GB2167995A - Toothbrushes - Google Patents

Toothbrushes Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2167995A
GB2167995A GB08431109A GB8431109A GB2167995A GB 2167995 A GB2167995 A GB 2167995A GB 08431109 A GB08431109 A GB 08431109A GB 8431109 A GB8431109 A GB 8431109A GB 2167995 A GB2167995 A GB 2167995A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
handle
toothbrush
soft material
relatively soft
sleeve
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08431109A
Other versions
GB2167995B (en
GB8431109D0 (en
Inventor
Anthony John Heath
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB08431109A priority Critical patent/GB2167995B/en
Publication of GB8431109D0 publication Critical patent/GB8431109D0/en
Publication of GB2167995A publication Critical patent/GB2167995A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2167995B publication Critical patent/GB2167995B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0055—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
    • A46B15/0075—Brushes with an additional massage device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • 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
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/02—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware specially shaped for holding by the hand
    • A46B5/026—Grips or handles having a nonslip section
    • 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
    • B25G1/12—Handle constructions characterised by material or shape electrically insulating material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A toothbrush (1) having bristles (2) at one end has a handle the major portion of which takes the form of a slightly tapering prong (3) which is considerably smaller in cross-section than the remainder of the toothbrush. The prong (3) is covered by a sleeve (4) of relatively soft material which is designed to be bitten. Biting such a soft material has a beneficial effect on the tooth and gums. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in toothbrushes This invention relates to toothbrushes.
It has been found that biting a relatively soft material has a beneficial effect on the teeth and gums. However, the material from which conventional toothbrushes is made has been found to be too hard for biting purposes. The material should be much softer and preferably slightly resilient. However, a toothbrush cannot be made of such material because the handle would then be too flexible when the toothbrush was being used for brushing the teeth in a conventional manner. On the other hand, a totally independent article intended solely for biting is likely to encounter consumer resistance.
The present invention aims to provide a toothbrush which overcomes these problems.
According to the invention, there is provided a toothbrush having bristles at one end and a handle at the other end wherein at least a portion of the handle is provided with a layer of relatively soft material which is adapted to be bitten.
Preferably, the portion of the handle which is provided with said layer of relatively soft material is substantially narrower in cross-section than that of a conventional toothbrush and said layer of relatively soft material takes the form of a sleeve fitted over said portion of the handle. This portion of the handle thus provides a stiffening core for the sleeve enabling the bristles of the toothbrush to be used in a conventional manner for brushing the teeth.
The sleeve may, if desired, be detachable so that it can be replaced if it should be worn out before the bristles are worn. This also permits sleeves of different degrees of hardness to be fitted on the toothbrush so that a user can progress, for example, from a very soft material to progressively harder materials as his teeth become stronger from biting.
The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawing which is a perspective view of one embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention.
Referring to the drawing, the toothbrush 1 is provided with a series of bristles 2 at one end as on a conventional toothbrush. The major portion of the handle of the toothbrush takes the form of a slightly tapering prong 3 which is considerably smaller in cross-section than the remainder of the toothbrush.
The prong 3 is covered by a sleeve 4 of relatively soft material which is designed to be bitten.
The sleeve 4 may simply be a force-fit over the prong 3 or it may be secured on the prong by means of a suitable adhesive.
The soft material of the sleeve may consist of any material which is suitable for biting but relatively flexible, slightly resilient synthetic plastics materials are preferred.
The invention is not restricted to the abovedescribed embodiment but modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of taking the form of a sleeve surrounding a portion of the handle of the toothbrush, the relatively soft material may take the form of one or more strips secured to the handle. Preferably, two such strips are provided on opposite sides of the handle which may have substantially the same width as that of a conventional toothbrush but be slightly thinner to receive said strips of relatively soft material for biting.
1. A toothbrush having bristles at one end and a handle at its other end wherein at least a portion of the handle is provided with a layer of relatively soft material which is adapted to be bitten.
2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the handle which is provided with said layer of relatively soft material is of reduced crosssection compared to the remainder of the handle and wherein said layer of relatively soft material takes the form of a sleeve fitted over said portion of the handle.
3. A toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the said portion of the handle provided with the sleeve of relatively soft material takes the form of a tapered prong which extends over a major portion of the axial length of the handle.
4. A toothbrush according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the sleeve is detachably fitted on said portion of the handle.
5. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sleeve is a force-fit over said portion of the handle.
6. A toothbrush according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the sleeve is secured to said portion of the handle by an adhesive.
7. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the layer of relatively soft material comprises a number of strips secured to said portion of the handle.
8. Atoothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the handle is oval or substantially rectangular in cross-section and wherein two strips of relatively soft material are provided, said strips being located on opposite sides of said portion of the handle.
9. Atoothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein said layer of relatively soft material is made of a relatively flexible, slightly resilient, synthetic plastics material.
10. Atoothbrush substantially as described herein with reference to the drawing.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in toothbrushes This invention relates to toothbrushes. It has been found that biting a relatively soft material has a beneficial effect on the teeth and gums. However, the material from which conventional toothbrushes is made has been found to be too hard for biting purposes. The material should be much softer and preferably slightly resilient. However, a toothbrush cannot be made of such material because the handle would then be too flexible when the toothbrush was being used for brushing the teeth in a conventional manner. On the other hand, a totally independent article intended solely for biting is likely to encounter consumer resistance. The present invention aims to provide a toothbrush which overcomes these problems. According to the invention, there is provided a toothbrush having bristles at one end and a handle at the other end wherein at least a portion of the handle is provided with a layer of relatively soft material which is adapted to be bitten. Preferably, the portion of the handle which is provided with said layer of relatively soft material is substantially narrower in cross-section than that of a conventional toothbrush and said layer of relatively soft material takes the form of a sleeve fitted over said portion of the handle. This portion of the handle thus provides a stiffening core for the sleeve enabling the bristles of the toothbrush to be used in a conventional manner for brushing the teeth. The sleeve may, if desired, be detachable so that it can be replaced if it should be worn out before the bristles are worn. This also permits sleeves of different degrees of hardness to be fitted on the toothbrush so that a user can progress, for example, from a very soft material to progressively harder materials as his teeth become stronger from biting. The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawing which is a perspective view of one embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention. Referring to the drawing, the toothbrush 1 is provided with a series of bristles 2 at one end as on a conventional toothbrush. The major portion of the handle of the toothbrush takes the form of a slightly tapering prong 3 which is considerably smaller in cross-section than the remainder of the toothbrush. The prong 3 is covered by a sleeve 4 of relatively soft material which is designed to be bitten. The sleeve 4 may simply be a force-fit over the prong 3 or it may be secured on the prong by means of a suitable adhesive. The soft material of the sleeve may consist of any material which is suitable for biting but relatively flexible, slightly resilient synthetic plastics materials are preferred. The invention is not restricted to the abovedescribed embodiment but modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of taking the form of a sleeve surrounding a portion of the handle of the toothbrush, the relatively soft material may take the form of one or more strips secured to the handle. Preferably, two such strips are provided on opposite sides of the handle which may have substantially the same width as that of a conventional toothbrush but be slightly thinner to receive said strips of relatively soft material for biting. CLAIMS
1. A toothbrush having bristles at one end and a handle at its other end wherein at least a portion of the handle is provided with a layer of relatively soft material which is adapted to be bitten.
2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the handle which is provided with said layer of relatively soft material is of reduced crosssection compared to the remainder of the handle and wherein said layer of relatively soft material takes the form of a sleeve fitted over said portion of the handle.
3. A toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the said portion of the handle provided with the sleeve of relatively soft material takes the form of a tapered prong which extends over a major portion of the axial length of the handle.
4. A toothbrush according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the sleeve is detachably fitted on said portion of the handle.
5. A toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sleeve is a force-fit over said portion of the handle.
6. A toothbrush according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the sleeve is secured to said portion of the handle by an adhesive.
7. A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the layer of relatively soft material comprises a number of strips secured to said portion of the handle.
8. Atoothbrush according to claim 7, wherein the handle is oval or substantially rectangular in cross-section and wherein two strips of relatively soft material are provided, said strips being located on opposite sides of said portion of the handle.
9. Atoothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein said layer of relatively soft material is made of a relatively flexible, slightly resilient, synthetic plastics material.
10. Atoothbrush substantially as described herein with reference to the drawing.
GB08431109A 1984-12-10 1984-12-10 Toothbrushes Expired GB2167995B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08431109A GB2167995B (en) 1984-12-10 1984-12-10 Toothbrushes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08431109A GB2167995B (en) 1984-12-10 1984-12-10 Toothbrushes

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8431109D0 GB8431109D0 (en) 1985-01-16
GB2167995A true GB2167995A (en) 1986-06-11
GB2167995B GB2167995B (en) 1988-02-24

Family

ID=10570945

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08431109A Expired GB2167995B (en) 1984-12-10 1984-12-10 Toothbrushes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2167995B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999017915A1 (en) 1997-10-06 1999-04-15 Colgate-Palmolive Company Multi-component injection molded toothbrush and manufacture thereof
WO1999044465A1 (en) 1998-03-06 1999-09-10 Gillette Canada Company Flexible tip toothbrush handle
US6298516B1 (en) * 1998-03-06 2001-10-09 Gillette Canada Company Toothbrushes
US7917986B2 (en) 2005-07-26 2011-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20150210365A1 (en) * 2012-05-24 2015-07-30 Kaj Zingo Smith Cleaning pole sleeve

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD381206S (en) 1996-04-02 1997-07-22 Al Mannino Toothbrush

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB396846A (en) * 1932-03-07 1933-08-17 Alban Russell Culmer Improvements in or relating to tooth-brushes
GB1150428A (en) * 1965-08-27 1969-04-30 Samuel Milton Peck Disposable Brush and method of making such Brushes

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB396846A (en) * 1932-03-07 1933-08-17 Alban Russell Culmer Improvements in or relating to tooth-brushes
GB1150428A (en) * 1965-08-27 1969-04-30 Samuel Milton Peck Disposable Brush and method of making such Brushes

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999017915A1 (en) 1997-10-06 1999-04-15 Colgate-Palmolive Company Multi-component injection molded toothbrush and manufacture thereof
WO1999044465A1 (en) 1998-03-06 1999-09-10 Gillette Canada Company Flexible tip toothbrush handle
EP1063907A1 (en) * 1998-03-06 2001-01-03 Gillette Canada Company Flexible tip toothbrush handle
US6234798B1 (en) * 1998-03-06 2001-05-22 Gillette Canada Inc. Flexible tip toothbrush handle
US6298516B1 (en) * 1998-03-06 2001-10-09 Gillette Canada Company Toothbrushes
EP1063907A4 (en) * 1998-03-06 2004-12-29 Gillette Canada Flexible tip toothbrush handle
US7917986B2 (en) 2005-07-26 2011-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20150210365A1 (en) * 2012-05-24 2015-07-30 Kaj Zingo Smith Cleaning pole sleeve
US9725143B2 (en) * 2012-05-24 2017-08-08 Shurhold Industries, Inc. Cleaning pole sleeve

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2167995B (en) 1988-02-24
GB8431109D0 (en) 1985-01-16

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Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee