EP0957707B1 - Toothbrushes - Google Patents

Toothbrushes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0957707B1
EP0957707B1 EP96931374A EP96931374A EP0957707B1 EP 0957707 B1 EP0957707 B1 EP 0957707B1 EP 96931374 A EP96931374 A EP 96931374A EP 96931374 A EP96931374 A EP 96931374A EP 0957707 B1 EP0957707 B1 EP 0957707B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bristles
side elevation
group
toothbrush
handle
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96931374A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0957707A2 (en
EP0957707B2 (en
Inventor
Joan Brady
Helen Benedict
Kenneth Waguespack
Geir Oxseth
Nils Terje Vestheim
Helge Sletbak
Hilde Angelfoss
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Colgate Palmolive Co
Original Assignee
Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
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Application filed by Colgate Palmolive Co filed Critical Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority to EP00203299.3A priority Critical patent/EP1074200B2/en
Priority to EP00125873A priority patent/EP1097655A3/en
Publication of EP0957707A2 publication Critical patent/EP0957707A2/en
Publication of EP0957707B1 publication Critical patent/EP0957707B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0957707B2 publication Critical patent/EP0957707B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/02—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware specially shaped for holding by the hand
    • 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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
    • B25G1/00—Handle constructions
    • B25G1/10—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape
    • B25G1/102—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape the shape being specially adapted to facilitate handling or improve grip
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to novel handles and to novel bristle configurations for toothbrushes and to novel combinations thereof.
  • the handle configurations have as their primary (but not sole) objective the provision of a toothbrush which is easier for the user to manipulate.
  • the bristle configurations have as their primary (but not sole) objective the provision of a toothbrush in which the bristles afford improved cleaning action and access to the teeth and gums.
  • USP5369835 discloses a toothbrush having a handle comprising a waist, shoulder and end section, but the relationships there between are entirely different to those in the present invention.
  • USP5398369 discloses a toothbrush having a handle with an end position, a slightly narrower waist portion and a shoulder portion of approximately the same lateral width as the end portion, the relationships there between are very different to those of the present invention.
  • USP5305489 discloses a toothbrush having a bristle configuration having a mixture of concave and convex bristle profiles but these form a continuous curve rather than a discontinuous curve as in the present invention and does not disclose the combination of features to which the present invention is directed.
  • a toothbrush handle has a head portion carrying or adapted to carry a bristle configuration, the handle having an end portion, a waist, a shoulder portion and a neck connecting the shoulder to the head, the waist being narrower at least in plan view than the end portion or the shoulder, and the end portion being rounded, characterised in that the ratio of the maximum width of the end portion in plan view to the maximum width of the shoulder in plan view is in the range 1.2:1 to 1.5:1, the end portion being thicker in side elevation than is the shoulder, and the ratio of the maximum thickness of the end portion in side elevation to the maximum thickness of the shoulder in side elevation is in the range 1.1:1 to 1.7:1.
  • the handle is preferably curvilinear in plan view and in elevation.
  • the ratio of the maximum width of the end portion in plan view to the minimum width of the waist in plan view is preferably in the range 1.1:1 to 1.8:1.
  • the ratio of the maximum width of the shoulder in plan view to the minimum width of the waist in plan view is preferably in the range 1.05:1 to 1.5:1.
  • the end portion is preferably thicker in side elevation than the waist.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness of the end portion in side elevation to the minimum thickness of the waist in side elevation is preferably in the range 1.2:1 to 2.0:1.
  • the end portion is preferably thicker in side elevation than is the shoulder.
  • the shoulder is preferably thicker in side elevation than the waist.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness of the shoulder viewed in side elevation to the minimum thickness of the waist: viewed in side elevation is preferably in the range 1.01:1 to 1.5:1.
  • the ratio of the length from the free end of the end portion to the location of the minimum width of the waist: viewed in side elevation to the maximum width of the end portion viewed in side elevation is preferably in the range 4:1 to 7:1 e.g. about 5:1 to 6:1, especially about 5.6:1.
  • the handle may have a grip enhancing unitary mat providing grip enhancing surfaces on at least two separate locations of the handle.
  • the mat preferably provides the grip enhancing surfaces on at least the front and back of the handle or at at least two locations on the front or the back of the handle or at least one location at the front or back of the handle and at at least one side of the handle.
  • the mat provides grip enhancing surfaces at three or four separate locations on the handle.
  • the grip enhancing surfaces of the mat may also afford grip enhancing configurations, for example ribs, preferably inclined diagonally to the handle.
  • the handle preferably has grip enhancing configurations on at least two separate locations of the handle.
  • the grip enhancing configurations preferably are provided on at least the front and back of the handle or at at least two locations on the front or the back of the handle or at least one location at the front or back of the handle and at at least one side of the handle.
  • the grip enhancing configurations are preferably provided at three or four separate locations on the handle.
  • the invention also extends to a toothbrush having a handle as set out above.
  • a toothbrush having a handle in accordance with the invention has a bristle configuration of which the teeth engaging ends of the bristles do not lie in a plane parallel to the surface of the head of the handle in which the bristles are embedded when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, the teeth engaging ends of the bristles lying adjacent to each other lying in a curved line when the toothbrush is in side elevation, the curved line being provided by a mixture of at least one concave group of bristles and at least one convex group of bristles and is characterised in that the ratio of the length of the curved line provided by the convex bristles to that provided by the concave bristles in the range 1:1 to 2:1 and in that the curved line is discontinuous,
  • the invention also extends to a toothbrush having a bristle configuration as set out above.
  • the invention also extends to a toothbrush having a handle as set out above and a bristle configuration as set out above.
  • a third embodiment is contemplated in which the ribs of the mat of Figures 1 to 5 are integrally moulded in the one piece handle shown in Figures 10-14.
  • Figure 1 shows a toothbrush having a handle 35 and a bristle head 50.
  • the handle is shown in Figures 1 to 5, the head in Figures 1 to 9 but in enlarged scale in Figures 6 to 9.
  • the handle (which is a first embodiment thereof) has a body portion having a palm engaging end portion 36 with a rounded free end 47, a waist 37, a finger engagable shoulder 38, a neck 39 and a head 40 for receiving the bristles of the bristle configuration 50, in a surface 46.
  • a mat 41 of rubber like material (for example the rubber like material may be that sold under the Trade Mark SANTOPRENE) (to give a good wet grip for the user's fingers) is attached to the handle so as to wrap around the waist and provide a grip surface 42 on the shoulder 38 on the bristle face of the handle as well as a grip surface 43 on the back face of the shoulder of the handle and a grip surface 44 on the back face of the palm engaging end portion 36 of the handle.
  • SANTOPRENE Trade Mark SANTOPRENE
  • Each of the surfaces 42, 43 and 44 have ribs 45 moulded into their surfaces in such a way as to lie diagonally across the said surfaces when located on the handle. This wrapped unitary mat arrangement facilitates placement of the gripping surfaces on the handle.
  • the ratio of the maximum transverse width in plan view of the portion 36 (indicated by the line 36) to the minimum transverse width in plan view of the waist 37 (indicated by the line 37) is 1.4:0.9 i.e. 1.55:1 or more broadly 1.1:1 to 1.8:1 e.g. 1.2:1 to 1.7:1 more preferably 1.3:1 to 1.6:1.
  • the ratio of the widest transverse width in plan view of the shoulder 38 (indicated by the line 38) to the minimum transverse width in plan view of the waist 37 is 1.1:0.9 i.e. 1.2:1 or more broadly 1.05:1 to 1.5:1 e.g. 1.1:1 to 1.3:1.
  • the ratio of the widest transverse width in plan view of the end 36 to the shoulder 38 is 1.4:1.1 i.e. 1.25:1 or more broadly greater than 1:1 e.g. 1.2:1 to 1.5:1.
  • the end portion 36 is wider than the shoulder 38 which is wider than the waist 37.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 (see Figures 4 and 5) indicated by the line 80 in Figure 4 including the ribs 45 on the mat, namely 1.5 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 indicated by the line 81 namely 0.9 units is 1.7:1 or more broadly 1.3:1 to 2.0:1 or 1.5:1 to 1.9:1.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the shoulder 38 indicated by the line 82 including the ribs 45 on the mat, namely 1.1 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 namely 0.9 units is 1.2:1 or more broadly 1.05:1 to 1.5:1 or 1.1.:1 to 1.3:1.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 to the shoulder 38 is 1.35:1 or more broadly 1.1:1 to 1.7:1 or 1.2:1 to 1.6:1.
  • the handle is also shown in a second embodiment in Figures 10 to 14.
  • the handle is the same as in the first embodiment except that the unitary mat is omitted.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 (see Figures 13 and 14) indicated by the line 85 in Figure 13 namely 1.4 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 indicated by the line 86 namely 0.9 units is 1.55:1 or more broadly 1.2:1 to 1.8:1 or 1.4:1 to 1.7:1.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the shoulder 38 indicated by the line 87 namely 1.0 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 namely 0.9 units is 1.1:1 or more broadly 1.0:1 to 1.3:1 or 0.5.:1 to 1.2:1.
  • the ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 to the shoulder 38 is 1.4:1 or more broadly 1.1:1 to 1.7:1 or 1.2:1 to 1.6:1.
  • the handle of the second embodiment is provided with ribs akin to those 45 on the mat 41, though not necessary in the same numbers or the same inclination or on all of the surfaces 42, 43 and 44.
  • an arrangement which has the same ribs 45 as in the first embodiment integrally moulded into the handle is preferred.
  • the head 50 the embodiment of the bristle configuration is shown in Figures 1 to 9.
  • the head has three groups of bristle tufts 55, 75 and 95. These are shown in plan view in Figure 6 delineated by the transverse lines 56 and 76.
  • the group 55 affords a teeth engaging surface 57 which is convex with regard to the surface 46 of the head of the handle when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation.
  • the surface 46 is that in which the tufts of bristles are embedded.
  • the group 75 affords a teeth engaging surface 77 which is concave with regard to the surface 46 when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation.
  • the group 75 has a central front outer tuft 60, side tufts 61,62,63 and 64,65,66 on either side and two centre line tufts 67 and 68.
  • the group 75 has five transverse rows of tufts 78,79,80,81,82.
  • the first three rows 78, 79 and 80 having four tufts each and the last two rows 81 and 82 five tufts each.
  • the teeth engaging ends of the tufts 78 are further from the surface 46 than the ends of the tufts 63, 68 and 66 but come to about the same level as the tufts 67, 62 and 65.
  • the group 95 affords a teeth engaging surface 97 which is closely similar in profile to the surface 57.
  • the group 95 has a first row of five tufts 98, a second row of four tufts 99 and two side tufts 100 and 101 and a central rear tuft 102.
  • the tufts in row 98 are shorter than the tufts in row 82, but the tufts in row 99 are about the same height as those in row 82.
  • the teeth engaging surface afforded by the bristles as whole is thus wavy or sinusoidal but is not a continuous surface having breaks in level between the end tufts of adjacent groups, i.e. 63, 68, 66 of group 55 and row 78 of group 75 and row 82 of group 75 and row 98 of group 95.
  • the length of the bristle configuration in plan view or in side elevation namely the length parallel to the surface 46 of the teeth engaging ends of the bristles in 8.8 units. 100% of this length is provided by bristles the teeth engaging ends of which lie in a curved line when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation.
  • the group 55 occupies 2.5 units, and the group 95 also occupies 2.5 units and both are convex.
  • the group 75 occupies 3.5 units and is concave. The ratio of convex to concave is thus 5:3.5 or 1.4:1 or more broadly 1:1 to 2:1.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Description

The present invention relates to novel handles and to novel bristle configurations for toothbrushes and to novel combinations thereof.
The handle configurations have as their primary (but not sole) objective the provision of a toothbrush which is easier for the user to manipulate.
The bristle configurations have as their primary (but not sole) objective the provision of a toothbrush in which the bristles afford improved cleaning action and access to the teeth and gums.
USP5369835 discloses a toothbrush having a handle comprising a waist, shoulder and end section, but the relationships there between are entirely different to those in the present invention.
USP5398369 discloses a toothbrush having a handle with an end position, a slightly narrower waist portion and a shoulder portion of approximately the same lateral width as the end portion, the relationships there between are very different to those of the present invention.
USP5305489 discloses a toothbrush having a bristle configuration having a mixture of concave and convex bristle profiles but these form a continuous curve rather than a discontinuous curve as in the present invention and does not disclose the combination of features to which the present invention is directed.
According to the present invention a toothbrush handle has a head portion carrying or adapted to carry a bristle configuration, the handle having an end portion, a waist, a shoulder portion and a neck connecting the shoulder to the head, the waist being narrower at least in plan view than the end portion or the shoulder, and the end portion being rounded, characterised in that the ratio of the maximum width of the end portion in plan view to the maximum width of the shoulder in plan view is in the range 1.2:1 to 1.5:1, the end portion being thicker in side elevation than is the shoulder, and the ratio of the maximum thickness of the end portion in side elevation to the maximum thickness of the shoulder in side elevation is in the range 1.1:1 to 1.7:1.
The handle is preferably curvilinear in plan view and in elevation. The ratio of the maximum width of the end portion in plan view to the minimum width of the waist in plan view is preferably in the range 1.1:1 to 1.8:1. The ratio of the maximum width of the shoulder in plan view to the minimum width of the waist in plan view is preferably in the range 1.05:1 to 1.5:1. The end portion is preferably thicker in side elevation than the waist. The ratio of the maximum thickness of the end portion in side elevation to the minimum thickness of the waist in side elevation is preferably in the range 1.2:1 to 2.0:1. The end portion is preferably thicker in side elevation than is the shoulder. The shoulder is preferably thicker in side elevation than the waist. The ratio of the maximum thickness of the shoulder viewed in side elevation to the minimum thickness of the waist: viewed in side elevation is preferably in the range 1.01:1 to 1.5:1.
The ratio of the length from the free end of the end portion to the location of the minimum width of the waist: viewed in side elevation to the maximum width of the end portion viewed in side elevation is preferably in the range 4:1 to 7:1 e.g. about 5:1 to 6:1, especially about 5.6:1.
The handle may have a grip enhancing unitary mat providing grip enhancing surfaces on at least two separate locations of the handle.
The mat preferably provides the grip enhancing surfaces on at least the front and back of the handle or at at least two locations on the front or the back of the handle or at least one location at the front or back of the handle and at at least one side of the handle. Preferably the mat provides grip enhancing surfaces at three or four separate locations on the handle. The grip enhancing surfaces of the mat may also afford grip enhancing configurations, for example ribs, preferably inclined diagonally to the handle.
The handle preferably has grip enhancing configurations on at least two separate locations of the handle.
The grip enhancing configurations preferably are provided on at least the front and back of the handle or at at least two locations on the front or the back of the handle or at least one location at the front or back of the handle and at at least one side of the handle. The grip enhancing configurations are preferably provided at three or four separate locations on the handle.
The invention also extends to a toothbrush having a handle as set out above.
Also according to the present invention a toothbrush having a handle in accordance with the invention has a bristle configuration of which the teeth engaging ends of the bristles do not lie in a plane parallel to the surface of the head of the handle in which the bristles are embedded when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, the teeth engaging ends of the bristles lying adjacent to each other lying in a curved line when the toothbrush is in side elevation, the curved line being provided by a mixture of at least one concave group of bristles and at least one convex group of bristles and is characterised in that the ratio of the length of the curved line provided by the convex bristles to that provided by the concave bristles in the range 1:1 to 2:1 and in that the curved line is discontinuous,
  • there being a group of bristles (a convex group), the teeth engaging ends of which lie in a convex line when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, located at the toe of the head of the brush
  • and a group of bristles (a convex group), the teeth engaging ends of which lie in a convex line when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, located at the heel of the head of the brush and
  • a group of bristles (a concave group), the teeth engaging ends of which lie in a concave line when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, located between the two convex groups of bristles,
  • the tufts at each end of a concave group extending further from the surface of the head of the brush in which the bristles are embedded than do the adjacent tufts of bristles in the adjacent concave group,
  • the said tufts at one end of a concave group extending to about the same level as the longest tufts in the adjacent convex group,
  • and the said tufts at the other end of a concave group extending to about the same level as the longest tufts in the adjacent convex group,
  • and in that the teeth engaging ends of the bristles in a transverse direction across the head of the toothbrush extend substantially the same length from the surface of the head of the brush in which the bristles are embedded.
    • The invention also extends to a toothbrush having a bristle configuration as set out above.
    The invention also extends to a toothbrush having a handle as set out above and a bristle configuration as set out above.
    The invention has a number of aspects and may be put into practice in various ways and a number of specific embodiments will be described to illustrate the inventive aspects with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a toothbrush embodying aspects of the present invention in respect of the handle and of the bristle configuration,
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 from the bristle side,
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 from the other side,
  • Figures 4 and 5 are side elevations from either side of the embodiment of Figure 1,
  • Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of the tuft configuration of the bristles of the embodiment of Figure 1,
  • Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the bristle head of Figures 4 and 5,
  • Figure 8 is an end elevation of the bristle head from the handle end of the embodiment of Figure 1,
  • Figure 9 is an end elevation from the head end of the bristle head of the embodiment of Figure 1,
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a toothbrush embodying aspects of the present invention in respect of the handle and of the bristle configuration,
  • Figures 11 and 12 and 13 and 14 are views similar to Figures 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 but of the embodiment shown in Figure 10.
    • It will be recognised that two embodiments of handle have been shown, the first in Figures 1 to 5 which has a mat entwined around the handle and the second, which does not have a mat, in Figures 10-14.
    A third embodiment is contemplated in which the ribs of the mat of Figures 1 to 5 are integrally moulded in the one piece handle shown in Figures 10-14.
    The embodiment of the bristle configuration is also shown in Figures 1 to 9.
    Figure 1 shows a toothbrush having a handle 35 and a bristle head 50.
    The handle is shown in Figures 1 to 5, the head in Figures 1 to 9 but in enlarged scale in Figures 6 to 9.
    The handle (which is a first embodiment thereof) has a body portion having a palm engaging end portion 36 with a rounded free end 47, a waist 37, a finger engagable shoulder 38, a neck 39 and a head 40 for receiving the bristles of the bristle configuration 50, in a surface 46. A mat 41 of rubber like material (for example the rubber like material may be that sold under the Trade Mark SANTOPRENE) (to give a good wet grip for the user's fingers) is attached to the handle so as to wrap around the waist and provide a grip surface 42 on the shoulder 38 on the bristle face of the handle as well as a grip surface 43 on the back face of the shoulder of the handle and a grip surface 44 on the back face of the palm engaging end portion 36 of the handle.
    Each of the surfaces 42, 43 and 44 have ribs 45 moulded into their surfaces in such a way as to lie diagonally across the said surfaces when located on the handle. This wrapped unitary mat arrangement facilitates placement of the gripping surfaces on the handle.
    The ratio of the maximum transverse width in plan view of the portion 36 (indicated by the line 36) to the minimum transverse width in plan view of the waist 37 (indicated by the line 37) is 1.4:0.9 i.e. 1.55:1 or more broadly 1.1:1 to 1.8:1 e.g. 1.2:1 to 1.7:1 more preferably 1.3:1 to 1.6:1. The ratio of the widest transverse width in plan view of the shoulder 38 (indicated by the line 38) to the minimum transverse width in plan view of the waist 37 is 1.1:0.9 i.e. 1.2:1 or more broadly 1.05:1 to 1.5:1 e.g. 1.1:1 to 1.3:1. The ratio of the widest transverse width in plan view of the end 36 to the shoulder 38 is 1.4:1.1 i.e. 1.25:1 or more broadly greater than 1:1 e.g. 1.2:1 to 1.5:1.
    The end portion 36 is wider than the shoulder 38 which is wider than the waist 37.
    The ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 (see Figures 4 and 5) indicated by the line 80 in Figure 4 including the ribs 45 on the mat, namely 1.5 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 indicated by the line 81 namely 0.9 units is 1.7:1 or more broadly 1.3:1 to 2.0:1 or 1.5:1 to 1.9:1. The ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the shoulder 38 indicated by the line 82 including the ribs 45 on the mat, namely 1.1 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 namely 0.9 units is 1.2:1 or more broadly 1.05:1 to 1.5:1 or 1.1.:1 to 1.3:1.
    The ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 to the shoulder 38 is 1.35:1 or more broadly 1.1:1 to 1.7:1 or 1.2:1 to 1.6:1.
    The handle is also shown in a second embodiment in Figures 10 to 14. The handle is the same as in the first embodiment except that the unitary mat is omitted.
    In the second embodiment of the handle the ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 (see Figures 13 and 14) indicated by the line 85 in Figure 13 namely 1.4 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 indicated by the line 86 namely 0.9 units is 1.55:1 or more broadly 1.2:1 to 1.8:1 or 1.4:1 to 1.7:1. The ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the shoulder 38 indicated by the line 87 namely 1.0 units to the minimum width of the waist 37 namely 0.9 units is 1.1:1 or more broadly 1.0:1 to 1.3:1 or 0.5.:1 to 1.2:1.
    The ratio of the maximum thickness in side elevation of the end portion 36 to the shoulder 38 is 1.4:1 or more broadly 1.1:1 to 1.7:1 or 1.2:1 to 1.6:1.
    In a third embodiment (not shown) the handle of the second embodiment is provided with ribs akin to those 45 on the mat 41, though not necessary in the same numbers or the same inclination or on all of the surfaces 42, 43 and 44. However an arrangement which has the same ribs 45 as in the first embodiment integrally moulded into the handle is preferred.
    Turning now to the head 50 the embodiment of the bristle configuration is shown in Figures 1 to 9. As can be seen in Figure 7 the head has three groups of bristle tufts 55, 75 and 95. These are shown in plan view in Figure 6 delineated by the transverse lines 56 and 76. The group 55 affords a teeth engaging surface 57 which is convex with regard to the surface 46 of the head of the handle when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation. The surface 46 is that in which the tufts of bristles are embedded.
    The group 75 affords a teeth engaging surface 77 which is concave with regard to the surface 46 when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation.
    The group 75 has a central front outer tuft 60, side tufts 61,62,63 and 64,65,66 on either side and two centre line tufts 67 and 68. The group 75 has five transverse rows of tufts 78,79,80,81,82. The first three rows 78, 79 and 80 having four tufts each and the last two rows 81 and 82 five tufts each.
    The teeth engaging ends of the tufts 78 are further from the surface 46 than the ends of the tufts 63, 68 and 66 but come to about the same level as the tufts 67, 62 and 65.
    The group 95 affords a teeth engaging surface 97 which is closely similar in profile to the surface 57. The group 95 has a first row of five tufts 98, a second row of four tufts 99 and two side tufts 100 and 101 and a central rear tuft 102. The tufts in row 98 are shorter than the tufts in row 82, but the tufts in row 99 are about the same height as those in row 82.
    The teeth engaging surface afforded by the bristles as whole is thus wavy or sinusoidal but is not a continuous surface having breaks in level between the end tufts of adjacent groups, i.e. 63, 68, 66 of group 55 and row 78 of group 75 and row 82 of group 75 and row 98 of group 95.
    Referring to Figure 6 the length of the bristle configuration in plan view or in side elevation, namely the length parallel to the surface 46 of the teeth engaging ends of the bristles in 8.8 units. 100% of this length is provided by bristles the teeth engaging ends of which lie in a curved line when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation. The group 55 occupies 2.5 units, and the group 95 also occupies 2.5 units and both are convex. The group 75 occupies 3.5 units and is concave. The ratio of convex to concave is thus 5:3.5 or 1.4:1 or more broadly 1:1 to 2:1.
    It will be noted that in the specific bristle configuration shown in the drawings the ends of the bristles at any particular transverse location, i.e. along the line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head, all lie at the same distance from the surface 46, i.e. in a straight line transverse to the head and parallel to the surface 46.

    Claims (5)

    1. A toothbrush handle having a head portion (40) carrying or adapted to carry a bristle configuration (50), the handle having an end portion (36), a waist (37), a shoulder portion (38) and a neck (35) connecting the shoulder to the head, the waist (37) being narrower at least in plan view than the end portion (36) or the shoulder (38), and the end portion (36) being rounded, characterised in that the ratio of the maximum width (36) of the end portion (36) in plan view to the maximum width (38) of the shoulder (38) in plan view is in the range 1.2:1 to 1.5:1, the end portion (36) being thicker in side elevation than is the shoulder (38), and the ratio of the maximum thickness (36) of the end portion (36) in side elevation to the maximum thickness (38) of the shoulder (38) in side elevation is in the range 1.1:1 to 1.7:1.
    2. A toothbrush handle as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the ratio of the maximum width (38) of the shoulder (38) in plan view to the minimum width (37) of the waist (37) in the plan view is in the range 1.05:1 to 1.5:1.
    3. A toothbrush handle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the ratio of the maximum thickness (38) of the shoulder (38) viewed in side elevation to the minimum thickness (37) of the waist (37) viewed in side elevation is in the range 1.01:1 to 1.5:1.
    4. A toothbrush handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the ratio of the length from the free end (47) of the end portion (36) to the location of the minimum width of the waist (37) viewed in side elevation to the maximum width (36) of the end portion (36) viewed in side elevation is in the range 4:1 to 7:1.
    5. A toothbrush having a handle as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 and a bristle configuration (50) of which the teeth engaging ends (57,77,97) of the bristles do not lie in a plane parallel to the surface (46) of the head of the handle in which the bristles are embedded when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, the teeth engaging ends of the bristles lying adjacent to each other lying in a curved line when the toothbrush is in side elevation, the curved line being provided by a mixture of at least one concave group (75) of bristles and at least one convex group (55,95) of bristles, characterised in that the ratio of the length of the curved line provided by convex: bristles to that provided by the concave bristles is in the range 1:1 to 2:1,
      and in that the curved line is discontinuous
      there being a group of bristles (a convex group) (55), the teeth engaging ends of which lie in a convex line (57) when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, located at the toe of the head of the brush,
      and a group of bristles (a convex group) (95), the teeth engaging ends (97) of which lie in a convex line when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, located at the heel of the head of the brush and
      a group of bristles (a concave group) (75), the teeth engaging ends (77) of which lie in a concave line when the toothbrush is viewed in side elevation, located between the two convex groups of bristles,
      the tufts (78,82) at each end of a concave group (75) extending further from the surface (46) of the head of the brush in which the bristles are embedded than do the adjacent tufts of bristles (63,68,66 or 98) in the adjacent concave group,
      the said tufts (78) at one end of a concave group (75) extending to about the same level as the longest tufts (62,67,65) in the adjacent convex group (55),
      and the said tufts (82) at the other end of a concave group (75) extending to about the same level as the longest tufts (99) in the adjacent convex group (95),
      and in that the teeth engaging ends of the bristles in a transverse direction across the head of the toothbrush (e.g. the row 78) extend substantially the same length from the surface (46) of the head of the brush in which the bristles are embedded.
    EP96931374A 1995-08-22 1996-08-09 Toothbrushes Expired - Lifetime EP0957707B2 (en)

    Priority Applications (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    EP00203299.3A EP1074200B2 (en) 1995-08-22 1996-08-09 Toothbrushes
    EP00125873A EP1097655A3 (en) 1995-08-22 1996-08-09 Toothbrushes

    Applications Claiming Priority (5)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    US202695P 1995-08-22 1995-08-22
    US2026 1995-08-22
    US518496P 1996-02-27 1996-02-27
    US5184 1996-02-27
    PCT/US1996/012944 WO1997007706A2 (en) 1995-08-22 1996-08-09 Toothbrushes

    Related Child Applications (2)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP00125873A Division EP1097655A3 (en) 1995-08-22 1996-08-09 Toothbrushes
    EP00203299.3A Division EP1074200B2 (en) 1995-08-22 1996-08-09 Toothbrushes

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0957707A2 EP0957707A2 (en) 1999-11-24
    EP0957707B1 true EP0957707B1 (en) 2002-01-30
    EP0957707B2 EP0957707B2 (en) 2005-01-05

    Family

    ID=26669814

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP96931374A Expired - Lifetime EP0957707B2 (en) 1995-08-22 1996-08-09 Toothbrushes

    Country Status (29)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0957707B2 (en)
    JP (1) JPH11511998A (en)
    KR (1) KR19990037709A (en)
    CN (2) CN1101663C (en)
    AR (1) AR004506A1 (en)
    AT (2) ATE326879T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU713165B2 (en)
    BG (1) BG63616B1 (en)
    BR (2) BR9610145A (en)
    CA (1) CA2229803C (en)
    CZ (1) CZ51298A3 (en)
    DE (2) DE69618994T2 (en)
    DK (1) DK0957707T3 (en)
    EG (1) EG20921A (en)
    ES (1) ES2137904T3 (en)
    GR (1) GR990300040T1 (en)
    HK (1) HK1035645A1 (en)
    HU (1) HU221146B1 (en)
    IL (2) IL123353A0 (en)
    MX (1) MX9801354A (en)
    NO (1) NO980677L (en)
    NZ (1) NZ318559A (en)
    PL (2) PL185327B1 (en)
    PT (1) PT957707E (en)
    RO (1) RO118624B1 (en)
    SK (1) SK21598A3 (en)
    TR (1) TR199800248T2 (en)
    UA (1) UA44803C2 (en)
    WO (1) WO1997007706A2 (en)

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6886207B1 (en) 1999-06-14 2005-05-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
    US8584299B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2013-11-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes

    Families Citing this family (11)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    AU3978197A (en) * 1996-08-20 1998-03-06 Procter & Gamble Company, The Toothbrush with multi-directional bristle profiling
    GB2321183A (en) * 1997-01-17 1998-07-22 Galpathage Amarasena Perera Toothbrush
    GB9726294D0 (en) 1997-12-12 1998-02-11 Optident International Ltd Improvements relating to hand held devices
    WO2001017391A1 (en) 1999-09-08 2001-03-15 The Procter & Gamble Company A handle for a toothbrush
    EP1453397B1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2006-04-19 Johnson & Johnson Industrial Ltda. Toothbrush
    USD675830S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2013-02-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
    US8863345B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2014-10-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having a closed-loop arrangement of cleaning elements
    AU2017404422B2 (en) * 2017-03-14 2020-09-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
    CN107252182A (en) * 2017-07-27 2017-10-17 江苏东方创意文化产业有限公司 A kind of intention toothbrush
    WO2021131553A1 (en) * 2019-12-26 2021-07-01 ライオン株式会社 Toothbrush
    CN112370198B (en) * 2020-11-09 2022-03-08 北京紫涵科技有限公司 Electric toothbrush based on voice prompt, toothbrush control method and storage medium

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    FR792476A (en) * 1934-10-03 1935-12-31 Thibaud Toothbrush with rational arrangement of the tufts
    US3067446A (en) * 1961-11-15 1962-12-11 Walter G Mcgauley Tooth brushes
    US4031587A (en) * 1975-07-28 1977-06-28 Deepen Enterprises, Inc. Toothbrush for canines
    DE7915457U1 (en) * 1979-05-29 1979-11-15 Holland-Letz, Horst, Dipl.-Ing., 3577 Neustadt TOOL BOOK, ESPECIALLY FOR SCREWDRIVERS
    US4780924A (en) * 1987-10-20 1988-11-01 Hansen Paul D Tooth brush with removable brush head
    US5305489A (en) * 1990-08-28 1994-04-26 Lage Gregg L Ergonomic topographic toothbrush
    US5201092A (en) * 1991-10-09 1993-04-13 Colson Edward L Periodontal toothbrush
    US5339482A (en) * 1992-07-21 1994-08-23 Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products, Inc. Toothbrush having non-slip surface
    IL107381A (en) * 1992-11-02 1998-01-04 Gillette Canada Toothbrush
    US5369835A (en) * 1993-07-28 1994-12-06 Delphic Inc Toothbrush assembly
    DE9404639U1 (en) * 1994-03-18 1995-07-13 Lingner + Fischer GmbH, 77815 Bühl Toothbrush head
    US5392483A (en) * 1994-07-07 1995-02-28 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. Multi-level bristle tuft toothbrush
    US5398369A (en) * 1994-07-07 1995-03-21 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. Toothbrush with pliable pressure pad
    US5511276A (en) * 1995-05-22 1996-04-30 Lee; Kuo-Ming Toothbrush with replaceable bristle carrier

    Cited By (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6886207B1 (en) 1999-06-14 2005-05-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
    US7707676B2 (en) 1999-06-14 2010-05-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
    US8584299B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2013-11-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes
    US8955186B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2015-02-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    HUP9900494A2 (en) 1999-05-28
    ES2137904T3 (en) 2002-09-16
    UA44803C2 (en) 2002-03-15
    PL188120B1 (en) 2004-12-31
    HUP9900494A3 (en) 1999-11-29
    CA2229803C (en) 2007-06-26
    WO1997007706A2 (en) 1997-03-06
    ATE212517T1 (en) 2002-02-15
    NO980677L (en) 1998-04-21
    IL153445A0 (en) 2004-09-27
    DK0957707T3 (en) 2002-05-13
    GR990300040T1 (en) 1999-12-31
    KR19990037709A (en) 1999-05-25
    AU7007096A (en) 1997-03-19
    ATE326879T1 (en) 2006-06-15
    BG63616B1 (en) 2002-07-31
    JPH11511998A (en) 1999-10-19
    IL123353A0 (en) 1998-09-24
    HK1035645A1 (en) 2001-12-07
    CN1193263A (en) 1998-09-16
    CN1432321A (en) 2003-07-30
    BR9603387A (en) 1998-05-12
    MX9801354A (en) 1998-07-31
    EP0957707A2 (en) 1999-11-24
    CN1101663C (en) 2003-02-19
    DE69618994T2 (en) 2002-09-26
    DE69636175T3 (en) 2016-01-28
    HU221146B1 (en) 2002-08-28
    CA2229803A1 (en) 1997-03-06
    WO1997007706A3 (en) 1997-06-12
    TR199800248T2 (en) 1998-08-21
    AU713165B2 (en) 1999-11-25
    PT957707E (en) 2002-07-31
    DE69618994D1 (en) 2002-03-14
    RO118624B1 (en) 2003-08-29
    EG20921A (en) 2000-06-28
    CN1203796C (en) 2005-06-01
    AR004506A1 (en) 1998-12-16
    DE69636175T2 (en) 2006-10-26
    ES2137904T1 (en) 2000-01-01
    PL185327B1 (en) 2003-04-30
    NO980677D0 (en) 1998-02-18
    SK21598A3 (en) 1998-11-04
    DE69636175D1 (en) 2006-06-29
    NZ318559A (en) 2000-02-28
    BR9610145A (en) 1999-02-02
    EP0957707B2 (en) 2005-01-05
    CZ51298A3 (en) 1999-03-17
    PL325052A1 (en) 1998-07-06
    BG102331A (en) 1998-12-30

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