CA2818285A1 - Toothbrush head and ergonomic toothbrush handle - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a tooth cleaning implement having an articulating head region and an ergonomically shaped body region. The head region comprises a horizontal crown hingedly connecting to first and second perpendicular side portions to form a U-shape.
Inwardly directed bristles from the crown and side portions create an encompassing brush head adapted to contact the occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of a tooth and gum line therebelow for cleaning and removing debris. Along the outer surface of the crown portion is an area of upstanding bristles for cleaning teeth opposing those within the interior of the head region. The body region comprises an ergonomic shape for easily handling while brushing, wherein the body comprises a multi-material construction that provides both a cushioned feel and stable handling. The body region further comprises upstanding palm grips, a thumb grip area, and a flexible distal end to allow flexing of the toothbrush head.

Description

TOOTHBRUSH HEAD AND ERGONOMIC TOOTHBRUSH HANDLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to dental hygiene devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new and improved toothbrush device that incorporates an articulating head and an ergonomic handle for cleaning and brushing the multiple surfaces of teeth and along the gum line in a simultaneous fashion.

[0003] It is well understood that poor dental hygiene, and more particularly poor brushing habits, can lead to various oral maladies related to the structure of one's teeth, gums, and tongue. These generally include plaque buildup, gum diseases and tooth decay. It is submitted that proper cleaning of teeth surfaces, between teeth and along the gum line can prevent or reduce instances of these conditions, wherein debris, plaque and bacteria are removed from the surfaces of the mouth by the contact of the toothbrush in conjunction with toothpaste dentifrice. Proper brushing of one's teeth involves comprehensively cleaning both the surfaces of each tooth, while also cleaning along the tooth gum line and scrubbing the surface of the tongue. This prevents oral disorders and further improves hygiene.

[0004] Traditional toothbrush devices utilize relatively straight elongated shafts and a head portion having a plurality of densely clustered and upstanding bristles oriented in a single direction. The bristles are adapted to abrasively remove plaque and debris the user's teeth, wherein the user is required to direct the bristles against the different surfaces of each tooth, within the spaces between teeth, and further to massage the interface between the teeth and gums. More modern brushes include tongue cleaning portions along the head posterior, along with a configuration and design for the bristles that is directed for a specific type of cleaning.
These devices are thoroughly described in the art as oral hygiene instruments for the purposes of cleaning teeth using toothpaste. Many variations of the brush head design and handle have been proposed and implemented, wherein their structure improves upon the ability of the brush to remove plaque, contact various surfaces of the tooth and to further increase the utility of the device with respect to brushing effectiveness and overall oral hygiene.

[0005] The present invention is related to an oral hygiene device that comprises an articulating head region for cleaning multiple oral surfaces and a body structure adapted to provide comfort and increased handling during brushing operations. The head region comprises a structure that allows simultaneous brushing and cleaning of the occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of the tooth, as well as the gum line interface of the tooth. The head further includes and opposing array of cleaning bristles for cleaning the top surfaces of teeth along the posterior of the head region. The head region itself comprises a flexible, articulating and U-shaped construction that allows the device to be comfortably deployed and accommodate various tooth geometries using the same configuration. The body region comprises an ergonomically contoured shape and multi-material construction for comfortable and secure handling during brushing activities.

[0006] Combining a toothbrush head that is well adapted for maintaining ready oral hygiene of a user with a toothbrush body structure that improves handling of the brush not realized in the prior art. The present invention contemplates a unique body structure and head region that provides a both thorough cleaning and improved handling of the implement during deployment. Overall, the device improves on existing toothbrush implements and handles, wherein the present invention is both a simultaneous, multi-surface cleaning tool and one that is very comfortable and stable within the hands of a user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0007] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to oral hygiene implements and encompassing toothbrushes. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices have familiar design elements for the purposes of brushing an entire tooth surface and engaging the gum region. These devices specifically relate to brush head devices that provide bristles in a number of different configurations and orientations.
Those devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

[0008] Specifically, U.S. Patent No. 6,381,794 and No. 6,401,288 to Porper disclose a brush head and body defining a new electric toothbrush, comprising a pair of opposing bristle head portions, a longitudinal drive shaft and a drive means located between the bristle head portions to provide a reciprocating motion of the bristle head. A reciprocating motion imparted by the drive means through the crank creates a side-to-side, lateral movement of the bristle head in an oscillatory motion.
While disclosing a new and novel brush head that is adapted to function with an electric toothbrush body, the Porper device is limited thereto and comprises a divergent structure as it relates to the present invention. The present invention is directed to a new toothbrush head and body structure that facilitates complete coverage of the user's teeth while brushing manually.

[0009] Similar to the Porper device is U.S. Patent No. 7,849,549 to Hegemann, wherein an oral brushing device adapted to be connected to a drive means is disclosed having a head design that follows the "Bass" or "Modified-Bass"
tooth-brushing method. The drive means of the device provides bi-directional and straight motion of a first and second opposing brush assembly, which brush both the upper portions of a tooth and along the lateral gum lines. The brush assemblies are mounted to separated and elastic arm structures, which angle the bristles of the brush inward and downward to cover the crown and respective side portions of the tooth. The independently mounted structures are motioned in opposing directions by the drive means when in operation. By contrast, the present invention comprises an oral brushing device head having flexible and rotatable side portions with respect to a crown portion, wherein bristles are provided within the interior of the U-shaped crown and side portions and along the posterior of the crown portion for multi-surface cleaning.

[0010] U.S. Patent No. 4,638,520 to Eickmann discloses a toothbrush having bristles attached to a two-sided, arcuate head wherein bristles are facing inward toward one another for the purposes of brushing between teeth and along the gum line.
The head comprises of two portions that diverge from a handle portion, wherein the bristles are inwardly facing to rub against a tooth between the two head portions. The Eickmann device, while providing a novel toothbrush head design, fails to disclose the structure of the present invention, for both the body of the toothbrush and the head design. The Eickmann device provides two diverging portions, while the present invention provides a crown portion and two lateral portions that are flexibly attached or hinged with respect to the crown portion to accommodate the geometry of a user's tooth, while providing a posterior array of bristles for providing coverage over of a user's tooth and an opposing tooth upper when brushing.

[0011] U.S. Patent No. 5,327,607 to Wagner discloses an oral hygiene device that includes a bristle carrying head having a spine region and a pair of planar side panels angled approximately forty-five degrees downward from the spine region.
The spine region and side panels include inwardly facing bristles for simultaneous engagement of occlusal tooth surfaces and buccal and lingual tooth sidewalls, gingival surfaces and tooth surfaces below the gum line. The bristles are tapered as they extend outward along the side panels from the spine, getting progressively longer to allow contact along the tooth sidewalls and gum line intersection. The Wagner device provides a means to brush a tooth along the gum lines, sidewalls and crown portion simultaneously; however this is accomplished via a tapering set of bristles.
The present invention angles uniform bristles inward from upstanding sidewall portions that hingeably connect to a horizontal crown portion, along with the posterior bristles that extend away from the crown portion.

[0012] Similar to the Wagner device, U.S. Patent No. 5,137,039 to Klinkhammer discloses a tooth cleaning implement having a pair of spaced jaws adapted to straddle a row of teeth and clean both gums and teeth simultaneously. The jaws are adapted to secure to a number of different tooth and gum cleaning implements for the purposes of removing debris and cleaning the tooth and gum surfaces.
As noted in the aforementioned prior art devices, the Klinkhammer device fails to disclose the novel aspects of the present toothbrush device articulating head region and ergonomic body region.

[0013] The present invention provides a new and improved dental hygiene device that incorporates an enveloping and articulating brush head, along with a body structure that provides storage and communication of toothpaste from its interior to the head region for brushing and cleaning the surfaces of teeth and gums. The structure and intent of the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing toothbrush devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of oral hygiene implements now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new articulating and multi-surface toothbrush head and ergonomic body region wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when brushing the surfaces of teeth and gums while comfortably deploying the cleaning implement.

[0015] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toothbrush device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush device that has an articulating and multi-surface cleaning head region, wherein the occlusal, buccal and lingual surfaces of a tooth and gum line are contacted, along with the upper surface of an opposing tooth with each pass of the brush head.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device having a crown portion that simultaneously contacts the occlusal surface of the tooth, hingeable sidewall portions that contact the buccal and lingual sides of the tooth, and a posterior array of bristles for contacting the occlusal surface of an opposing tooth.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device having an ergonomic body region that forms the handle of the toothbrush implement, wherein the body region is contoured to comfortably rest within a user's hand and provide the perfect balance between body stiffness, handling comfort, and flexibility of the head region.

[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device wherein the body portion of the device includes a multi-material construction that places soft touch areas in given locations, grip locations in others, and stiffened material where structurally required for providing a balanced, stable, and ergonomic handle while brushing.

[0020] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush device that combines an enveloping head portion with an ergonomically contoured body portion that may readily operates with standard dentifrices for cleaning the surfaces of the mouth for oral hygiene purposes.
[0020a] Thus in one aspect, there is provided a toothbrush head, comprising: a crown portion rotatably connecting to a first and second orthogonal side portions; said crown and side portions forming a U-shape having interior and exterior surfaces; said crown interior surface having upstanding bristles, said side portion interior surfaces having inwardly projecting bristles; said crown exterior surface having projecting posterior bristles.

[0021] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective end view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, highlighting the multi-surface head region and a contoured body region.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the present invention, wherein the interior bristles of the head region are displayed.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the present invention, wherein the posterior bristle array is displayed.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a first side view of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a second side view of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an end view of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the head region side portions are split into segments for increased degrees of freedom and flexibility with regard to conforming to a user's teeth.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the oral hygiene implement and ergonomic handle of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for combining an enveloping brush design with a body region having an ergonomic design for cleaning the surfaces of a tooth and along the tooth gum line. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective end view of the present invention. The present device is a combination enveloping toothbrush structure having an ergonomic body region 12 that establishes a handleable oral hygiene tool. The device comprises a multi-material body region 12 connecting to a toothbrush head region 11 at its distal end. The body region 12 comprises a curving palm area 62, an upstanding thumb grip area 61 above a central body region, and a neck region 63 that extends to the head region 11.

[0032] Referring to both FIGs. 1 and 3, the multi-material construction and contour of the body region 12 is shown. The body region 12 material includes a first stiffened material 70 that interfaces with a soft-touch, flexible material 80 along a material interface 75 along the body region length. The flexible material 80 provides for user handling comfort and also adds inhere flexibility to the head of the device 11. The stiffened material 70 makes up the central portion of the body region 12 and adds stiffness and stability to the overall structure, which is particularly necessary when brushing vigorously.

[0033] The body region 12 is adapted to fit the contours of a user's hand.
The contour fits the most common palm shape of users and the way the user grips a typical toothbrush. This allows superior comfort and control of the implement during brushing activities. The flexible material 80 is a soft rubber that provides a gripping area and a soft handle interface, while the stiffened material 70 is comprised a hardened plastic to add rigidity in areas where necessary along the body region length.
The flexibility of the body region along the neck 63 allows for the head region 11 to move in multiple directions with respect to the body region 12, while the hardened plastic 80 maintains the stability of the device while in use and in the user's hand.

[0034] Referring to FIGs. 1 through 5, the body region contour and gripping areas are visualized for a user to easily grasp and manipulate the device while in use. The proximal end 62 of the device contours downward and provides an upper surface palm area having palm grip elements 65 thereon. This upper surface palm area transitions to a thumb grip 61. The thumb grip 61 allows a user's thumb to rest thereon.
Forward of the thumb grip 61 is a downward ledge that transitions into the body region neck region 63 and distal end. The central portion of the body region between the proximal end 62 and the neck region 63 comprises the stiffened material 70, while the proximal end 62 and neck region comprise the flexible material 80. The head region preferably comprises a continuation of the flexible material 80, whereby the structure of the head region 11 contours the user's teeth and flexes thereagainst.

[0035] Shape and construction of the body region is both fluid and futuristic, providing an easily handled and comfortably utilized handle for the brushing implement 11. The body region 12 ergonomically fit in one's hands with great comfort during the brushing activity, wherein the natural position of the user's hand and its shape is accounted for.

[0036] Referring now to FIGs. 1 through 6, the head region 11 extending from the body region 12 is readily visualized from all angles. The head region 11 of the present invention comprises of a crown portion 20 that pivotably connects to a first and second side upstanding portion 17. The crown portion 20 provides a largely horizontal surface for the side portions 17 to perpendicularly connect and form a U-shaped brush design. The connection and interface 23 between the sidewalls 17 and crown is a flexible one that is readily hingeable, allowing the sidewalls 17 to expand outward from their natural position when placed over an enlarged tooth structure. The interface is preferably an accordion 23 style connection that allows ready flexing of the interface while brushing.

[0037] Along the interior surface of the side portions 17 and the crown portion 20 are upstanding and inwardly directed bristles 18, 19. The crown bristles 19 are vertically aligned and adapted to contact the crown or occlusal portion of a tooth, while the side portion bristles 18 are adapted to be positioned perpendicularly to the crown bristles 19 for contacting the lingual and buccal sides of a tooth and the gum line.
This provides a cluster of bristles on three sides of a tooth for simultaneous contact and cleaning thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the side portion bristles 19 are opposing and staggered moving along the length of head region interior, as shown in FIG. 2, while the crown bristles 19 are nested within a rounded out, concave interior surface 100. The rounded surface 100 allows for larger bristles and a better fit for teeth cleaning within the interior of the head region.

[0038] Along the exterior surfaces of the head region 11 are additional cleaning means for cleaning additional mouth surfaces while in use. Along the outer surface of the crown portion 20 is a posterior array of bristles 40. These bristles 40 provide a means to contact the crown of teeth opposing those within the interior of the U-shaped head 11. This increases the surface area being brushed and increases efficiency. Along the outer surfaces of the upstanding side portions 17 are abrasive cleaning surfaces for cleaning the user's mouth and tongue surfaces. These surfaces preferably comprise raised scraper elements 50 for removing cleaning the inner mouth and the sides of the tongue. The surface texture removes debris from the surface of the mouth when dragged thereagainst [0039] The head region 11 of the device is adapted to securely connect or be molded to the body region 12. The head region 11 includes an accordion flex joint 23 connecting the side portions 17 to the crown portion 20, wherein the accordion element 23 comprises a readily flexible and reduced stiffness structure with respect to the crown 20 and side portion 17 material. This allows the side portions 17 to displace based on input pressure from the sidewalls of a tooth being contacted by the side portion bristles 18 while still maintaining surface pressure on the tooth for scrubbing and cleaning purposes.

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention include a straight handled body region utilized the disclosed head architecture, the contoured body region in conjunction with a standard brush head, and an exemplary embodiment comprising both the contoured body region and the disclosed, multi-surface cleaning head region 11. The preferred head region 11 is adapted to provide a continuous bristle surface that envelops the exposed regions of a tooth while simultaneously contacting an opposing tooth using posterior bristles 40. The sides and crown of a tooth and opposing teeth are contacted to remove debris, plaque and germs therefrom.

[0041] The side portions 17 are further adapted to extend from the crown of the tooth towards and over the gum line, gently massaging the gums while also allowing the bristles 18 to remove plaque and debris from the oral epithelium, free gingival margin and gingival sulcus portion of the periodontium. The posterior bristle area 40 provides a means to simultaneously brush the occlusal of an opposing row of teeth, increasing the surface area with which is brushed in a single pass, increasing brushing efficiency. In use, a user's row of teeth is placed within the interior volume of the head region U-shape, contacted by bristles along three planes. Fore-aft and oscillatory motion of the brush head breaks up plague and removes debris from the exposed surface area of the encompassed tooth, while the bristles penetrate the spaces between teeth and between the teeth and gums. The posterior bristles further brush the upper portion of opposing teeth during this process. The design and shape of the brush head reduces gaps in brushing coverage, increases brushing efficiency and further reduces time required to brush one's teeth.

[0042] Traditional toothbrush devices may not be designed to cover exposed regions of a user's teeth, which require the user to manually move the brush across individual portions of each tooth to ensure proper care and uniform cleaning of each tooth. This process is time-consuming and prone to compliance issues, as it relates to regular, consistent and thorough brushing of one's teeth.
Additionally, toothbrush heads may not be sized to fit different teeth sizes, and therefore can be uncomfortable or particularly ineffective for individuals with very small or large teeth. If the bristles of toothbrushes do not clear out all food remnants and other deteriorative items, users' teeth may develop cavities, plaque build-up, and other oral hygiene problems. The present invention provides a new toothbrush head and body region that addresses these needs, and further fulfils a long-felt need in the art.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the head region 11 side portions 17 are segmented into multiple segments, 17a, 17b. These segments are separated from one another and connect to the crown portion by way of the accordion flex joint 23. In this way, the different segments 17a, 17b of the side portions 17 are able to flex as necessary to conform to the outer profile of a user's teeth, wherein one segment can flex more than an adjacent segment. It is contemplated that at least two segments are provided in this embodiment.
The segments are separated by a line of separation that splits them along a line between the accordion flex joint and the upper portion of the side portion.

[0044]
Overall, the present invention ensures food remnants, plaque, and other threats to optimal oral hygiene are thoroughly removed from all sides and in-between areas of each tooth, as well as along the gum line and along opposing rows of teeth. The toothbrush head is sized to fit into the mouth of a user with comfort in mind.
The rounded edges 49 of the toothbrush head region 11, as shown in FIGs. 4 and 5, allow the brush to move around in one's mouth without jarring or cutting the user's mouth. Every edge is rounded to allow free and unrestricted movement within the mouth. The interlocking bristles 18 of the head region, as shown in FIG. 6, allow for superior cleaning and plaque removal between teeth. A twisting action on the brush head 11 to one side allows the different length bristles 18 to penetrate between the teeth and clean out plaque and debris therefrom. Longer and shorter bristles follow the shape of the molar areas, wherein most teeth are shaped like a canal and the bristles follow the exact shape of the teeth for superior cleaning and plaque removal.

[0045] It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0046] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to be limited the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to.

Claims (6)

1. A toothbrush head, comprising:
a crown portion rotatably connecting to a first and second orthogonal side portions;
said crown and side portions forming a U-shape having interior and exterior surfaces;
said crown interior surface having upstanding bristles, said side portion interior surfaces having inwardly projecting bristles;
said crown exterior surface having projecting posterior bristles.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said crown and side portion rotatable connection further comprising an accordion flex element.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said side portion exterior surfaces further comprise abrasive cleanings surfaces.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said side portion abrasive cleanings surfaces further comprise raised scraper elements for removing cleaning the inner mouth and the sides of the tongue.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said crown portion interior surface further comprises a rounded, concave surface.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said side portion inwardly projecting bristles are opposing and staggered moving along said U-shape interior.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
an ergonomic toothbrush handle comprising an elongated body region having a distal end connecting to said toothbrush head crown portion and a proximal end;
between said proximal and distal end is an upwardly curving palm area, a central body portion below a thumb grip surface, and a neck region;
said body region comprising a flexible and stiffened material construction;
said proximal end and said neck region comprising said flexible material;
said body central portion comprising said stiffened material.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein said thumb grip is elevated above said neck region, said thumb region terminating at a ledge that transitions into said neck region.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein said curving palm region further comprises an upper convex surface having raised palm grip elements thereon.