KR101011308B1 - Flexible dome toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The toothbrush 10 includes a head 14 with a bristle conveying surface formed of a thin flexible domed thin film 24. Since the air space 28 is disposed between the base and the membrane of the head, the membrane is bent to convert its shape during use, and then recover its original shape. In a second embodiment, the head 114 and / or handle 112 includes an elastomeric portion at least partially surrounding the open area. This part can be easily deformed under pressure in use, thereby improving the handling of the toothbrush and the orientation of the cleaning element 124. Optionally, the toothbrush is an elastic spring type that is co-linear with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head to separate the head into a pair of side to side longitudinal portions with a cleaning element 228 extending therethrough. A longitudinal hinge 222; The hinge presses the portion back to its original position after the hinge is opened as the cleaning element contacts the tooth.

Head, cleaning element, thin film, bristle, handle, protrusion, plaque, in-mold, container

Description

Flexible Dome Toothbrush {FLEXIBLE DOME TOOTHBRUSH}

The present invention relates to a manual toothbrush or a powered toothbrush with a handle and a head. Cleaning elements such as bristle bundles are fitted in the head. The user applies the toothpaste to the cleaning element, inserts the toothbrush head into the mouth, and cleans the teeth in a known manner.

The head of a conventional toothbrush generally has a flat or slightly modified side to which a cleaning element is attached. In general, cleaning elements are plastic strands formed from bundles or other aggregates. The strand assembly is attached to the head portion before or after forming the toothbrush handle portion.

Various attempts have been made to provide flexibility in the way the bristles are attached. In addition, various approaches have also taken the bristle retention surface of the uneven head. For example, US Pat. No. 1,688,581 discloses a toothbrush having a bristle retaining member that is somewhat curved inwardly of a hollow head. The bristle holding member is intended to be bent outward by manipulating the wire installed in the toothbrush.

U. S. Patent No. 5,483, 722 discloses a toothbrush having a flexible elastic bristle support spanning parallelly spaced handle extensions. Another embodiment of the toothbrush has a support that is bent inwardly or outwardly.

U. S. Patent No. 5,325, 560 relates to an orthodontic toothbrush having a variety of centrally positioned longitudinally arranged bristle sets arranged on a flexible member over an air bag.

U. S. Patent No. 5,799, 354 discloses a rocker-type toothbrush in which the bases are connected together by hinges. The toothbrush also has a hollow space under the base.

U. S. Patent No. 5,454, 133 discloses a toothbrush having a closed system with passages for incompressible media such as compressed gas flowing under the bristle retaining base member.

U. S. Patent No. 6,088, 870 discloses a toothbrush head with flexible mounting bristles utilizing a flexible resilient lattice to deflect during bristle to brush the teeth of various arc faces.

U.S. Patent No. 2,003,243, issued May 28, 1935 to Campbell et al., Discloses a block containing a group of bristles installed on a flexible wire attached to a hard toothbrush head (page 1, paragraph 2, lines 45-55). ) The flexibility of the mounting wire in this patent helps to match the shape of the tooth on which the toothbrush is to be wiped.

US Patent No. 2,706,825, issued to Blakeman on April 26, 1955, discloses a removable bristle holder for a toothbrush that is curved up and down relative to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush body. The flexible member of this patent changes posture. This adds to the bristles' pressure on the teeth, and the mobility of the bristles causes the bristles to come in contact with the teeth in various angles (paragraphs 2 and 15-18).

US Pat. No. 4,520,526, issued to Peters on June 4, 1985, has a flexible zone in the handle that allows the head portion to operate in relation to the handle portion of the toothbrush in one plane. The patent proposes not to damage flexible tooth material and gum tissue. (Paragraph 1, lines 42-44) US Pat. No. 5,146,645 proposes a similar structure that provides flexibility to the toothbrush head. Reduced wear on the gums.

U. S. Patent Nos. 3,355, 546 and 5,839, 149 disclose alternative approaches to impart flexibility to the cleaning elements of the toothbrush. In this patent, the toothbrush head portion is located below the tooth biting surface in a plane perpendicular to the tooth plane. The toothbrush head portion, when in this direction, has a short length bristle at the middle portion of the head that is pushed against the bite surface that causes the long external bristles to rotate into engagement with the sides of the teeth and gumline.

U.S. Patent No. 5,987,690, issued November 23, 1999, to Holler, has a connection between the handle and the head that allows the free bristle end to facilitate the deflection of the head to maintain parallel alignment to the handle during use. Toothbrush is disclosed.

U.S. Patent No. 6,003,189, issued December 21, 1999, discloses a flexible zone of the toothbrush between the handle portion and the head portion to relieve the force exerted by the toothbrush user. An elastic shock absorbing means is inserted into the zone to deflect the head to the non-working position.

U. S. Patent No. 6,141, 817 discloses a toothbrush head having a central longitudinal axis in the middle lower portion of an elastic member containing bristles. The central axis limits the deformation of the middle of the elastic member. The head balance portion is inclined at one side of the central axis so that the flexible member can perform considerable motion, causing the outer bristles to spread outward. Outward movements are believed to enhance the invasion of bristles into the cracks (paragraphs 2, lines 40-46).

European Patent Publication No. 0 454 625 A1, filed October 30, 1991, discloses a cam in a toothbrush handle that is used to change the angular orientation of the head relative to the handle.

Another airway intended to provide any form of operability of the cleaning element in the prior art is a toothbrush in which both the handle portion and the head portion are longitudinally hinged to provide displaceable bristles seated about the teeth. WO 90/01281 and US Pat. No. 5,228,466, which disclose US Pat.

U. S. Patent No. 1,616, 484 discloses a toothbrush hinged along the length of the handle portion such that the two spaced head zones can be placed back to back with respect to each other. U.S. Patent No. 1,616,484 discloses a hinged toothbrush that can be used to brush teeth in three different directions. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,528,782 and 5,269,083 disclose bristles that are installed in a left-right vibration manner. U. S. Patent 5,799, 354 discloses the use of a hollow space provided for the hinge operation. U. S. Patent No. 1,924, 152 discloses a toothbrush with a set of rubber bristle rows. U. S. Patent No. 301,644 discloses a toothbrush having a row of bristles installed on tongue rubber.

U.S. Patent No. 421,843 describes a toothbrush in which the bristle retaining surface appears non-planar.

U.S. Patent No. 4,240,452 discloses an elastic base toothbrush having a bristle holding plane installed over a rubber tube.

Many patents disclose teeth and / or gum massage devices having non-planar surfaces. For example, British Patent 524,135 relates to a gum massage device having an air filled hollow rubber head portion providing an air cushion for the gum massage device. US Patent No. 1,058,273 discloses a massage device having an indoor air space. U. S. Patent No. 2,148, 483 discloses a tooth and gum massager and exercise device having a space filled with air. In addition, US Patent No. 2,176,309 discloses a gum massager having an air pocket.

Also known in the patents are combs with domed outer surfaces. Examples of such patents include US Pat. Nos. 3,739,419, 4,500,939, and 5,581,840. Similarly, U. S. Patent No. 892, 299 shows a cosmetic brush with a convexly shaped bristle holding face.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush head with a domed or trampoline type cleaning element holding face, thereby providing increased flexibility of the cleaning element.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush in which the head portion is hinged along the hinge axis, which is coaxial with the head longitudinal axis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush utilizing a cleaning element wrapped around the edge of the tooth to make simultaneous contact with both the front and the upper part of the tooth.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing technique for manufacturing the toothbrush.

According to a feature of the invention, the toothbrush has a head-shaped head portion with an upstanding wall to create a circumferential frame. The thin elastic member is installed in a frame having an open space between the thin film and the frame. In its initial state, an unused toothbrush is one in which the thin film is convex and its original shape is domed. The thin film has the flexibility to change its original shape during use while brushing the teeth such that the cleaning elements retained in the thin film randomly regain its original shape during use.

Preferably, the cleaning elements are bristles fixed to the thin film in an in-molded technology (IMT) manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the toothbrush head is elliptical in shape and the thin film is also elliptical. The membrane is convex in its longitudinal and transverse directions.

According to another feature, the present invention seeks the desired flexibility in the head and the handle in a simple and effective manner. Similar to trampoline, at least the head portion bearing the bristles, when in use, has a structure that facilitates deformation of the bristles, which is excellent in contact with the teeth and improves the tooth brushing action. The pressure exerted by the bristles on the teeth causes the head to deflect along the bristles, while the flexible head is designed to return to its original position once the pressure of the bristles is relieved. During the release of pressure from the pressure exerted on the handle, the bristles are in constant contact with the teeth because of the flexibility established in the toothbrush head.

According to another feature of the invention, the toothbrush head has a projection extending coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the head and divides the head into a pair of parallel longitudinal sections connected to the projection. The protrusion forms a hinge axis made of an elastic material, which serves as an elastic body to move the section back to its original position in response to contact with the tooth.

In a good practice of this aspect of the invention, the parallel section may also contain a flexible flexible material. Preferably, the cleaning element in each section has an outer set cleaning element of a longer length than the inner set. The external cleaning element functions as a plaque removal bristles of sufficient length to partially extend along the tooth, while the internal cleaning element cleans the toothbrush against the tooth. Preferably, the inner set end face of the cleaning element forms an obtuse angle from the two sets of internal cleaning elements of the parallel section, maximizing contact with the teeth when the section is in its original position. In use, the toothbrush head is forced against the edge of the tooth to open and close the flexible hinge during brushing.

1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 1;

3 is a front view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

Figure 5 is a front view of the electric toothbrush in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the head portion and handle portion to allow the toothbrush to bend, in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention, comprising a bristles and handle portion suitable for good cleaning and adjustment of teeth.

Figure 7 is a side view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of FIG. 6 showing the bent portion of the bristle and open area under the handle section. FIG.

10 is a top plan view of the powered toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a toothbrush formed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a side view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 11 and 12;

Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 11-13 in its original closed position;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view through FIG. 13 along line 15-15, with the toothbrush head in the hinged open position and omitting some cleaning elements;

Figure 16 is a front view of the powered toothbrush in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 11-15 of the present invention.

1-4 illustrate a toothbrush 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the toothbrush 10 has a handle portion 12 and a head portion 14. The handle portion 12 has a suitable gripping pad 16 made of elastomeric material. The present invention mainly aims at the structure of the head portion 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the head 14 has a foundation 18 with an upstanding wall 20 to create a perimeter frame extending outwardly of the foundation 18. According to the invention, a thin film 22 is attached to the frame 20 along its circumference completely. The thin film 22, which is initially in an unused state, is convex or outwardly curved as shown in detail in FIG. Such a convex bending operation is preferably bent in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, representing a domed outer surface 24, with the cleaning element 26 connected thereto.

The invention in all embodiments is particularly suitable for cleaning elements in the form of in-mold attached strands or bristles which require a small cross section of material to which the strands are permanently attached. Strands utilizing the IMT method are attached during the formation of the head portion with the toothbrush portion to which the strands and other materials are attached or during the formation of the toothbrush handle portion. The core of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 5 is the use of a thin cross-section material for the thin film 22. The thin film 22 is a flexible elastic body. For example, the cross section shown in Fig. 4 is formed in the shape of a crescent to show a shape similar to the dome.

Since there is an open space 28 between the base 18 and the membrane 22, the membrane changes from its original dome shape and the cleaning elements or bristles 26 come into contact with the teeth and distort into other shapes. Thus, the dome 22 has a thin film of material or combination that randomly bends and changes back to its original shape during brushing. The bristles 26 are attached to the flexible dome and thus move, creating random topological structures and motions to enhance brushing teeth. The moving bristle strands have more movement angles than other toothbrushes, representing different and unique toothbrush mechanisms.

In this above-described embodiment of the present invention, the head 14 is generally elliptical, and the membrane 22 is of a corresponding elliptical shape. Reference is made to FIG. 3.

Any suitable type of cleaning element may be used as the cleaning element 26 in the broad practice of the present invention. The expression "washing element" refers to the use of a generally recognized one comprising conventional fiber bristles or massage elements, or a circular cross section having a straight portion or sinusoidal portion or an elastomeric finger arranged in any desired shape or It refers to use in other types of cleaning elements such as walls. Where bristles are used, the bristle bases are installed in or under the bundle block and under the membrane 22 such that the bristles extend through the appropriate holes into the bundle block and are installed in the bundle block or section.

It is to be understood that the specific description of the cleaning elements has been presented by way of example only. The present invention is practiced by various combinations of the same or different structures of cleaning elements (e.g., staples or IMT bristles, anchor free technology, etc.) and / or the same bristle or cleaning element material (e.g. , Nylon bristle, spiral bristle, rubber bristle, etc.). Similarly, while FIG. 2 illustrates a cleaning element that is generally perpendicular to the outer surface 24, the thin film 22, or the head 14, some or all of the cleaning element may be disposed on the outer surface of the head 14. It can be made to be angled with respect to various angles. Thus, the combination of the cleaning element's structure, materials and orientation can be chosen to achieve specific properties that result in additional oral health benefits such as improved clean teeth polishing, tooth whitening and / or gum massage. Can be.

However, the IMT bristle is preferable as the cleaning element 26 because the IMT bristle requires a material of small cross section to which the strand is attached and the thin film 22 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a small cross section.

1 to 3 generally describe the occupancy of the entire head 14 by the thin film 22, the present invention provides a sufficient size of the head (see FIG. 1) to provide another bristle holding surface adjacent to the domed thin film 22. FIG. 14) can be carried out where it takes place.

Although FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a manual operated toothbrush, the present invention may also be practiced where the head includes a cleaning element having one or more powered or motorized moving parts. Such a movable portion vibrates linearly or longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head or linearly oscillates laterally or transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable portion oscillates in and out of the direction away from it towards the outer surface of the head. The movable part vibrates left and right in the front and rear directions with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable part can rotate continuously in the same direction besides vibration. Any suitable drive mechanism can be used to impart the desired action to the movable portion. Where multiple moving parts are used, all moving parts have the same movement type and orientation, or a combination of different movements.

Figure 5 illustrates a toothbrush 10A with a powered disk or zone 30 with cleaning elements. The movable part 30 is oscillated rotationally using the drive mechanism type shown in U. S. Patent No. 5,625, 916 or operated in and out using the drive mechanism type shown in U. S. Patent No. Re 35,941, and detailed description of the two patents. Are all incorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the other types of drives mentioned above may operate the zone 30 in different ways and directions. Although FIG. 5 shows the movable portion 30 at the distal end of the head, the movable portion (s) may be located at any desired location on the head.

The handle 12, base 18 and frame 20 are preferably made of a rigid plastic material used for a manual toothbrush. As noted, the feature of the domed thin film 22 is that it is made of a flexible elastic material, such as an elastomer, that has the property of being able to move in its original position and then return to its original position.

The membrane 22 is secured to the frame 20 in a suitable manner. Thus, for example, the flam 20 includes an inwardly inclined surface to receive the thin film. Within the scope of the present invention, other structural arrangements may be used to mount the thin film on the head 14.

6-9 illustrate a manual toothbrush 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This is a variant of the prior art embodiment which uses a trampoline type structure to achieve the up and down motion. As shown, the toothbrush 110 includes a handle 112 and a head 114. The handle 112 includes a suitable region 116 made of elastomeric material. This elastomeric portion of the handle is well molded in an open area 118 that can be easily deformed by the user. The elastomeric material 16 on the upper side of the handle 12 (as seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9) provides pressure to the user's finger to provide good grip on the handle while providing comfort to the handle. Yielded to the bottom. 9 shows the elastomeric portion 116 of the handle 112 in a pressed state. The down arrow in this figure indicates the pressure exerted by the toothbrush user. Thus, open area 118 is minimized. As soon as the user's pressure is released, the properties of this elastomeric portion 116 of the handle 112 return the elastomeric material 116 to its original form shown in FIG.

The flexible variable open area 120 is formed in the head by including the elastomeric portion 122 in the head that overlaps the open area 120. The cleaning element 124 is disposed in the elastomeric portion of the head and secured thereto by known methods, including in-mold technique (IMT). Bristle attachment using the IMT method is performed during the shaping of the toothbrush handle or during the shaping of the elastomeric portion 122 of the head 114.

In use, the application of pressure by the toothbrush user creates a similar pressure against the cleaning element 124 as shown by the arrow in FIG. This causes deformation of the elastomeric portion 122 of the head 114 and reorients the cleaning element relative to the tooth to be cleaned. When the pressure of the user is reduced, the open area 120 of the head 114 is opened, so that the cleaning element follows the tooth shape to be cleaned, thereby improving the cleaning of the teeth. When all user pressure has been released, open area 120 returns to its original form.

The elastomeric portion 122 of the head 114 is made of a bendable material or combination of materials such that its original shape can be deformed and optionally returned to its original shape during brushing. For example, the cleaning elements and bristles are attached to the flexible thin film to induce a flexible orientation of the cleaning elements 124 to improve cleaning of the teeth. Movable bristle strands have significant mobility, providing a unique tooth brushing experience.

A suitable type of cleaning element is a cleaning element 124 used in the widespread use of the present invention as described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. It should be appreciated that the cleaning elements shown are merely exemplary. Various combinations of the same or different cleaning elements (staple or in-mold bristles, AFT, etc.) and / or the same bristle or cleaning element material (nylon, bristle, spiral bristle, rubber bristle, etc.) may be used in the present invention. Likewise, FIGS. 7 and 9 generally show cleaning elements perpendicular to the elastomeric portion 122 of the head 114, and some or all of the cleaning elements may be inclined at various angles. Thus, it is possible to select combinations of cleaning element shapes, materials and orientations, etc., in order to achieve the particular purpose of providing additional oral health benefits such as cleaning enhancement, tooth polishing, tooth whitening and / or gum massage and the like.

Parts of the head 114 and handle 112 are made of a hard plastic material used in manual toothbrushes. However, as described, the feature of this toothbrush is the elastomer of the elastic portion 116 and / or the head 114 of the handle, such as an elastomer that can be moved from its original position and then returned to its original position. Using part 122.

The present invention is used in embodiments where the head 114 includes one or more powered or motorized cleaning element transfers.

FIG. 10 shows a toothbrush 110A comprising a power driven movable disk or movable portion 150 having a cleaning element. The movable portion 150 is similar to the portion 30 of FIG. 5. Although FIG. 10 illustrates a movable portion 150 disposed at one end of the head, as shown in FIG. 5, the movable portion (s) may be disposed at any position required on the head.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the toothbrush comprises a head that is longitudinally separated into the side to side region by a flexible hinge structure that performs the action of returning the brush head material and cleaning element to its original position. 11-13 show a toothbrush 210 including an extended handle 212 and a head 214. A portion of the handle 212 is concave in the gripping area 216 between the shoulders 218, 220. The shoulder 218 extends outwards a sufficient distance to act as a hook or protrusion that facilitates suspending the toothbrush in an inverted state.

Head 214 and handle 212 extend and have a longitudinal axis. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the head 214 includes a toothbrush handle and a protrusion 222 extending in line with the major or longitudinal axis of the head. As a result, the head 214 is separated into two side to side longitudinal portions 224 and 226, which portions are connected to the protrusion 222. The protrusion 222 is made of an elastic material, such as an elastomer, which is flexibly moved and then returned to its original position. As a result, the protrusion 222 is operated with the hinge axis; Accordingly, when the cleaning elements on the portions 224 and 226 contact the teeth, the side to side portions 224 and 226 are moved or pivoted from their original position shown in FIG. 14 to the open position shown in FIG. do. The portions 224, 226 are then returned to their original position under the influence of the elastic hinge or protrusion 222. The hinge or protrusion 222 is preferably limited to the head 214.

As shown, each of the portions 224, 226 includes a cleaning element set. For example, an outer set of cleaning elements 228 is disposed on the outer periphery of portions 224 and 226, and an inner set of cleaning elements 230 is disposed close to protrusion 222. The end surface 232 of the inner cleaning element 230 is inclined toward the hinge axis 222; When the brush head is in its original position, the adjacent end faces 232 of each inner set of cleaning elements form an obtuse angle as shown by the letter A in FIG.

The outer set of cleaning elements 228 extends outward from the outer surface of the portion by a longer distance than the inner cleaning element 230. As a result, the combined cleaning element is designed to be surrounded around the edge of the tooth and in simultaneous contact with the front and top of the tooth (see FIG. 14). In use, the brush head is pressed against the edge of the tooth to open and close the flexible hinge during cleaning.

As shown in Figures 11-13, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer set of cleaning elements 228 is a bristle bundle of plaque bristles. The inner cleaning elements 230 are bristles formed by an in-mold technique (IMT), in which a set of bristles are melted together at one end, which is then inserted into the forming cavity during head manufacture.

Figure 15 shows a state in which portions 224 and 226 are in the open position. In FIG. 15, some cleaning elements are omitted in order to better recognize how the cleaning elements are mounted. As shown, plaque bristles 228 take the form of bristle bundles or bundles that are inserted into respective holes of bristle container 236. The inner set of cleaning elements 230 is an IMT bristle mounted to the IMT container 238. The IMT container 238 is made of a soft, flexible elastomeric material that is integral with the hinge axis 222 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the bristle container 236 does not fully extend to the end of the head 214. Thus, in order to provide a smooth contour along the sides of the head 214, a side plate 240 is provided on each side of the head in longitudinal contact with the bristle container 236 to provide the remaining length of the container 238. For the bristle container 238. The side plate 240 is made of a soft, flexible elastomeric material.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, each inner row of IMT bristles 230 includes spaced or staggered bristles, so that the inclined IMT bristles of each portion are the spacing of adjacent IMT bristles of the other portions. Is inserted in between.

11 to 15 show preferred types of cleaning elements, plaque bristles and IMT bristles, and cleaning elements of appropriate type may be used as the cleaning elements 228 and 230 as described above. Thus, the term "cleaning element" means, in a general sense, a conventional fiber bristle or massage element, or any other type of cleaning element, such as an elastomeric finger or wall disposed in a circular cross section, or a straight or sinusoidal part. It includes form to assume. When bristles are used, the bristles extend through the appropriate openings of the bundle block so that the base of the bristles can be mounted to the bundle block or part, as the base of the bristles is disposed in or within the bundle block.                 

Likewise, it should be appreciated that the cleaning elements shown are merely exemplary. The present invention can be used in various combinations of the same or different cleaning device types (such as staples or IMT bristles, AFTs, etc.), and / or the same bristle or cleaning device materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). 12 generally shows a cleaning element perpendicular to the outer surface of the head 214, some or all of these cleaning elements may be formed at various angles with respect to the outer surface of the head 214. . Thus, it is possible to select combinations of cleaning element shapes, materials and orientations, etc., in order to achieve the specific purpose of providing additional oral health benefits such as cleaning enhancement, tooth polishing, tooth whitening and / or gum massage and the like. .

The handle 212 may be made of a conventional hard plastic material, but includes a soft elastomeric portion 242 near the head 214. The bristle container 236 is made of a rigid plastic material, and the side plate 240 and the IMT container 238 are made of a soft elastomeric material. By having a bristle container 236 mounted against the IMT container 238, the bristle container 236 and its cleaning element 228 may cause the bristle container 236 of the IMT container 238 to respond to the IMT container 230 in contact with the teeth. It is moved along with the movement. If desired, the bristle container 236 may be made of a soft elastomeric material.

11 to 13 show a manual toothbrush, the present invention can be used where the head includes one or more powered or electrically movable cleaning element transfer parts. 6 illustrates a toothbrush 210 comprising a movable disk or a movable disk with a cleaning element, similar to the movable portions of toothbrushes 10A and 110A.

Claims (33)

 With the handle 12, A head 14 fixed to the handle 12, An elastic thin film 22 having a circumference mounted to the frame to form an open space 28 between the thin film 22 and the base 18, At least one cleaning element (26) on the membrane (22), extending from the head (14), The head takes the form of a base (18) with upstanding walls (20) forming a peripheral frame; The wall (20) has a mounting surface for receiving the circumference of the elastic thin film (22) or for enclosing the open space in the head (14); The thin film 22 has an unused initial state; The initial state of the thin film has a convex shape having an original dome shape; The thin film is a toothbrush, characterized in that after changing the original shape of the toothbrush can be arbitrarily returned to the original shape.  2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said at least one cleaning element (26) comprises bristles secured to said thin film (22) by an in-mold technique.  The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the head and the membrane are generally oval.  4. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said thin film is convex in transverse and longitudinal directions.  Forming a head 14 having a base portion 18 with an upstanding wall 20 to form a frame comprising a circumferential mounting surface and a handle 12 attached to the head 14 on the wall 20. Steps, Mounting a bristle feed surface 22, which is a dome-shaped thin film made of a flexible elastic material, to a frame attached to the circumferential mounting surface; Fixing the domed thin film 22 to the circumferential mounting surface of the wall 20 in such a manner that an open space 28 is provided below the thin film; And attaching bristle (26) to the thin film by an in-mold technique.  6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the bristle (26) is attached to a thin film (22) and the thin film is attached to a head before forming the handle (14).  6. The method of claim 5, wherein the bristle (26) is attached to a thin film (22), the thin film being attached to a head after forming a handle (14).  6. The method of claim 5 wherein the bristle (26) is attached to a thin film during handle formation.  Handle 112, A head portion 114, The head portion comprises an open area 120 partially surrounded by elastomeric material 122; The elastomeric material has a portion extending from the open region 120 to the head portion 114; The material can be readily deformed into the open area 120 and extension to change its original orientation during toothbrush use and then return to assuming its original orientation after toothbrush use; The head portion (114) comprises a cleaning element (124) on the elastomeric material (122) in the open area (120) and extension.  10. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said head portion (114) comprises a cleaning element (124) secured to an elastomeric material by an in-mold technique.  10. The handle 112 of claim 9, wherein the handle 112 includes an open area 118 at least partially surrounded by an elastomeric material 116, wherein the material 116 is deformable into the interior of the open area 118 of the handle. Toothbrush characterized in that.  10. The toothbrush of claim 9, wherein said cleaning element (124) is a bristle bundle.  2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the portion of the toothbrush comprises a powered cleaning element (150).  Forming a head 114 and a handle 112 attached to the head 114, Attaching the cleaning element 124 to the elastomeric material 122 by an in-mold technique in the open region 120 and extension, A portion of the head includes an open area 120 partially surrounded by elastomeric material 122; The elastomeric material 122 includes a portion extending from the open area 120 to the head 114; The material (122) is a toothbrush manufacturing method, characterized in that it can be easily deformed into the open area (120) and extension.  15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cleaning element (124) is attached to the elastomeric material (122) during formation of the handle (112).  Handle 212, A head 214 mounted to the handle and having a longitudinal axis; A protrusion 222 extending in line with the longitudinal axis dividing the head 214 into a pair of side to side longitudinal portions 224 and 226 connected to the protrusion, A plurality of cleaning elements (230, 228) on each of said portions extending outwardly in a direction away from said longitudinal axis from said portion, The protrusion is limited to the head; Wherein the protrusion (222) defines a hinge axis made of an elastic material comprising a spring-type hinge such that the portion (224, 226) is pivoted to and from the original position.  17. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein each side to side portion (224, 226) comprises an inner set of cleaning elements (230) and an outer set of cleaning elements (228).  18. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein the distal end (232) of the inner set of cleaning elements (230) is inclined toward the hinge axis (222).  18. The toothbrush according to claim 17, wherein the distal ends (232) of the inner set of cleaning elements (230) form obtuse angles with respect to each other.  18. The toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the outer set of cleaning elements (228) is longer than the inner set of cleaning elements (230).  18. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein the inner set of cleaning elements (230) have gaps spaced apart in each inner set, wherein the gaps of the sets overlap one another to form a staggered pattern.  18. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said outer set of cleaning elements (228) is a single row of plaque bristles.  23. The toothbrush of claim 22, wherein the inner set of cleaning elements is IMT bristles.  24. The method of claim 23, wherein the IMT bristles of each set (230) are mounted in an IMT container (238) extending toward the distal end of the head (214); Each set of plaque bristles is mounted to a bristle container 236 disposed along a side and connected to the IMT container for the respective portion; The IMT container extends farther from the handle 212 than the bristle container; In order to form a smooth continuous outer surface of the head in each of the portions, side plates 240 are in longitudinal contact with each of the bristle containers, and the IMT container for the remaining length of the IMT container on each part. Toothbrush disposed about.  25. The toothbrush of claim 24, wherein the IMT container is made of a soft, flexible material.  25. The toothbrush of claim 24, wherein said side plates are made of a soft, flexible material.  25. The toothbrush of claim 24, wherein the IMT container (238) is integral with the protrusion (222) and the bristle container is made of a hard plastic material.  18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inner set of cleaning elements 230 is mounted to an inner container, and the outer set of cleaning elements is mounted to an outer container disposed along a side of the inner container and connected to the inner container. Toothbrush made.  29. The toothbrush of claim 28, wherein the inner container is made of a flexible material integral with the protrusion.  29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the inner container extends outwardly farther from the handle than the outer container; In order to form a smooth inter-combustion outer surface of the head in each of the parts, each of the parts includes a side plate which is in longitudinal contact with the outer container and disposed against the inner container for the remaining length of the inner container. Toothbrush made.  17. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said handle comprises a concave grip.  17. The method of claim 16, wherein the side to side longitudinal portions (224, 226) form obtuse angles with respect to each other in their original position.  2. The toothbrush or toothbrush manufacturing method of claim 1, wherein the mounting surface of the wall is inclined inward.

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