CA2223647A1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents
Toothbrush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2223647A1 CA2223647A1 CA002223647A CA2223647A CA2223647A1 CA 2223647 A1 CA2223647 A1 CA 2223647A1 CA 002223647 A CA002223647 A CA 002223647A CA 2223647 A CA2223647 A CA 2223647A CA 2223647 A1 CA2223647 A1 CA 2223647A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tufts
- clusters
- longitudinal axis
- head
- bristle
- 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
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- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
A toothbrush which has a head and a grip handle, with bristles extending from a bristle face of the head, in which at least some of the bristles are arranged in tufts which have a sectional shape, or are arranged in clusters of tufts which have a sectional shape, which tapers in a direction either away from, or in alternative embodiment towards, the outer edges of the bristle face toward the longitudinal axis, i.e. being respectively wider or narrower at the end towards the said outer edge.
Description
W O 97t03587 PCTAEP96/03104 Toothbrush This invention relates to toothbrushes, particularly to hand held toothbrushes having a novel bristle configuration.
S Toothbrushes generally comprise a head and a grip handle disposed along a longinlllin~l axis. Bristles extend from a bri,tle face of the head in a general bristle direction. Generally the bristles are arranged in tufts which are circular in section across the general bristle direction at their base on the bristle face, although some toothbrushes are known having tufts of other sectional shapes, for example as disclosed in WO95/06420. US 4617695 discloses a toothbrush with all its tufts of a hexagonal section. GB 705725 discloses a toothbrush with tufts of rectangular section. WO 91/19437 discloses a toothbrush having all its tufts of an elongatedoval shape with the long axis of the oval across the longinl~in~l axis of the head.
Circular section tufts are somPtimes not able to reach into the interdental spaces, or otherwise adapt themselves to the shape of the teeth and adjacent areas of the gums, resulting in a reduced cleaning efficiency. It is an object of this inveMion to provide a toothbrush having a novel bristle configuration which in part at least solves this problem.
According to one form of this invention, a toothbrush has a head and a grip handle disposed along a longihl~lin~l axis, with bristles exren-iing from a bristle face of the head in a general bristle direction generally perpen-lielll~r to the longinl-lin~l axis, characterised in that at least some of the bristles are arranged in tufts which have a sectional shape, or are arranged in clusters of tufts which have a sectional shape, across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction away from the outer edges of the bristle face toward the longinl~iin~l axis, being wider at the end towards the said outer edge.
In a second form of this invention, a toothbrush has a head and a grip handle disposed along a longit~ in~l axis, with bristles extending from a bristle face of the head in a general bristle direction generally perpendicular to the longinlrlin~l axis, characterised in that at least some of the bristles are arranged in tufts which have a sectional shape, or are arranged in clusters of tufts which clusters have a sectional shape, across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction awaY from the longihltlin~l axis towards the outer edges of the bristle face, being narrower at the end towards the said outer edge, said tapering section tufts being combined with tufts of other sectional shapQs in the tuft pattern.
The toothbrush of this invention may be provided with a combination of tufts or clusters of both of the above-described sectional shapes, i.e. one or more tufts or clusters which taper in a direction away from the longinlrlin~l axis, and one or more tufts or cluslers which taper in a direction toward the longihl~lin~l axis.
W O 97/03587 PCT~EP96/03104 Examples of sectional shapes which taper in the above-described ways are triangles, with an apex towards the longin-f1in~l axis and a base facing, suitably substantially parallel to, the outer edge, or with an apex toward the outer edge and a base facing, suitably substantially parallel to, the longinl~1in~l axis.
Such triangles may be equiangular. i.e with all three angles and sides the same, or may be irregular, i.e with all three angles and sides different. Such triangles may be isosceles triangles, i.e with two sides and their respective angles with the base being the same, for example with their base generally aligned with the longin--lin~l axis of the toothbrush. Such triangles may be right-angled triangles, for example with a first side substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second side perpen~lie--l~r to the first side.
Suitably the tufts themselves are of the said tapering sectional shape.
The above described triangular sectioned tufts may themselves be arranged in clusters of various numbers of tufts in various shapes, particularly in triangular clusters. For example two such right-angled triangle sectioned tufts may be arranged back-to-back to produce an isosceles triangle shaped cluster. For example three such triangular sectioned tufts may be arranged with their apexes pointinginwardly to form a triangular cluster.
The above mentioned tapering sectional-shaped clusters may alternatively be made up of tufts which have a conventi~n~l rounded shape, e.g made up into a triangle shaped cluster. For example three or more circular section tufts may bearranged in a triangle shaped cluster.
Other examples of such sectional shapes which taper in the above-described ways are pear shapes and ogival shapes, and semi circles or semi ellipses. Also the tufts may have shapes which are bisected by the lonsgin-~lin~l axis, each half of the bisected shape forming one of the above-described shapes. Examples of such shapes include diamond shapes and butterfly shapes. For example bisection of a diamond shape by an axis passing through two opposed apexes generates two triangle shapes on either side of the axis, and bisection of a diamond shape by an axis passing through its waist generates two triangle shapes on either side of the axis.
Suitably tufts and clusters of tufts having sectional shapes which taper have a point or a base, as a~iuL,l iate, which lies at or along the outer edge of the tuft pattern on the bristle face, to enable the said tufts to easily come into contac~ with the teeth during brushing.
The above mentioned tufts and clusters having a sectional shape which tapers (respectively "first tufts and clusters") may be combined in a tuft pattern with tufts of other sectional shapes to enh~nee the cleaning effect. The said first tufts and clusters tufts have the advantage of improved conformation to the concavity of the W O 97/03587 PCT~EP96/03104 curve of the gumline where the teeth meet the gums, and the combination of thesetufts with tufts of other sectional shapes can enhance the cleaning effect, for example if such other sectional shaped tufts are suited to clean other areas of the tooth or gum surface, the gumline or interdental spaces.
Such tufts of other sectional shapes may be of a conventional circular section shape, but in one such embodiment of this invention first tufts are combined with tufts (termed herein "second tufts"), having a sectional shape across the general bristle direction. which is elongated in a direction generally aligned with the longin-tlin~1 axis. Examples of such shapes are rectangular or lozenge shapes elongated in a direction generally parallel to the longin1~lin~1 axis.
At the end of the head extreme from the handle, there may be a rounded, e.g. circular, oval or polygonal pattern of tufts for example in the form of a polygon of tufts optionally surrounding a central tuft, or alternatively a single large section tuft of rounded or polygonal shape (all herein termed "third tuft(s)"),. The term "rounded" used in the context of these third tuft(s) means an im"gin~ry closed curved line can be drawn through the tufts at the perimeter of the cluster, e.g through the corners of a polygon.
In another embodiment the said first tufts may be combined with one or more tufts (termed "fourth tufts") which have a sectional shape across the general bristle direction which is longer in a direction generally perpendicular to the longin-~lin~1 axis than along this axis. For example the shape may be an oval, rectangular or lozenge shape elongated in a direction generally perpen~ r to thelongin1rlin~1 axis.
Also, when two of t'ne said first tufts or clusters are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the longit~1~lin~1 axis, between them, i.e. on or disposed about the longin1~in~1 axis there may be one or more tufts situated between them.
In one embodiment of this invention the said first, second, third and fourth tufts may be arranged on the toothbrush head in an arrangement comprising a pattern of third tufts at the end of the head remote from the handle, then a sequence of sets of first tufts evemy disposed on either side of the longin1-lin~1 axis optionally with one or more fourth tufts between them, longin-~lin~11y alternating with a pattern of second tufts. Suitably in this embodirnent there are first tufts longin1~lin~11y adjacent to the third tufts, adjacent the base end of the head, and at or near the longin1~7in~1 midpoint of the head.
In another embodiment of this invention the said first, second and third tufts J may be arranged on the toothbrush head in an arrangement comprising a pattern of third tufts at the end of the head remote from the handle, then in sequence towards the handle a sequence of one or more transverse rows of second tufts, then sets of first tufts of triangular section evenly disposed on either side of the longin1tlin~1 W O 97/03587 PCT~EP96/03104 axis, optionally with one or more fourth tufts between them, then a further sequence of one or more rows of second tufts, then ad~acent the base of the head a further set of first tufts of triangular section evenly disposed on either side of the longinldin~
axis.
In the above described embodimenrs the said first, second. third and fourth tufts may all extend to the same distance from the bristle face, or they may vary in length so that the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face lie in an lln~nl~tinsJ surface. Suitably the said first. and optionally also the said third, tufts may be longer than the said second tufts.
The tufts of bristles, of all types, may be fixed into the toothbrush head by conventional means, for example conventional small metal clips ret~ining them insocket holes in the head, or alternatively they may be fused into the material of the head by known processes, e.g. as disclosed in US 4637660 or EP 0142885A.
The head and handle of the toothbrush may be made of plastics materials which are conventional in the toothbrush industry, using a conventional injection moulding process. Alternatively the head and handle may be made by the novel process disclosed in GB 9513883.0 (filed 7 July 1995 and continued as a PCT
application cl~iming priority thc.er,o-ll, the contents of which are inrl~ d herein by way of reference), in which the head is made first with a first engagement part and the handle is then forrned with a second engagement part in engagement with the first engagement part.
The head and handle may include known r~aLulcs of toothbrushes, for example elastomeric grip mats on the handle, and regions which modify flexibility, for example folded regions or cut-outs com~ining an elastomeric material. The head may have an nn~ ting surface as disclosed in PCT/EP96/00714, the contents of which are included herein by way of reference. The bristles may be made of conventional materials, for example known nylon fil~mPn~c.
The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig 1 shows a plan view of a toothbrush head of this invention.
Fig 2 shows a perspective view of the toothbrush head of Fig 1.
Fig 3 shows a plan view of an alternative toothbrush head of this invention.
Fig 4 shows a plan view of another alternative toothbrush head of this invention.
Referring to Figs 1 and 2, the head 1 of a toothbrush is shown in a plan view. At one end the head 1 connects to a grip handle (not shown) via neck 2 in a conventional manner, the head 1 and handle being integrally made of plastics material. The head 1 and handle lie along a longit~ in~l axis A--A.
W O 97/03S87 PCT~EP96/03104 From a bristle face 3 of the head 1 extend bristles 4, 5, 6, 7 arranged in tufts. The view of Fig 1 (and Fig. 3) is down the general bristle direction B--B in which the bristles extend.
Some of the tufts 4 are arranged in tufts which have a section, across the general bristle direction, which is a right-angled triangle, with one of the right angled sides generaliy perpendicular to the longinl~lin~l axis A--A, and the other generally parallel to it. The cross section of these triangles taper in a direction away from the outer edge of the bristle face 3, with their base toward the outeredge. At about the longihl~lin~l mid-point along the edge, two such tufts on each side of the longin--1in~1 axis A--A, 4A, 4B are arranged back-to-back to form anisosceles triangle. The triangular section tufts 4 are disposed such that one of their edges lies at the outer edge of the tuft pattern, with an apex toward the longinlrlin~l axis A--A.
~It~rn"ting with the triangular section tufts 4 is a pattern of second tufts 5, which have a sectional shape, across their bristle direction, which is elongated in a direction generally parallel to the longih-~1in"l axis A--A, being substantiallylozenge shaped.
At the end of the head 1 remote from the neck 2 are third tufts 6 in the form of a polygonal pattern arranged around a central tuft.
Where some of the first tufts 4 are opposite each other across tne longi~lin"l axis A--A there are fourth tufts 7 between them, on the lorlgihl-lin~l axis A-A of the head 1, having a sectional shape across their bristle direction which is elongated in a direction across the longit~l~in~l axis A--A, being of oval section.
As shown in Fig. 2 the first, third and fourth tufts 4, 6, 7 extend further from the bristle face 3 than the second tufts 5, so that the surface in which the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face 3 is nn~ ting.
Referring to Fig. 3 an alternative construction of toothbrush head is shown, in which features corresponding to the toothbrush of Figs 1 and 2 are correspondingly numbered. In the toothbrush of Fig 3 the first tufts 8, 8A, 8B are right angled triangle shaped in section across the bristle direction, but taper in a direction away from the longinlflin~l axis A-A, such that the base of the triangle faces the longitll~lin~l axis and the apex is toward the outer edge of the tuft pattern.
Referring to Fig. 4 another alternative construction of toothbrush head is shown. First 4, second 5 and third 6 tufts are arranged on the toothbrush head 1 in an arrangement comprising a pattern of third tufts 6, in the form of a polygonalJ pattern arranged around a central tuft, at the end of the head 1 remote from the neck 2. In sequence towards the neck 2 is firstly a sequence of three rows of second tufts 5A. This is followed by a set of first tufts 4A of triangular section, in two clusters each of three triangular sectioned tufts 4A, the section of each of which tapers in a s direction away from the outer edge of the bristle face 3, being in a triangular pattern, itself with its base towards the edge of the bristle face 3, being evenly disposed on either side of the longih~ n~l axis A-A. Then there is a further sequence of rows of second tufts 5B. Then adjacent the base of the head 1 is a 5 further set of first tufts 4 of triangular seclion, in two clusters each of three triangular sectioned tufts 4, the section of each of which tapers in a directior away from the outer edge of the bristle face 3. being in a triangular pattern, itself with its base towards the edge of the bristle face 3~ being evenly disposed on either side of the longih--1in~l axis A-A.
The toothbrush of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is used in the same way as known toothbrushes, preferably in a manner as recommended by dental practitioners. Thetriangular sectional shape of the first tufts 4 and 8 enable the bristles in these tufts to accomrnodate themselves better to the shape of the teeth, particularly the gumline. The second, third and fourth tufts 5, 6 and 7 f~rilit~tP: cleaning of the 15 other areas of the teeth and the interdental spaces. The overall combination of tufts on the toothbrush of the invention therefore results in an advantageous tooth clP~ning effect.
S Toothbrushes generally comprise a head and a grip handle disposed along a longinlllin~l axis. Bristles extend from a bri,tle face of the head in a general bristle direction. Generally the bristles are arranged in tufts which are circular in section across the general bristle direction at their base on the bristle face, although some toothbrushes are known having tufts of other sectional shapes, for example as disclosed in WO95/06420. US 4617695 discloses a toothbrush with all its tufts of a hexagonal section. GB 705725 discloses a toothbrush with tufts of rectangular section. WO 91/19437 discloses a toothbrush having all its tufts of an elongatedoval shape with the long axis of the oval across the longinl~in~l axis of the head.
Circular section tufts are somPtimes not able to reach into the interdental spaces, or otherwise adapt themselves to the shape of the teeth and adjacent areas of the gums, resulting in a reduced cleaning efficiency. It is an object of this inveMion to provide a toothbrush having a novel bristle configuration which in part at least solves this problem.
According to one form of this invention, a toothbrush has a head and a grip handle disposed along a longihl~lin~l axis, with bristles exren-iing from a bristle face of the head in a general bristle direction generally perpen-lielll~r to the longinl-lin~l axis, characterised in that at least some of the bristles are arranged in tufts which have a sectional shape, or are arranged in clusters of tufts which have a sectional shape, across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction away from the outer edges of the bristle face toward the longinl~iin~l axis, being wider at the end towards the said outer edge.
In a second form of this invention, a toothbrush has a head and a grip handle disposed along a longit~ in~l axis, with bristles extending from a bristle face of the head in a general bristle direction generally perpendicular to the longinlrlin~l axis, characterised in that at least some of the bristles are arranged in tufts which have a sectional shape, or are arranged in clusters of tufts which clusters have a sectional shape, across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction awaY from the longihltlin~l axis towards the outer edges of the bristle face, being narrower at the end towards the said outer edge, said tapering section tufts being combined with tufts of other sectional shapQs in the tuft pattern.
The toothbrush of this invention may be provided with a combination of tufts or clusters of both of the above-described sectional shapes, i.e. one or more tufts or clusters which taper in a direction away from the longinlrlin~l axis, and one or more tufts or cluslers which taper in a direction toward the longihl~lin~l axis.
W O 97/03587 PCT~EP96/03104 Examples of sectional shapes which taper in the above-described ways are triangles, with an apex towards the longin-f1in~l axis and a base facing, suitably substantially parallel to, the outer edge, or with an apex toward the outer edge and a base facing, suitably substantially parallel to, the longinl~1in~l axis.
Such triangles may be equiangular. i.e with all three angles and sides the same, or may be irregular, i.e with all three angles and sides different. Such triangles may be isosceles triangles, i.e with two sides and their respective angles with the base being the same, for example with their base generally aligned with the longin--lin~l axis of the toothbrush. Such triangles may be right-angled triangles, for example with a first side substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second side perpen~lie--l~r to the first side.
Suitably the tufts themselves are of the said tapering sectional shape.
The above described triangular sectioned tufts may themselves be arranged in clusters of various numbers of tufts in various shapes, particularly in triangular clusters. For example two such right-angled triangle sectioned tufts may be arranged back-to-back to produce an isosceles triangle shaped cluster. For example three such triangular sectioned tufts may be arranged with their apexes pointinginwardly to form a triangular cluster.
The above mentioned tapering sectional-shaped clusters may alternatively be made up of tufts which have a conventi~n~l rounded shape, e.g made up into a triangle shaped cluster. For example three or more circular section tufts may bearranged in a triangle shaped cluster.
Other examples of such sectional shapes which taper in the above-described ways are pear shapes and ogival shapes, and semi circles or semi ellipses. Also the tufts may have shapes which are bisected by the lonsgin-~lin~l axis, each half of the bisected shape forming one of the above-described shapes. Examples of such shapes include diamond shapes and butterfly shapes. For example bisection of a diamond shape by an axis passing through two opposed apexes generates two triangle shapes on either side of the axis, and bisection of a diamond shape by an axis passing through its waist generates two triangle shapes on either side of the axis.
Suitably tufts and clusters of tufts having sectional shapes which taper have a point or a base, as a~iuL,l iate, which lies at or along the outer edge of the tuft pattern on the bristle face, to enable the said tufts to easily come into contac~ with the teeth during brushing.
The above mentioned tufts and clusters having a sectional shape which tapers (respectively "first tufts and clusters") may be combined in a tuft pattern with tufts of other sectional shapes to enh~nee the cleaning effect. The said first tufts and clusters tufts have the advantage of improved conformation to the concavity of the W O 97/03587 PCT~EP96/03104 curve of the gumline where the teeth meet the gums, and the combination of thesetufts with tufts of other sectional shapes can enhance the cleaning effect, for example if such other sectional shaped tufts are suited to clean other areas of the tooth or gum surface, the gumline or interdental spaces.
Such tufts of other sectional shapes may be of a conventional circular section shape, but in one such embodiment of this invention first tufts are combined with tufts (termed herein "second tufts"), having a sectional shape across the general bristle direction. which is elongated in a direction generally aligned with the longin-tlin~1 axis. Examples of such shapes are rectangular or lozenge shapes elongated in a direction generally parallel to the longin1~lin~1 axis.
At the end of the head extreme from the handle, there may be a rounded, e.g. circular, oval or polygonal pattern of tufts for example in the form of a polygon of tufts optionally surrounding a central tuft, or alternatively a single large section tuft of rounded or polygonal shape (all herein termed "third tuft(s)"),. The term "rounded" used in the context of these third tuft(s) means an im"gin~ry closed curved line can be drawn through the tufts at the perimeter of the cluster, e.g through the corners of a polygon.
In another embodiment the said first tufts may be combined with one or more tufts (termed "fourth tufts") which have a sectional shape across the general bristle direction which is longer in a direction generally perpendicular to the longin-~lin~1 axis than along this axis. For example the shape may be an oval, rectangular or lozenge shape elongated in a direction generally perpen~ r to thelongin1rlin~1 axis.
Also, when two of t'ne said first tufts or clusters are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the longit~1~lin~1 axis, between them, i.e. on or disposed about the longin1~in~1 axis there may be one or more tufts situated between them.
In one embodiment of this invention the said first, second, third and fourth tufts may be arranged on the toothbrush head in an arrangement comprising a pattern of third tufts at the end of the head remote from the handle, then a sequence of sets of first tufts evemy disposed on either side of the longin1-lin~1 axis optionally with one or more fourth tufts between them, longin-~lin~11y alternating with a pattern of second tufts. Suitably in this embodirnent there are first tufts longin1~lin~11y adjacent to the third tufts, adjacent the base end of the head, and at or near the longin1~7in~1 midpoint of the head.
In another embodiment of this invention the said first, second and third tufts J may be arranged on the toothbrush head in an arrangement comprising a pattern of third tufts at the end of the head remote from the handle, then in sequence towards the handle a sequence of one or more transverse rows of second tufts, then sets of first tufts of triangular section evenly disposed on either side of the longin1tlin~1 W O 97/03587 PCT~EP96/03104 axis, optionally with one or more fourth tufts between them, then a further sequence of one or more rows of second tufts, then ad~acent the base of the head a further set of first tufts of triangular section evenly disposed on either side of the longinldin~
axis.
In the above described embodimenrs the said first, second. third and fourth tufts may all extend to the same distance from the bristle face, or they may vary in length so that the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face lie in an lln~nl~tinsJ surface. Suitably the said first. and optionally also the said third, tufts may be longer than the said second tufts.
The tufts of bristles, of all types, may be fixed into the toothbrush head by conventional means, for example conventional small metal clips ret~ining them insocket holes in the head, or alternatively they may be fused into the material of the head by known processes, e.g. as disclosed in US 4637660 or EP 0142885A.
The head and handle of the toothbrush may be made of plastics materials which are conventional in the toothbrush industry, using a conventional injection moulding process. Alternatively the head and handle may be made by the novel process disclosed in GB 9513883.0 (filed 7 July 1995 and continued as a PCT
application cl~iming priority thc.er,o-ll, the contents of which are inrl~ d herein by way of reference), in which the head is made first with a first engagement part and the handle is then forrned with a second engagement part in engagement with the first engagement part.
The head and handle may include known r~aLulcs of toothbrushes, for example elastomeric grip mats on the handle, and regions which modify flexibility, for example folded regions or cut-outs com~ining an elastomeric material. The head may have an nn~ ting surface as disclosed in PCT/EP96/00714, the contents of which are included herein by way of reference. The bristles may be made of conventional materials, for example known nylon fil~mPn~c.
The invention will now be illustrated by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig 1 shows a plan view of a toothbrush head of this invention.
Fig 2 shows a perspective view of the toothbrush head of Fig 1.
Fig 3 shows a plan view of an alternative toothbrush head of this invention.
Fig 4 shows a plan view of another alternative toothbrush head of this invention.
Referring to Figs 1 and 2, the head 1 of a toothbrush is shown in a plan view. At one end the head 1 connects to a grip handle (not shown) via neck 2 in a conventional manner, the head 1 and handle being integrally made of plastics material. The head 1 and handle lie along a longit~ in~l axis A--A.
W O 97/03S87 PCT~EP96/03104 From a bristle face 3 of the head 1 extend bristles 4, 5, 6, 7 arranged in tufts. The view of Fig 1 (and Fig. 3) is down the general bristle direction B--B in which the bristles extend.
Some of the tufts 4 are arranged in tufts which have a section, across the general bristle direction, which is a right-angled triangle, with one of the right angled sides generaliy perpendicular to the longinl~lin~l axis A--A, and the other generally parallel to it. The cross section of these triangles taper in a direction away from the outer edge of the bristle face 3, with their base toward the outeredge. At about the longihl~lin~l mid-point along the edge, two such tufts on each side of the longin--1in~1 axis A--A, 4A, 4B are arranged back-to-back to form anisosceles triangle. The triangular section tufts 4 are disposed such that one of their edges lies at the outer edge of the tuft pattern, with an apex toward the longinlrlin~l axis A--A.
~It~rn"ting with the triangular section tufts 4 is a pattern of second tufts 5, which have a sectional shape, across their bristle direction, which is elongated in a direction generally parallel to the longih-~1in"l axis A--A, being substantiallylozenge shaped.
At the end of the head 1 remote from the neck 2 are third tufts 6 in the form of a polygonal pattern arranged around a central tuft.
Where some of the first tufts 4 are opposite each other across tne longi~lin"l axis A--A there are fourth tufts 7 between them, on the lorlgihl-lin~l axis A-A of the head 1, having a sectional shape across their bristle direction which is elongated in a direction across the longit~l~in~l axis A--A, being of oval section.
As shown in Fig. 2 the first, third and fourth tufts 4, 6, 7 extend further from the bristle face 3 than the second tufts 5, so that the surface in which the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face 3 is nn~ ting.
Referring to Fig. 3 an alternative construction of toothbrush head is shown, in which features corresponding to the toothbrush of Figs 1 and 2 are correspondingly numbered. In the toothbrush of Fig 3 the first tufts 8, 8A, 8B are right angled triangle shaped in section across the bristle direction, but taper in a direction away from the longinlflin~l axis A-A, such that the base of the triangle faces the longitll~lin~l axis and the apex is toward the outer edge of the tuft pattern.
Referring to Fig. 4 another alternative construction of toothbrush head is shown. First 4, second 5 and third 6 tufts are arranged on the toothbrush head 1 in an arrangement comprising a pattern of third tufts 6, in the form of a polygonalJ pattern arranged around a central tuft, at the end of the head 1 remote from the neck 2. In sequence towards the neck 2 is firstly a sequence of three rows of second tufts 5A. This is followed by a set of first tufts 4A of triangular section, in two clusters each of three triangular sectioned tufts 4A, the section of each of which tapers in a s direction away from the outer edge of the bristle face 3, being in a triangular pattern, itself with its base towards the edge of the bristle face 3, being evenly disposed on either side of the longih~ n~l axis A-A. Then there is a further sequence of rows of second tufts 5B. Then adjacent the base of the head 1 is a 5 further set of first tufts 4 of triangular seclion, in two clusters each of three triangular sectioned tufts 4, the section of each of which tapers in a directior away from the outer edge of the bristle face 3. being in a triangular pattern, itself with its base towards the edge of the bristle face 3~ being evenly disposed on either side of the longih--1in~l axis A-A.
The toothbrush of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 is used in the same way as known toothbrushes, preferably in a manner as recommended by dental practitioners. Thetriangular sectional shape of the first tufts 4 and 8 enable the bristles in these tufts to accomrnodate themselves better to the shape of the teeth, particularly the gumline. The second, third and fourth tufts 5, 6 and 7 f~rilit~tP: cleaning of the 15 other areas of the teeth and the interdental spaces. The overall combination of tufts on the toothbrush of the invention therefore results in an advantageous tooth clP~ning effect.
Claims (17)
1. A toothbrush which has a head (1) and a grip handle (2) disposed along a longitudinal axis, with bristles (4, 5, 6, 7) extending from a bristle face (3) of the head (1) in a general bristle direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least some of the bristles are arranged in tufts (4) which have a sectional shape, or are arranged in clusters of tufts which have a sectional shape, across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction away from the outer edges of the bristle face (3) toward the longitudinal axis, being wider at the end towards the said outer edge: characterised in that at the end of the head (1) extreme from the handle (2), there is a rounded, or polygonal pattern of tufts (6) or alternatively a single large section tuft of rounded or polygonal shape ("third tufts ").
2. A toothbrush which has a head (1) and a grip handle (2) disposed along a longitudinal axis, with bristles extending from a bristle face (3) of the head (1) in a general bristle direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least some of the bristles are arranged in tufts (8) which have a sectional shape, or are arranged in clusters of tufts which clusters have a sectional shape, across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction away from the longitudinal axis towards the outer edges of the bristle face (3), being narrower at the end towards the said outer edge, said tapering section tufts being combined with tufts (5, 6, 7) of other sectional shapes in the tuft pattern: characterised in that at the end of the head (1) extreme from the handle (2), there is a rounded, or polygonal pattern of tufts (6) or alternatively a single large section tuft of rounded or polygonal shape ("third tufts ").
3. A toothbrush which has a head (1) and a grip handle (2) disposed along a longitudinal axis, with bristles extending from a bristle face (3) of the head (1) in a general bristle direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, characterised in that at least some of the bristles are arranged in clusters of tufts (8) which have a sectional shape across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction away from the longitudinal axis towards the outer edges of the bristle face (3), being narrower at the end towards the said outer edge, said tapering section tufts being combined with tufts (5, 6, 7) of other sectional shapes in the tuft pattern;
or at least some of the bristles are arranged in clusters of tufts (4) which have a sectional shape across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction away from the outer edges of the bristle face (3) toward the longitudinal axis, being wider at the end towards the said outer edge.
or at least some of the bristles are arranged in clusters of tufts (4) which have a sectional shape across the general bristle direction, which tapers in a direction away from the outer edges of the bristle face (3) toward the longitudinal axis, being wider at the end towards the said outer edge.
4. A toothbrush according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised by being provided with a combination of one or more tufts (8) or clusters which taper in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, and one or more tufts (4) or clusters which taper in a direction toward the longitudinal axis.
5. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the said sectional shapes which taper are triangles.
6. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterised in that the tufts themselves are of the said tapering sectional shape.
7. A toothbrush according to claim 6 characterised in that triangular sectioned tufts are themselves arranged in triangular clusters (4B, 8A, 8B).
8. A toothbrush according to claim 7 characterised in that two right-angled triangle sectioned tufts (8A, 8B) are arranged back-to-back to produce an isosceles triangle shaped cluster.
9. A toothbrush according to claim 7 characterised in that three triangular sectioned tufts are arranged with their apexes pointing inwardly to form a triangular cluster (4B).
10. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 3 to 5 characterised in that tapering sectional-shaped clusters are made up of tufts which have a rounded shape and are arranged in a triangle shaped cluster.
11. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that tufts and clusters of tufts having sectional shapes which taper have a point or a base, as appropriate, which lies at or along the outer edge of the tuft pattern on the bristle face.
12. A toothbrush according to claim 3 characterised in that at the end of the head (1) extreme from the handle (2), there is a rounded, or polygonal pattern of tufts (6) or alternatively a single large section tuft of rounded or polygonal shape ("third tufts").
13. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the tufts (4), (8) and/or clusters having a sectional shape which tapers (respectively "first tufts and clusters") are combined in a tuft pattern with tufts (5) ("second tuft(s)") having a sectional shape across the general bristle direction, which is elongated in a direction generally aligned with the longitudinal axis.
14. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the said first tufts (4) are combined with one or more tufts (7) which have a sectional shape across the general bristle direction which is longer in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis than along this axis ("fourth tufts").
15. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that two of the said first tufts or clusters (8A, 8B,) are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and there are one or more tufts (7) situated between them.
16. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the said first, second, third and fourth tufts (4, 5, 6, 7) vary in length so that the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face lie in an undulating surface.
17. A toothbrush according to claim 16 characterised in that the said first (4),and optionally also the said third (6), tufts are longer than the said second tufts (5).
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9514408.5 | 1995-07-14 | ||
| GBGB9514408.5A GB9514408D0 (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1995-07-14 | Toothbrush |
| GBGB9524817.5A GB9524817D0 (en) | 1995-12-05 | 1995-12-05 | Toothbrush |
| GB9524817.5 | 1995-12-05 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2223647A1 true CA2223647A1 (en) | 1997-02-06 |
Family
ID=26307399
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002223647A Abandoned CA2223647A1 (en) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-07-10 | Toothbrush |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1011375B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2002502268A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE240668T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6699496A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2223647A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69628347T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2200069T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997003587A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6886207B1 (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2005-05-03 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Toothbrush |
| GB2327867A (en) * | 1997-07-31 | 1999-02-10 | Stafford Miller Ltd | Toothbrush:bristle tufts |
| US20020138926A1 (en) | 2001-04-02 | 2002-10-03 | Braun Gmbh | Electric toothbrush head |
| DE10122987B4 (en) * | 2001-05-11 | 2007-07-12 | Bürstenmann GmbH | toothbrush head |
| DE10123258A1 (en) | 2001-05-12 | 2002-11-21 | Braun Gmbh | toothbrush head |
| US7143462B2 (en) | 2002-09-20 | 2006-12-05 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
| GB0123939D0 (en) | 2001-10-05 | 2001-11-28 | Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healt | Toothbrush |
| DE20213083U1 (en) | 2002-08-27 | 2002-10-17 | F.A. Rueb Holding GmbH, 79677 Schönau | Toothbrush with a handle and an elongated bristle field |
| DE20213325U1 (en) | 2002-08-30 | 2002-10-17 | F.A. Rueb Holding GmbH, 79677 Schönau | Brush head with an essentially round bristle field |
| CN101862227A (en) | 2003-04-23 | 2010-10-20 | 宝洁公司 | Toothbrush head and toothbrush with vertical axis |
| DE10332872A1 (en) | 2003-07-19 | 2005-02-17 | Braun Gmbh | manual toothbrush |
| JP4816037B2 (en) | 2005-12-02 | 2011-11-16 | サンスター株式会社 | toothbrush |
| WO2015145350A1 (en) * | 2014-03-25 | 2015-10-01 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Brush head arrangements |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1981657A (en) * | 1934-03-26 | 1934-11-20 | Romie H Miller | Toothbrush |
| DE4010671A1 (en) * | 1990-04-03 | 1990-08-23 | Jovica Vukosavljevic | Multipurpose tooth-brush assembly - has two rows of wedge shaped tufts of bristles arranged in inner and outer rows |
| HU215338B (en) * | 1993-09-02 | 1998-12-28 | Lingner + Fischer Gmbh. | Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush |
-
1996
- 1996-07-10 AU AU66994/96A patent/AU6699496A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-07-10 AT AT96927007T patent/ATE240668T1/en active
- 1996-07-10 WO PCT/EP1996/003104 patent/WO1997003587A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-07-10 ES ES96927007T patent/ES2200069T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-07-10 JP JP50627797A patent/JP2002502268A/en active Pending
- 1996-07-10 CA CA002223647A patent/CA2223647A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-07-10 EP EP96927007A patent/EP1011375B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1996-07-10 DE DE69628347T patent/DE69628347T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ATE240668T1 (en) | 2003-06-15 |
| JP2002502268A (en) | 2002-01-22 |
| EP1011375A1 (en) | 2000-06-28 |
| DE69628347T2 (en) | 2004-02-26 |
| ES2200069T3 (en) | 2004-03-01 |
| EP1011375B1 (en) | 2003-05-21 |
| AU6699496A (en) | 1997-02-18 |
| WO1997003587A1 (en) | 1997-02-06 |
| DE69628347D1 (en) | 2003-06-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |