EP1809141A1 - Toothbrushes - Google Patents

Toothbrushes

Info

Publication number
EP1809141A1
EP1809141A1 EP05813091A EP05813091A EP1809141A1 EP 1809141 A1 EP1809141 A1 EP 1809141A1 EP 05813091 A EP05813091 A EP 05813091A EP 05813091 A EP05813091 A EP 05813091A EP 1809141 A1 EP1809141 A1 EP 1809141A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
head
bristle tufts
group
bristles
tufts
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05813091A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Laurence Robert Punshon
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.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble 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
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP1809141A1 publication Critical patent/EP1809141A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • 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
    • A46B9/028—Bristle profile, the end of the bristle defining a surface other than a single plane or deviating from a simple geometric form, e.g. cylinder, sphere or cone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/06—Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
    • A46D1/00—Bristles; Selection of materials for bristles
    • 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 toothbrushes, and, more particularly, to toothbrushes having a combination of bristle types.
  • Toothbrushes utilizing various types of bristles are known. However, there is continued desire to provide improved cleaning, whitening, polishing, mouth feel, and/or other benefits.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a toothbrush made in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a top plan view of another tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 4 is a top plan view of another tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of another bristle tuft profile suitable for use with the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • the toothbrush 20 comprises a handle 22 and a head 24.
  • the head has a plurality of bristle tufts.
  • the bristle tufts 26 disposed adjacent the free end 28 of the head 24 comprise bristles that comprise a slip agent which reduces the coefficient of friction of the bristle.
  • slip agents which can be used are a fluorinated olefin polymer (e.g., poly(tetrafluoroethylene)), boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, graphites, fullerene and talc.
  • the slip agent can be a admixed with the bristle material or can form part of a coating on the bristle.
  • the tufts 26 of bristles are arranged in a group 28 at the free end 28 of the head 24.
  • An example of one bristle suitable for use in the tufts 26 is described in USPN 2002/0120995.
  • Bristle tufts 32 are disposed along the inner portion of the head 24 and can extend from the group of tufts 28 to end of the head 24 that is connected to the handle 22.
  • the tufts 28 can be formed from bristles that have a micro or macro non-linear shape or texture associated with the bristles. Examples include crimped bristles, embossed bristles, flagged bristles, and bristles having scales, serrations, projections, pockets, dimples, or ridges about their outer surface.
  • Bristle tufts 34 are disposed adjacent the side edges 36 of the toothbrush head 24 and can extend from adjacent tufts 26 substantially along the length of the group of tufts 32. Tufts 34 thus form one or more outer rows of tufts. Tufts 34 can be formed from non- textured bristles as are know in the art. An example of some non-textured bristles are illustrated in USPNs 6,151,745 and 5,926,897. The bristles of tufts 34 can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., natural or artificial rubber) or traditional polymeric materials such as NYLON.
  • a thermoplastic elastomer e.g., natural or artificial rubber
  • traditional polymeric materials such as NYLON.
  • the bristle tufts 34 can also be provided in the form of upstanding elastomeric elements such as described in USPN 6,371,294 and WO 00/76369. It is contemplated that bristle tufts 32 and 34 can be exchanged so that non-textured bristle tufts 34 are disposed along the interior of the head 24 and textured bristle tufts 32 form the outer tuft rows of head 24. It is also contemplated that the bristle tufts 32 and 34 and be intermixed so that both disposed along the interior of the head 24 or both form the outer tuft rows of head 24. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the non-textured bristle tufts 34 may wholly or partially encircle the textured tufts 32.
  • the textured bristle tufts 32 may extend above the non-textured bristle tufts 34, as seen in Fig. 5, in order to improve the effectiveness of the textured bristle tufts 32.
  • the bristle tufts 26 comprising bristles incorporating a slip agent may extend above both the textured bristle tufts 32 and the non- textured tufts 34 as seen in Figs. 1 and 5 for better cleaning.
  • the bristle tufts 26 comprising bristles incorporating a slip agent may be provided along the interior of the head 24, as seen in Fig. 6.
  • the bristle tufts 26 may wholly or partially fill the interior of the head 26.
  • the bristle tufts 26 are shown alternating with rows of non-textured bristle tufts 34.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

A toothbrush is provided. The toothbrush has a handle and a head attached to the handle. The head has a free end most distal from the handle and opposed side edges. A first group of bristle tufts are disposed adjacent the free end of the head. The first group of bristle tufts have bristles that include a slip agent. A second group of bristle tufts are disposed along the interior of the head. The second group of bristle tufts include textured bristles. A third group of bristle tufts are disposed adjacent the side edges of the head. The third group of bristle tufts include non-textured bristles.

Description

TOOTHBRUSHES
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to toothbrushes, and, more particularly, to toothbrushes having a combination of bristle types.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Toothbrushes utilizing various types of bristles are known. However, there is continued desire to provide improved cleaning, whitening, polishing, mouth feel, and/or other benefits.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims directed to the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a toothbrush made in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of another tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of another tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of another bristle tuft profile suitable for use with the toothbrush of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of another tuft pattern for the head of the toothbrush of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made to various embodiments of the present invention examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views. All patents publications referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention is directed to toothbrushes generally, including both electric and manual toothbrushes. Referring to Fig. 1, a manual toothbrush 20 will now be described. The toothbrush 20 comprises a handle 22 and a head 24. The head has a plurality of bristle tufts. The bristle tufts 26 disposed adjacent the free end 28 of the head 24 comprise bristles that comprise a slip agent which reduces the coefficient of friction of the bristle. Some slip agents which can be used are a fluorinated olefin polymer (e.g., poly(tetrafluoroethylene)), boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, graphites, fullerene and talc. The slip agent can be a admixed with the bristle material or can form part of a coating on the bristle. The tufts 26 of bristles are arranged in a group 28 at the free end 28 of the head 24. An example of one bristle suitable for use in the tufts 26 is described in USPN 2002/0120995.
Bristle tufts 32 are disposed along the inner portion of the head 24 and can extend from the group of tufts 28 to end of the head 24 that is connected to the handle 22. The tufts 28 can be formed from bristles that have a micro or macro non-linear shape or texture associated with the bristles. Examples include crimped bristles, embossed bristles, flagged bristles, and bristles having scales, serrations, projections, pockets, dimples, or ridges about their outer surface. Some suitable bristles for tufts 28 are described in USPNs 6,058,541; 3,295,156; 4,373,541; 3,567,569; 4,616,374; 3,671,381; 5,770,307; 6,141,818; and 2,317,485.
Bristle tufts 34 are disposed adjacent the side edges 36 of the toothbrush head 24 and can extend from adjacent tufts 26 substantially along the length of the group of tufts 32. Tufts 34 thus form one or more outer rows of tufts. Tufts 34 can be formed from non- textured bristles as are know in the art. An example of some non-textured bristles are illustrated in USPNs 6,151,745 and 5,926,897. The bristles of tufts 34 can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., natural or artificial rubber) or traditional polymeric materials such as NYLON. The bristle tufts 34 can also be provided in the form of upstanding elastomeric elements such as described in USPN 6,371,294 and WO 00/76369. It is contemplated that bristle tufts 32 and 34 can be exchanged so that non-textured bristle tufts 34 are disposed along the interior of the head 24 and textured bristle tufts 32 form the outer tuft rows of head 24. It is also contemplated that the bristle tufts 32 and 34 and be intermixed so that both disposed along the interior of the head 24 or both form the outer tuft rows of head 24. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the non-textured bristle tufts 34 may wholly or partially encircle the textured tufts 32. The textured bristle tufts 32 may extend above the non-textured bristle tufts 34, as seen in Fig. 5, in order to improve the effectiveness of the textured bristle tufts 32. The bristle tufts 26 comprising bristles incorporating a slip agent may extend above both the textured bristle tufts 32 and the non- textured tufts 34 as seen in Figs. 1 and 5 for better cleaning.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the bristle tufts 26 comprising bristles incorporating a slip agent may be provided along the interior of the head 24, as seen in Fig. 6. The bristle tufts 26 may wholly or partially fill the interior of the head 26. In Fig. 6, the bristle tufts 26 are shown alternating with rows of non-textured bristle tufts 34.
While the embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with respect to the bristle tufts profiles illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, it is contemplated that other bristle tuft profiles can be provided.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A toothbrush, comprising:
a handle;
a head attached to said handle, said head having a free end most distal from said handle and opposed side edges;
a first group of bristle tufts disposed adjacent said free end of said head, said first group of bristle tufts comprising bristles having a slip agent;
a second group of bristle tufts disposed along the interior of said head, said second group of bristle tufts comprising textured bristles; and
a third group of bristle tufts disposed adjacent said side edges of said head, said third group of bristle tufts comprising non-textured bristles.
EP05813091A 2004-10-20 2005-10-19 Toothbrushes Withdrawn EP1809141A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US62061104P 2004-10-20 2004-10-20
PCT/US2005/037587 WO2006044964A1 (en) 2004-10-20 2005-10-19 Toothbrushes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1809141A1 true EP1809141A1 (en) 2007-07-25

Family

ID=35709354

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05813091A Withdrawn EP1809141A1 (en) 2004-10-20 2005-10-19 Toothbrushes

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20060080794A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1809141A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2008515569A (en)
CN (1) CN101035449A (en)
AU (1) AU2005295267A1 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0517312A (en)
CA (1) CA2584819A1 (en)
MX (1) MX2007004837A (en)
RU (2) RU2370193C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2006044964A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (41)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7975343B2 (en) * 2002-09-20 2011-07-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20090007357A1 (en) 2007-05-07 2009-01-08 The Gillette Company Oral Hygiene Implements
JP5160955B2 (en) * 2008-05-16 2013-03-13 花王株式会社 toothbrush
USD645252S1 (en) 2008-08-15 2011-09-20 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Toothbrush
WO2010033208A1 (en) * 2008-09-18 2010-03-25 Almaguer Oscar R Toothbrush with textured bristle
USD658885S1 (en) 2008-09-30 2012-05-08 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Toothbrush handle
EP2186434B1 (en) 2008-11-05 2016-10-12 Braun GmbH Toothbrush, brush and brush head for a toothbrush
CN101444363A (en) * 2008-12-09 2009-06-03 于海宽 Brush head and manufacture device thereof
USD651407S1 (en) 2009-01-23 2012-01-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD658884S1 (en) 2009-05-27 2012-05-08 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Toothbrush
PL2445374T3 (en) 2009-06-26 2017-04-28 The Gillette Company Pressure indicator for a tooth brush
US20110030160A1 (en) * 2009-08-06 2011-02-10 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Bristle configuration
USD657568S1 (en) 2010-02-26 2012-04-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD657569S1 (en) 2010-02-26 2012-04-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Head portion of an oral care implement
EP2410641A1 (en) 2010-07-23 2012-01-25 Braun GmbH Linear electric motor
CA2809642A1 (en) 2010-09-20 2012-03-29 The Gillette Company Force sensing oral care instrument
US8769758B2 (en) 2010-09-20 2014-07-08 The Gillette Company Force sensing oral care instrument
CN103220937B (en) 2010-11-22 2015-11-25 博朗有限公司 Toothbrush
US8732890B2 (en) 2010-11-22 2014-05-27 Braun Gmbh Toothbrush
US20120167319A1 (en) 2011-01-05 2012-07-05 Steven Francis Quigley Wet friction material for oral care devices
US8904590B2 (en) 2011-02-09 2014-12-09 Braun Gmbh Oral care instrument
US20120272468A1 (en) 2011-04-26 2012-11-01 The Procter & Gamble Company Oral Care Device Comprising A Synthetic Polymer Derived From A Renewable Resource And Methods Of Producing Said Device
US8763189B2 (en) 2011-05-05 2014-07-01 Braun Gmbh Oral hygiene implement
US9439740B2 (en) 2011-05-05 2016-09-13 Braun Gmbh Oral hygiene implement
WO2012174066A2 (en) 2011-06-15 2012-12-20 The Gillette Company Oral care instrument
CN103635117A (en) 2011-07-06 2014-03-12 博朗有限公司 Cleaning section for an electric oral hygiene device
CN103703668B (en) 2011-07-25 2016-12-07 博朗有限公司 Linear electro-polymer motor and the device with described linear electro-polymer motor
JP6363505B2 (en) * 2011-10-27 2018-07-25 グラクソスミスクライン・コンシューマー・ヘルスケア・ゲゼルシャフト・ミット・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング・ウント・コムパニー・コマンディットゲゼルシャフトＧｌａｘｏＳｍｉｔｈＫｌｉｎｅ Ｃｏｎｓｕｍｅｒ Ｈｅａｌｔｈｃａｒｅ ＧｍｂＨ ＆ Ｃｏ． ＫＧ toothbrush
US9510664B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2016-12-06 The Procter & Gamble Co Toothbrush having an inner cavity
US9463593B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2016-10-11 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for producing a toothbrush having an inner cavity
US9756931B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2017-09-12 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for producing a toothbrush having an inner cavity
RU2014119134A (en) 2011-11-22 2015-12-27 Дзе Проктер Энд Гэмбл Компани DENTAL BRUSH CONTAINING INTERNAL CAVITY
US9420877B2 (en) 2011-11-22 2016-08-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Method for producing a toothbrush having an inner cavity
CN107802368A (en) 2012-02-07 2018-03-16 博朗有限公司 Oral health detection means
US9718594B2 (en) 2012-02-10 2017-08-01 The Gillette Company Llc Oral care instrument and package therefore
US20130299372A1 (en) 2012-05-08 2013-11-14 Braun Gmbh Powered Oral Care Device Package
CN106998901A (en) 2014-12-19 2017-08-01 吉列有限公司 Power senses toothbrush
MX2018000271A (en) 2015-07-07 2018-04-11 Colgate Palmolive Co Oral care implement and monofilament bristle for use with the same.
PL3501363T3 (en) * 2017-12-21 2021-04-19 Bissell Homecare, Inc. Surface cleaning apparatus
EP3656250A1 (en) 2018-11-21 2020-05-27 Curaden AG Toothbrush head
US11241079B2 (en) * 2020-01-31 2022-02-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4219046Y1 (en) * 1965-07-08 1967-11-04
US4373541A (en) * 1979-08-07 1983-02-15 Nishioka Gary J Bristle structure for brushes and brush assembly
US5462798A (en) * 1992-01-08 1995-10-31 L'oreal Brush for applying a liquid product as a layer on a substrate
US6108851A (en) * 1995-03-23 2000-08-29 Gillette Canada Inc. Toothbrush
US5987688A (en) * 1995-11-09 1999-11-23 Gillette Canada Inc. Gum-massaging oral brush
US6058541A (en) * 1996-07-03 2000-05-09 Gillette Canada Inc. Crimped bristle toothbrush
US6018840A (en) * 1998-03-09 2000-02-01 Gillette Canada Inc. Notched dental hygiene article
GB9913717D0 (en) * 1999-06-14 1999-08-11 Procter & Gamble A toothbrush
HUP0201707A2 (en) * 1999-07-02 2002-09-28 Unilever Nv Electric toothbrush
US6496999B1 (en) * 2000-02-02 2002-12-24 John O. Butler Company Toothbrush with bristle configuration adapted for cleaning tooth surfaces and interproximal areas
US20020120995A1 (en) * 2000-10-02 2002-09-05 Brezler Russel A. Low friction toothbrush
DE60112774T2 (en) * 2000-10-02 2006-06-08 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Co., Wilmington FRAME-FREE TOOTHBRUSH

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2006044964A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101035449A (en) 2007-09-12
AU2005295267A1 (en) 2006-04-27
US20060080794A1 (en) 2006-04-20
RU2009109543A (en) 2010-06-20
RU2007118657A (en) 2008-11-27
BRPI0517312A (en) 2008-10-07
JP2008515569A (en) 2008-05-15
MX2007004837A (en) 2007-05-16
CA2584819A1 (en) 2006-04-27
WO2006044964A1 (en) 2006-04-27
RU2370193C2 (en) 2009-10-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2006044964A1 (en) Toothbrushes
KR100602584B1 (en) Bristle, method for producing said bristle and a device with a bristle of this type
CA2373365C (en) Gum-massaging toothbrush
ES2202367T3 (en) TEETH BRUSH WITH ELASTICALLY FLEXIBLE HEAD THAT BRINGS PIGS.
US8060970B2 (en) Toothbrush
CN106998898B (en) Head for an oral care implement
CA2943434C (en) Tuft configuration for an oral care implement
US10021962B2 (en) Head for an oral care implement
AU2003256903B2 (en) Toothbrush
US20100223746A1 (en) Novel device
US10080427B2 (en) Oral care implement and method for manufacturing the same
US10537169B2 (en) Head for an oral care implement
US20180235355A1 (en) Oral-care implement and method for manufacturing the same
CN204812617U (en) Tooth brush
KR20170105287A (en) Dual structure filament

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20070404

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20090810

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20120306