 ~ PCT/EP94/02828 toothbrush axis in other ways.
The bristles within the first, second and third tufts may be of subst~nti~lly all the same length, so that the face of the tuft is substantially flat, or alternatively the length of the bristles in the tuft axis direction may vary in length at dirr~.ent points along the direction of the toothbrush axis, or perpen~icul~r to this axis. Such a variation is particularly applicable to toothbrushes of this invention which have alternating rows of tufts of different sections as described above, such as in the second and third embodiments, and where the individual rows may vary in the length of the bristles contained in them. For example relative to the toothbrush axis the tuft may have a "rippled" or "sawtooth" profile of alternating peaks and troughs, forexample as described in DE 34 33 763, WO 91/19437, EP 0449653A, US 4672706, US 451911, US 4268933, US 3229318, US 3188673, US 2797429, US 1943225 and US 74,560 etc.
Suitably the first tufts may comprise bristles of shorter length than those in the second and third tufts, and those of the second and third tufts may be of subst~nt ~lly the same length.
The bristles making up the tufts may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush brictles~ for example Nylon. The bristles may be of generally conventional construction, e.g linear fil~mPntc of the bristle m~te7,~l having rounded polished ends.
The handle and head may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush h~n~lles The head and handle may be of an overall shape conventional to the art of toothbrushes, and the handle may for example include one or more 'V' shaped folds to modify the flexibility characteristics of the handle, for example as desclibed in EP 0336641 A. The handle may also include one or more grip-enhancing portions for example in the form of rubbery grip mats, for example as also desclibed in EP 0336641 A.
The tufts and individual bristles may be mounted in the toothbrush head by essenti~lly conventional techniques. Preferably the bristles are mounted into the toothbrush head by a process in which the ends of the bristles in the tuft to bef~tPne~l into the head ("the fastening ends") are fused together into a mass by heating, and this mass is subsequently or ~imlllt~neously fused with the toothbrush head m~teri~l, by heating the bristles or the mass and the head material to the point of softening, bringing them into contact so that they fuse together, and then cooling them to soli~ific~tion, so that the tuft is in effect welded into the head. Suitably the head may be preformed with one or more sockets corresponding to the position, number and size of the tuft(s), and the tuft(s) may be fused as des~ibed above with the head material around the socket(s). For manufacture by such a process the bristles and head must be made of thermoplastic materials, for exarnple known thermoplastic WO95/06420 Z1 ~7 ~ PCT/EPg4/02828 materials such as nylon at present used in loulh~ ush m~nllfactllre. Suitable processes for making a toothbrush in this way are for exarnple described in US 2664316 andWO 93/12690, the contents of which are inrl~lAed herein by reference.
In an ~Itern~tive method of making the toothbrush of the invention the bristles 5 of the tufts may be first fused into a the-l.lopla~ c block in the above-described tuft pattern, for example using the above-described fusion process, and this block may then be inserted and fixed, e.g by heat welding, into a cavity in the head of the toothbrush, or alternatively the head of the lo~hb.ush may be moulded around theblock.
Alternative methods of making a tov~h~u~h of the invention will be app~,n~
to those skilled in the art.
The toothbrush of this invention may be used in an essenti~lly conventional manner by the user, and the tuft patterns of the toothbrushes of this invention are believed to improve the cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush and is also believed to 15 help to reduce gum injury.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be .~.esentative only and not limitin~ the general concept of this inventio~
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show ~ e~ iews of heads of toothbrushes of this 20 invention.
Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show plan views of tuft p~ttern~ of the bristle faces of heads of toothbrushes of this invention.
Fig. 10 shows a longit~l-lin~l section ~rough the toothbrush of Fig 9.
Referring to Figs 1 to 5 toothbrush heads (1) are shown. Each head (1) is 25 connected to an integral handle (2). The toothbrush axis is in-lir~ted by the line A - A
in Fig 1, the tuft axis by the line B - B in Fig 1, and the width direction of the head (1) by the line C - C in Fig 1.
On each of the heads (1) of Figs 1 to 5 are mounted tufts (3, generally) extentling generally perpendicularly to the bri~le face (lA) of the head (1) generally 30 in the direction of a tuft axis B-B.
In Fig 1 first tufts (31) are rectangularin cross section taken perpen~ nl~r to the tuft axis B - B with two rounded ends, ie lozenge shaped. The pattern of tufts comprises a number tufts (31) having a long ~i~n~n~ion of 0.5 or more of the length of the bristle face (4), which is substantially gn~ater than their width rlimen~ion, the 35 long dimension being aligned sllbst~nti~lly palallel to the toothbrush axis and with one large second tuft (32) of circular cross section perpe~ c~ r to the tuft axis (B -B), at the end of the bristle face (4) remote fro~n the handle (2).
In Fig 2 the first tufts (31) are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, first tufts ~34) are "L" shaped in cross section ~ ~ ~ f W095106420 21 70 74 I PCT/EP9~/02828 taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, with a first limb subst~nti~lly rect<-ngul,-r in cross section with its long limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis, and a second limb (34A) at an angle of about 45 to the first limb. A second tuft (32) is in the shape in section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B of a "U" shape having S two limbs aligned subst~nti~lly parallel to the toothbrush axis, and its rounded bottom adjacent to the end of the head (1) remote from the handle (2). The longitu~lin~l axis A-A of the toothbrush bisects the "U" between its two limbs.
In Fig 3 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of five 10 curved lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4). At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section ~ngeA in a symm~otric~l hexagonal pattern around a central tuR The ~ meter of the pattern of second tufts (32) is about 0.9 of the width of the bristle face (4) taken through the 15 centre of the pattern.
In Fig 4 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are located 20 straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts (33) which are of generally circular section. At the end of the bristle face (lA) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a syll-ll.ell;cal hexagonal pattern around a central tuft. The second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the 25 first tufts (31).
In Fig 5 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, ~ligned generally across the width of the bristle face (lA). Between ~lttorn~te rows of first tufts (31) are located straight 30 rows of third tufts (33) which are of generally rectangular section, but having their longest iim~nsion aligned across the width of the bristle face (lA), and which are aligned generally across the width of the bristle face. At the end of the bristle face (lA) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft. The 35 second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the first tufts (31).
In Figs. 6 to 9, plan views of heads of (1) of toothbrushes of the invention areshown, loolcing down the tuft axis B-B.
In the toothbrushes of Figs. 6 and 7, patterns of tufts (31, 32) similar to those WO95/06420 2170,7~L ' - `~ PcTlEps4lo2828 in the toothbrush of Fig. 3 are shown. The pattern comprises first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of lateral rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4), these rows being culved in Fig. 6 (i.e as shown in Fig. 3) and straight in Fig.
5 7. The lon itl-~lin~l dimension of the first tufts (31) is such that five first tufts occupy the length of the bristle face (4) occupied by first tufts (31). At the end of the bristle face (4) re~note from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft (32).
In the toothbrushes of Figs. 8 and 9, patterns of tufts (31, 32, 33)) similar tothose in the loothbrush of Figs. 4 and 5 are ~ ely shown. The patterns comprise first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpen~licul~r to the tuft axis B - B, and arranged in a series of straight lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (lA). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are respectively located straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face. In Fig. 8 the third tufts (33) are of generally circular section. In Fig 9 the third tufts (33) are of generally rectangular section, ie lozenge shaped, having their longest ~iimen~ion aligned across the width of the bristle face (4). At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft.
P~ef.o-~ng to Fig 10, the head of the toothbrush shown in Fig. 9 is shown in a longirl-rlin~l section about the staggered axis (D - D) shown in Fig 9. The toothbrush comprises a head (1), a handle (2), and first (31), second (32), and third (33) tufts.
The tufts (31, 32, 33) comprise individual bristles all generally aligned in thedirection of the tuft axis (B - B) perpendicular to the bristle face (4). The ends of the bristles in the tufts (31, 32, 33) have been f~ctenerl into the head (1) by fusing them by heat into a mass (5) then cooling. In the bristle face (lA) head are located sockets (6), and each mass (5) is located in a socket (6) and fused in place therein with the material of ~e toothbrush head (1), both the head material and bristle material being thermoplastic. The tufts (31, 32, 33) of the toothbrushes of Figs. 1 to 8 are f~ctt~.nto~l into the heads (1) of their respective toothbrushes in a similar way to that shown in Fig. 10. The technique used to fuse the mass (5) into the socket (6) may be that of US
2664316 orWO 93/10639, or other known methods, and the fixing of the tufts (31, 32, 33) into the head (1) is shown only representatively.
When the second tufts comprise a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern such second tufts may be in a pattern of tufts of generally circular section arranged in generally a circle, semi-circle, or polygon (each corner of which corresponding to a centre of one of its tufts3, which may comprise a pattern of individual tufts arranged around a central tuft. Typically a central tuft may be surrounded by a regular, e.g a hexagonal, pattern of such tufts symmetrically arranged, for exarnple such that there are equal numbers of secondtufts, e.g 3 of the surrounding tufts, disposed on either side of the lonpit~l~lin~l axis of the toothbrush. The rli~met~r of such a pattern may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the pattern.
When the second tufts comprise a single tuft of generally rounded, e.g circular, oval or semicircular or semioval cross section perpenrlicul~r to the bristle face the ~ m~ter of such a tuft may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
When the second tufts comprise a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" ~ligne~l generally parallel to the longinlrlin~l toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the brisde face remote from thehandle the rli~meter of the rounded part of such a tuft may typically be around 0.6 -0.9 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft. The longitllrlin~l axis of the toothbrush may symmetrically bisect the "C" or "U".
Tufts of generally circular cross section may additionally or alternatively be combined with the above described ~lrst, second and third tufts having a cross section, perpenflicnl~r to the tuft axis, which has a greater ~limencion in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the WO 95106420 21 7Q 7~ 1 ~ PCT/EP94/02828 toothbrush axis in other ways.
The bristles within the first, second and third tufts may be of subst~nti~lly all the same length, so that the face of the tuft is substantially flat, or alternatively the length of the bristles in the tuft axis direction may vary in length at dirr~.ent points along the direction of the toothbrush axis, or perpen~icul~r to this axis. Such a variation is particularly applicable to toothbrushes of this invention which have alternating rows of tufts of different sections as described above, such as in the second and third embodiments, and where the individual rows may vary in the length of the bristles contained in them. For example relative to the toothbrush axis the tuft may have a "rippled" or "sawtooth" profile of alternating peaks and troughs, forexample as described in DE 34 33 763, WO 91/19437, EP 0449653A, US 4672706, US 451911, US 4268933, US 3229318, US 3188673, US 2797429, US 1943225 and US 74,560 etc.
Suitably the first tufts may comprise bristles of shorter length than those in the second and third tufts, and those of the second and third tufts may be of subst~nt ~lly the same length.
The bristles making up the tufts may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush brictles~ for example Nylon. The bristles may be of generally conventional construction, e.g linear fil~mPntc of the bristle m~te7,~l having rounded polished ends.
The handle and head may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush h~n~lles The head and handle may be of an overall shape conventional to the art of toothbrushes, and the handle may for example include one or more 'V' shaped folds to modify the flexibility characteristics of the handle, for example as desclibed in EP 0336641 A. The handle may also include one or more grip-enhancing portions for example in the form of rubbery grip mats, for example as also desclibed in EP 0336641 A.
The tufts and individual bristles may be mounted in the toothbrush head by essenti~lly conventional techniques. Preferably the bristles are mounted into the toothbrush head by a process in which the ends of the bristles in the tuft to bef~tPne~l into the head ("the fastening ends") are fused together into a mass by heating, and this mass is subsequently or ~imlllt~neously fused with the toothbrush head m~teri~l, by heating the bristles or the mass and the head material to the point of softening, bringing them into contact so that they fuse together, and then cooling them to soli~ific~tion, so that the tuft is in effect welded into the head. Suitably the head may be preformed with one or more sockets corresponding to the position, number and size of the tuft(s), and the tuft(s) may be fused as des~ibed above with the head material around the socket(s). For manufacture by such a process the bristles and head must be made of thermoplastic materials, for exarnple known thermoplastic WO95/06420 Z1 ~7 ~ PCT/EPg4/02828 materials such as nylon at present used in loulh~ ush m~nllfactllre. Suitable processes for making a toothbrush in this way are for exarnple described in US 2664316 andWO 93/12690, the contents of which are inrl~lAed herein by reference.
In an ~Itern~tive method of making the toothbrush of the invention the bristles 5 of the tufts may be first fused into a the-l.lopla~ c block in the above-described tuft pattern, for example using the above-described fusion process, and this block may then be inserted and fixed, e.g by heat welding, into a cavity in the head of the toothbrush, or alternatively the head of the lo~hb.ush may be moulded around theblock.
Alternative methods of making a tov~h~u~h of the invention will be app~,n~
to those skilled in the art.
The toothbrush of this invention may be used in an essenti~lly conventional manner by the user, and the tuft patterns of the toothbrushes of this invention are believed to improve the cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush and is also believed to 15 help to reduce gum injury.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be .~.esentative only and not limitin~ the general concept of this inventio~
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show ~ e~ iews of heads of toothbrushes of this 20 invention.
Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show plan views of tuft p~ttern~ of the bristle faces of heads of toothbrushes of this invention.
Fig. 10 shows a longit~l-lin~l section ~rough the toothbrush of Fig 9.
Referring to Figs 1 to 5 toothbrush heads (1) are shown. Each head (1) is 25 connected to an integral handle (2). The toothbrush axis is in-lir~ted by the line A - A
in Fig 1, the tuft axis by the line B - B in Fig 1, and the width direction of the head (1) by the line C - C in Fig 1.
On each of the heads (1) of Figs 1 to 5 are mounted tufts (3, generally) extentling generally perpendicularly to the bri~le face (lA) of the head (1) generally 30 in the direction of a tuft axis B-B.
In Fig 1 first tufts (31) are rectangularin cross section taken perpen~ nl~r to the tuft axis B - B with two rounded ends, ie lozenge shaped. The pattern of tufts comprises a number tufts (31) having a long ~i~n~n~ion of 0.5 or more of the length of the bristle face (4), which is substantially gn~ater than their width rlimen~ion, the 35 long dimension being aligned sllbst~nti~lly palallel to the toothbrush axis and with one large second tuft (32) of circular cross section perpe~ c~ r to the tuft axis (B -B), at the end of the bristle face (4) remote fro~n the handle (2).
In Fig 2 the first tufts (31) are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, first tufts ~34) are "L" shaped in cross section ~ ~ ~ f W095106420 21 70 74 I PCT/EP9~/02828 taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, with a first limb subst~nti~lly rect<-ngul,-r in cross section with its long limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis, and a second limb (34A) at an angle of about 45 to the first limb. A second tuft (32) is in the shape in section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B of a "U" shape having S two limbs aligned subst~nti~lly parallel to the toothbrush axis, and its rounded bottom adjacent to the end of the head (1) remote from the handle (2). The longitu~lin~l axis A-A of the toothbrush bisects the "U" between its two limbs.
In Fig 3 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of five 10 curved lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4). At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section ~ngeA in a symm~otric~l hexagonal pattern around a central tuR The ~ meter of the pattern of second tufts (32) is about 0.9 of the width of the bristle face (4) taken through the 15 centre of the pattern.
In Fig 4 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are located 20 straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts (33) which are of generally circular section. At the end of the bristle face (lA) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a syll-ll.ell;cal hexagonal pattern around a central tuft. The second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the 25 first tufts (31).
In Fig 5 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, ~ligned generally across the width of the bristle face (lA). Between ~lttorn~te rows of first tufts (31) are located straight 30 rows of third tufts (33) which are of generally rectangular section, but having their longest iim~nsion aligned across the width of the bristle face (lA), and which are aligned generally across the width of the bristle face. At the end of the bristle face (lA) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft. The 35 second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the first tufts (31).
In Figs. 6 to 9, plan views of heads of (1) of toothbrushes of the invention areshown, loolcing down the tuft axis B-B.
In the toothbrushes of Figs. 6 and 7, patterns of tufts (31, 32) similar to those WO95/06420 2170,7~L ' - `~ PcTlEps4lo2828 in the toothbrush of Fig. 3 are shown. The pattern comprises first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of lateral rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4), these rows being culved in Fig. 6 (i.e as shown in Fig. 3) and straight in Fig.
5 7. The lon itl-~lin~l dimension of the first tufts (31) is such that five first tufts occupy the length of the bristle face (4) occupied by first tufts (31). At the end of the bristle face (4) re~note from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft (32).
In the toothbrushes of Figs. 8 and 9, patterns of tufts (31, 32, 33)) similar tothose in the loothbrush of Figs. 4 and 5 are ~ ely shown. The patterns comprise first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpen~licul~r to the tuft axis B - B, and arranged in a series of straight lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (lA). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are respectively located straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face. In Fig. 8 the third tufts (33) are of generally circular section. In Fig 9 the third tufts (33) are of generally rectangular section, ie lozenge shaped, having their longest ~iimen~ion aligned across the width of the bristle face (4). At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft.
P~ef.o-~ng to Fig 10, the head of the toothbrush shown in Fig. 9 is shown in a longirl-rlin~l section about the staggered axis (D - D) shown in Fig 9. The toothbrush comprises a head (1), a handle (2), and first (31), second (32), and third (33) tufts.
The tufts (31, 32, 33) comprise individual bristles all generally aligned in thedirection of the tuft axis (B - B) perpendicular to the bristle face (4). The ends of the bristles in the tufts (31, 32, 33) have been f~ctenerl into the head (1) by fusing them by heat into a mass (5) then cooling. In the bristle face (lA) head are located sockets (6), and each mass (5) is located in a socket (6) and fused in place therein with the material of ~e toothbrush head (1), both the head material and bristle material being thermoplastic. The tufts (31, 32, 33) of the toothbrushes of Figs. 1 to 8 are f~ctt~.nto~l into the heads (1) of their respective toothbrushes in a similar way to that shown in Fig. 10. The technique used to fuse the mass (5) into the socket (6) may be that of US
2664316 orWO 93/10639, or other known methods, and the fixing of the tufts (31, 32, 33) into the head (1) is shown only representatively.
Claims (23)
1. A toothbrush, having a handle and at one end thereof a bristle bearing head, the bristles on the head all being arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts projecting from a face ("bristle face") of the toothbrush head in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, characterised by one or more of the tufts ("first tufts") having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in thedirection generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, in combination with one or more tufts ("second tufts") at the end of the tuft pattern remote from the handle, the second tufts being in the form of either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle.
2. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised in that each of the first tufts covers no more than 25% of the area of the bristle face of the head.
3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the cross section of such first tufts is generally rectangular in shape over a substantial part of their cross-sectional area, having the long dimension of the rectangle aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis.
4. A toothbrush according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that the cross section of one or more of the first tufts have other generally linear polygonal or rounded shapes having a length dimension aligned generally parallel or substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis.
5. A toothbrush according to claim 4 characterised in that the cross section of one or more of the first tufts is "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb.
6. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by having between 2 to 25 first tufts, being all of generally rectangular or lozenge shape.
7. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised by having a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long dimension between about 0.1 and 0.9 of the overall length of the bristle face, with a width dimension between about 0.05 and 0.5 of the width of the bristle face, comprising between 5 and 20 of such first tufts.
8. A toothbrush according to claim 7 characterised in that the first tufts each have a long dimension that each tuft extends substantially along the entire length of the bristle face occupied by the first tufts.
9. A toothbrush according to claim 7 characterised in that the long dimension ofindividual such first tufts is such that the first tufts are arranged in two or more lateral rows across the width of the bristle face.
10. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised by having a tuft pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combined with, one or more straight or curved lateral rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of third tufts which are of generally circular section.
11. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised by having a tuft pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts combined with one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of third tufts which are of generally rectangular section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face.
12. A toothbrush according to claim 10 or 11 characterised by 2 to 5 lateral rows of first tufts, combined with 1 to 4 rows of third tufts.
13. A toothbrush according to claim 10, 11 or 12 characterised by 2 to 5 first tufts abreast across the width of the bristle face.
14. A toothbrush according to claim 10, 11, 12 or 13 characterised by 2 to 5 third tufts of generally circular section, or 1 to 3 third tufts of generally rectangular section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face, abreast across the width of the bristle face.
15. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised by having a pattern of first tufts arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long dimension between about 0.10 - 0.9 of the overall length of the bristle face, comprising between 2 and 20 of such first tufts, such first tufts being combined with one or more first tufts which are "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb.
16. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that when the second tufts comprise a pattern of discrete tufs arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern such second tufts are in a pattern of tufts of generally circular section arranged in generally a circle or polygon, each corner of whichcorresponding to a centre of one of its tufts, which is arranged around a central tuft.
17. A toothbrush according to claim 16 characterised by a central tuft surrounded by a hexagonal pattern of 6 such tufts symmetrically arranged such that three of the surrounding tufts are disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
18. A toothbrush according to claim 17 characterised in that the diameter of thehexagonal pattern is around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the pattern.
19. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterised in that when the second tufts comprise a single tuft of generally rounded section perpendicular to the bristle face the diameter of such a tuft is around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
20. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterised in that when the second tufts comprise a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U"
aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle the diameter of the rounded part of such a tuft is around 0.6 - 0.9 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle the diameter of the rounded part of such a tuft is around 0.6 - 0.9 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
21. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 20 characterised in that the first tufts comprise bristles of shorter length than those in the second and third tufts, and those of the second and third tufts are of substantially the same length.
22. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the tufts and individual bristles are mounted into the toothbrush head by a process in which the ends of the bristles in the tuft to be fastened into the head ("the fastening ends") are fused together into a mass by heating, and this mass is subsequently or simultaneously fused with the toothbrush head material, by heating the bristles or the mass and the head material to the point of softening, bringing them into contact so that they fuse together, and then cooling them to solidification, so that the tuft is in effect welded into the head.
23. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB939318203A GB9318203D0 (en) | 1993-09-02 | 1993-09-02 | Novel device |
| GB9318203.8 | 1993-09-02 | ||
| GB9411453.5 | 1994-06-08 | ||
| GB9411453A GB9411453D0 (en) | 1994-06-08 | 1994-06-08 | Novel device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2170741A1 true CA2170741A1 (en) | 1995-03-09 |
Family
ID=26303458
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002170741A Abandoned CA2170741A1 (en) | 1993-09-02 | 1994-08-26 | Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush |
Country Status (22)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0716573B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH09502110A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100334375B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1041690C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE147951T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU685493B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9407571A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2170741A1 (en) |
| CZ (1) | CZ288559B6 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE69401595T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0716573T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2097662T3 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI107774B (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3022989T3 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1006268A1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HU215338B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO960855L (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ271670A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL175240B1 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2118111C1 (en) |
| SK (1) | SK279293B6 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1995006420A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (50)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9423421D0 (en) | 1994-11-19 | 1995-01-11 | Smithkline Beecham Plc | Novel device |
| US5628082A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1997-05-13 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with improved efficacy |
| AU6699496A (en) * | 1995-07-14 | 1997-02-18 | Lingner & Fischer Gmbh | Toothbrush |
| JP3528378B2 (en) * | 1995-12-01 | 2004-05-17 | サンスター株式会社 | toothbrush |
| US6886207B1 (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2005-05-03 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Toothbrush |
| BR9806247A (en) | 1997-11-12 | 2000-01-25 | Gillete Canada Inc | Toothbrush. |
| ID28002A (en) * | 1998-05-13 | 2001-05-03 | Sunstar Inc | TOOTH BRUSH |
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-
1994
- 1994-08-26 CN CN94194000A patent/CN1041690C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-08-26 DE DE69401595T patent/DE69401595T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-08-26 HU HU9600514A patent/HU215338B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-08-26 WO PCT/EP1994/002828 patent/WO1995006420A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1994-08-26 SK SK264-96A patent/SK279293B6/en unknown
- 1994-08-26 KR KR1019960701099A patent/KR100334375B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-08-26 PL PL94313293A patent/PL175240B1/en unknown
- 1994-08-26 DE DE4496455T patent/DE4496455T1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-08-26 EP EP94925478A patent/EP0716573B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-08-26 JP JP7507929A patent/JPH09502110A/en not_active Ceased
- 1994-08-26 BR BR9407571A patent/BR9407571A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-08-26 RU RU96107215A patent/RU2118111C1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-08-26 AT AT94925478T patent/ATE147951T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-08-26 NZ NZ271670A patent/NZ271670A/en unknown
- 1994-08-26 CZ CZ1996629A patent/CZ288559B6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-08-26 DK DK94925478.3T patent/DK0716573T3/da active
- 1994-08-26 ES ES94925478T patent/ES2097662T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-08-26 AU AU75372/94A patent/AU685493B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1994-08-26 CA CA002170741A patent/CA2170741A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1996
- 1996-03-01 NO NO960855A patent/NO960855L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1996-03-01 FI FI960976A patent/FI107774B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1997
- 1997-04-01 GR GR970400663T patent/GR3022989T3/en unknown
-
1998
- 1998-06-16 HK HK98105444A patent/HK1006268A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| SK279293B6 (en) | 1998-09-09 |
| DK0716573T3 (en) | 1997-03-10 |
| FI960976A0 (en) | 1996-03-01 |
| FI960976A (en) | 1996-04-26 |
| HUT75134A (en) | 1997-04-28 |
| HU9600514D0 (en) | 1996-04-29 |
| AU7537294A (en) | 1995-03-22 |
| DE69401595T2 (en) | 1997-06-26 |
| CN1134103A (en) | 1996-10-23 |
| AU685493B2 (en) | 1998-01-22 |
| PL175240B1 (en) | 1998-11-30 |
| SK26496A3 (en) | 1996-07-03 |
| ES2097662T3 (en) | 1997-04-01 |
| NO960855D0 (en) | 1996-03-01 |
| DE69401595D1 (en) | 1997-03-06 |
| DE4496455T1 (en) | 1996-11-14 |
| EP0716573B1 (en) | 1997-01-22 |
| CN1041690C (en) | 1999-01-20 |
| RU2118111C1 (en) | 1998-08-27 |
| JPH09502110A (en) | 1997-03-04 |
| BR9407571A (en) | 1996-07-16 |
| EP0716573A1 (en) | 1996-06-19 |
| NZ271670A (en) | 1996-10-28 |
| NO960855L (en) | 1996-04-25 |
| PL313293A1 (en) | 1996-06-24 |
| WO1995006420A1 (en) | 1995-03-09 |
| CZ288559B6 (en) | 2001-07-11 |
| HK1006268A1 (en) | 1999-02-19 |
| ATE147951T1 (en) | 1997-02-15 |
| CZ62996A3 (en) | 1996-10-16 |
| GR3022989T3 (en) | 1997-07-30 |
| KR100334375B1 (en) | 2002-10-18 |
| FI107774B (en) | 2001-10-15 |
| KR960704479A (en) | 1996-10-09 |
| HU215338B (en) | 1998-12-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |