MXPA05001586A

MXPA05001586A - Flexible dome toothbrush.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05001586A
Application number: MXPA05001586A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Bruce M Russell
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 2002-08-09
Filing date: 2003-08-08
Publication date: 2005-04-25
Also published as: AU2003259079B2; CA2495026A1; KR20050065524A; AU2003259079A1; MX354782B; CA2858709A1; AU2010257380A1; EP1534100A1; AU2010257380B2; MX343715B; BR0313316A; KR101011308B1; CA2495026C; CN101357023B; CN101357023A; EP1534100A4; WO2004014181A1

Abstract

A toothbrush (10) includes a head (14) having a bristle carrying surface formed from a thin flexible dome shaped membrane (24). An air space (28) is located between the base of the head and the membrane so that the membrane can be capable of flexing to alter its shape during use and then resuming the original shape. In a second embodiment, the head (114) and/or handle (112) have elastomeric portions at least partially surrounding an open area. These portions are readily deflectable under pressure during use to improve handling of the toothrush and orientation of the cleaning elements (124). Alternatively the toothbrush includes a resilient spring-like longitudinal hinge (222) collinear with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head so as to separate the head into a pair of side by side longitudinal sections having extending cleaning elements (228) wherein the hinge urges the sections to return to their original position after the hinge has been opened as a result of the cleaning elements contacting teeth.

Description

TOOTHBRUSH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a manually held and operated toothbrush or an electric toothbrush which includes a handle and a head. The cleaning elements are mounted on the head such as bunches of bristles. When a toothpaste is applied to the cleaning elements the user inserts the head into the mouth and brushes the teeth in a known manner.

The head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a flat or slightly altered surface to which the cleaning elements are attached. Usually the cleaning elements are strands of plastic material (ES) formed in bundles or other groupings. The yarn groups are fastened to the head either before or after the formation of the toothbrush handle.

Various attempts have been made to provide flexibility in the manner in which the bristles are attached. Several approaches have also been taken where the surface carrying bristles of the head is not flat. U.S. Patent No. 1,688,581, for example, discloses a toothbrush having a bristle carrying member which is ordinarily arched toward inside in the hollow head. The member carrying bristles can be arched out by manipulating a wire mounted on the toothbrush.

The patent of the United States of America No. 5,483,722 describes a toothbrush with a flexible and elastic bristle support which expands to extensions of mancp parallel and spaced, The different incorporations of the toothbrush include having the support arched inwardly or arched outwardly.

U.S. Patent No. 5,325,560 relates to an orthodontic toothbrush which includes several rows of bristles including longitudinally arranged and centrally located sets of bristles mounted on a flexible member on an air bag.

U.S. Patent No. 5,799,354 discloses a toothbrush of a rocker formation wherein the base sections are joined together by hinge. The toothbrush also includes a hollow space below the base sections.

U.S. Patent No. 5,454,133 discloses a toothbrush having a closed duct system for a non-compressible medium such as a compressed gas which flows down the base members carrying bristles.

U.S. Patent No. 6,088,870 discloses a toothbrush head with bristles flexibly mounted by using a flexible elastic net so that the bristles flex during brushing to conform to various arched surfaces of the teeth.

U.S. Patent No. 2,003,243 issued May 28, 1935 to Campbell et al. Describes blocks containing groups of bristles that are mounted on a flexible wire attached to a rigid toothbrush head (page 1, column 2, lines 45-55).

The flexibility of this mounting wire helps the bristles conform to the shape of the teeth being cleaned.

U.S. Patent No. 2,706,825 issued to Blakeman issued April 26, 1955 discloses a removable bristle holder for a toothbrush which flexes up and down with respect to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush body. teeth. This flexible member changes position. This plus the pressure of the brush against the teeth and the movement of the brush allows the brush to make contact with the teeth in various degrees of conformation (column 2), lines 15-18).

The patent of the United States of America No. 4,520,526 issued to Peters on June 4, 1985 has a flexible section in the handle which allows the head part to move with respect to the handle part of the toothbrush in one plane. This patent suggests that flexibility avoids damaging delicate dental material and gum tissue (column 1 lines 42-44). Similar structures for imparting flexibility to the head of a toothbrush and thus reducing wear on teeth and gums are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,146,645.

Other approaches to flexible assembly of toothbrush cleaning elements are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,355,546 and 5,839,149. In these patents, the head of the toothbrush is placed under the bite surface of the tooth in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the tooth. The head of the brush when oriented so has the short bristles in the middle part of the head which are pushed against the bite surface which causes the longer outer bristles to rotate and make contact with the side of the teeth and the gum line.

U.S. Patent No. 5,987,690 issued November 23, 1999 to Heuler discloses a toothbrush with links between the handle and the head that facilitate deflection of the head so that the ends of free bristles retain the parallel alignment with respect to the handle during use.

The patent of the United States of America No. ^, 003,185 granted on December 21, 1999 describes a Flexible seSfílÓn a toothbrush between the handle and the head to absorb parts of the brush and head to absorb part of the force applied to the user of a toothbrush. Elastic shock absorbent means are inserted in this section to deflect the head into its non-operative position.

U.S. Patent No. 6,141,817 discloses a toothbrush head with a central longitudinal axis that lies below the middle part of the elastic member containing bristles. The central axis limits the deformation of the elastic member. The balance of the head on either side of the central axis is inclined to allow a greater movement of the flexible member, thus causing the outer bristles to extend outwardly. The outward extension is believed to improve the intrusion of the bristles in the crevices (column 2 rows 40-46).

European Patent Publication 0 454 625. At the date of October 30, 1991 describes a cam on the handle of a toothbrush that can be used to change the angular orientation of the head with respect to the handle.

Other attempts have been made in the prior art to provide some form of movement of the cleaning elements that are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,228,466 and WO 90/01281 which describe a toothbrush wherein both the handle and the head are longitudinally hinged to provide displaceable bristles which are hung around a row of teeth.

The patent of the United States of America No. 1,616,484 describes a toothbrush which is hinged along the length of the handle so that two spaced head sections can be placed back to back with respect to each other. U.S. Patent No. 1,616,484 discloses a hinged toothbrush that can provide brushing of a tooth from three different directions. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,528,782 and 5,269,083 describe the bristles as being mounted in an oscillating manner. U.S. Patent No. 5,799,354 describes the use of a hollow space to provide a hinge action. The patent of the United States of America No.

No. 1,924,152 discloses a toothbrush having rows of rubber bristles. U.S. Patent No. 301,644 discloses a toothbrush having rows of bristles mounted in rubber tongues.

The United States of America design patent No.421, 843 illustrates a toothbrush in which the bristle-bearing surfaces appear to be non-planar.

U.S. Patent No. 4,244,452 discloses an elastic base toothbrush wherein a bristle carrier plate is mounted on rubber tubes.

A number of patents describe some devices for massaging the teeth and / or the gums having non-planar surfaces. For example, British Patent No. 524,235 relates to a rubber massage device having a hollow rubber head filled with air to provide an air cushion for the gum massage members. U.S. Patent No. 1,058,273 discloses a massage device having an interior air space. U.S. Patent No. 2,148,483 discloses a masseur of teeth and gum and an exerciser which includes a gap filled with air. U.S. Patent No. 2,176,309 also describes a gum masseuse that has airbags .

Hair brushes are also described in several patents having dome-shaped exterior surfaces. Examples of these patents include U.S. Patent Nos. 3,739,419; 4,500,939 and 5,581,840. Similarly, the United States of America design patent No. 892,299 shows a brush for cleaning with a convex-shaped bristle carrying surface.

Synthesis of the Invention An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush head having a dome shape or a carrier surface of trampoline type cleaning elements to provide increased flexibility of the cleaning elements.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush wherein the head is hinged along a linear hinge axis in conjunction with the longitudinal axis of the head.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide such a toothbrush which utilizes the cleaning elements that can be wrapped around the edge of the teeth for simultaneous contact with both the teeth. front and top of the teeth.

A still further object of this invention is to provide manufacturing techniques for making such a toothbrush.

According to one aspect of this invention a toothbrush includes a head in the form of a base having an upright wall to create a peripheral frame. A thin elastic membrane is mounted on the frame with an open space between the membrane and the frame. In its initial condition, when the toothbrush is not being used, the membrane is convex so that its original shape is dome-like. The membrane is able to flex to alter the original shape during use when the cleaning elements carried by the membrane are brushed against the teeth to recover the original shape at random during such use.

Preferably, the cleaning elements are bristles secured to the membrane by a molding technology inside.

In a preferred practice of the invention, the toothbrush head is oval in shape and the membrane is also oval in shape. The membrane is convex in both longitudinal and transverse directions.

According to another aspect, this invention provides a simplified and effective way to obtain the desired flexibility in the head and in the handle. Like a trampoline, at least the part of the head that carries the bristles is constructed to allow a phase of formation of the bristles in use, which improves the contact with and the cleaning of the teeth. The pressure against the bristles against the teeth causes the head to flex along with the bristles but the flexible head is designed to return to its original position once the pressure on the bristles is aliiada. Durne the transition from a heavy pressure to no pressure on the handle, the bristles remain in constant contact with the brush due to the flexibility built into the toothbrush head.

According to another aspect of this invention, the toothbrush head has a column which extends linearly together with the longitudinal axis of the head thereby dividing the head into a pair of longitudinal sections from side to side connected to each other. the spine. The column forms a hinge axis made of an elastic material which serves as a spring, to allow the sections to move from an original position and towards it in response to contact with the teeth.

In a preferred practice of this aspect of the invention side-by-side sections may also include a flexible and soft material. Preferably, the cleaning elements on each section include an outer set of cleaning elements of a longer length than an inner set. The outer cleaning elements can function as plate removal bristles which are of sufficient length to extend partially along the tooth while the internal cleaning elements brush against the tooth. The end surfaces of the interior sets of the cleaning elements preferably form an obtuse angle from the two sets of interior cleaning elements of the sections from side to side to maximize contact with the teeth when the sections are in their original position. During use the brush head is pressed against the edge of the teeth thus causing the flexible hinge to open and close during cleaning.

The drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 1-2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 3 along line 4-4; Figure 5 is a front elevational view of an electric toothbrush in accordance with this invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a toothbrush which. has elastic areas on the head and on the handle to allow the deflection of the brush, of the bristles and the handle for better cleaning of the teeth and control in accordance with a further embodiment of this invention; Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a top plane view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 6-7; Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of Figure 6 showing deflection in the open area under the bristles and the handle area; Fig. 10 is a top plan view of an electric toothbrush according to an embodiment of Figs. 6-9 of this invention; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a toothbrush formed in accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention; Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a top plane view of the toothbrush shown in Figures 11-12; Fig. 14 is an elevated end view of the toothbrush shown in Figs. 11-13 in its original closed position; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken through Figure 13 along line 15-15, but with the head of the brush in its hinged open position and emitting some of the cleaning elements; Y Figure 16 is a front elevated view of an elliptical toothbrush according to the embodiment of Figures 11-15 of this invention.

Detailed description Figures 1-4 illustrate a toothbrush 10 according to an embodiment of this invention. As shown here the toothbrush 10 includes a handle 12 and a head 1 The handle 12 may include a suitable grip pad 16 made of an elastomer material. The invention, however, is primarily directed to the structure of the head 1. As shown in Fig. 4 the head 14 has a base part 18 with an upright wall 20 to create a peripheral frame extending outwardly above the base part 18. In accordance with this invention it is fastened on the membrane 22 the frame 20 completely along its periphery. The membrane 22 in its initial non-use condition is convex or arcuate outwardly as best shown in the figure. The convex arc will preferably be in both longitudinal and transverse directions thus having an outer dome surface 24 to which the cleaning elements 26 are connected.

The invention in all embodiments is particularly suitable for cleaning the elements in the form of joined threads or bristles in molding technology (IMT) methods which generally require small cross sections of material within which the wires are permanently attached. The threads using the IMT methods are preferably held during the formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during the formation of the head which is the part of the toothbrush to which the threads or other materials are attached. A key feature of the invention of Figures 1-4 and Figure 5 is the use of a thin cross section of material for the membrane 22. The membrane 22 is flexible and elastic. The cross section shown, for example, in Figure 4 is formed as a crescent moon thus representing a dome-like shape.

Due to the open space 28 between the band portion 28 and the membrane 22 the membrane will move from its original dome-like shape which will be distorted in other ways by contacting the cleaning elements or bristles with the teeth 26. both dome 22 has a thin membrane of material or material combinations that can flex to alter its original shape and recover its original random shape during brushing. The bristles 26 are attached to the flexible dome and move accordingly, creating a random topology and by doing this the cleaning of the teeth is improved. The mobile bristle yarns have more degrees of movement than other toothbrushes and therefore represent a unique and different tooth brushing device.

In the illustrated embodiment of this invention the head 14 is generally oval in shape and the membrane 22 has a corresponding oval shape. See figure 3.

Any suitable form of the cleaning elements can be used as the cleaning elements 26 in the broad practice of this invention. The term "'elements of "cleaning" is intended to be used in a generic sense which may include massage elements or bristles of conventional fibers or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight parts or sinusoidal parts Where the bristles are used, the bristles can be mounted on the bundle blocks or sections by extending them through the appropriate openings in the bundle blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted inside or below the block of bundles and below the membrane 22.

It will be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for example purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different configurations of cleaning elements (such as bristles of molding technology inside or stapling, anchor-free technology (AFT), etc.) and / or with the same materials of cleaning element or bristles (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc. Similarly, even when Figure 2 illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface 24 to the membrane 22 or at the head 14 some or all of the cleaning elements can be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of the head 14. It is therefore possible to select the combination of the cleaning element configurations, guidance materials to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, improved cleaning teeth polish, teeth whitening, and / or gum massage.

Preferably, however, the cleaning elements 26 are IMT bristles since the IMT bristles require small cross sections of material within which the yarns are clamped and the membrane 22 in the preferred practice of the invention has a small cross section.

Although Figures 1-3 illustrate the membrane 22 generally occupying the complete head 14, the invention can be practiced where the head 14 is of a sufficient size so that this can include other carrier surfaces of bristles adjacent to the membrane in a form of dome 22.

Although Figures 1-4 illustrate a manually operated toothbrush, the invention can also be practiced wherein the head includes one or more movable sections electrically operated or energized carrying the cleaning elements. Such a movable section may oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head or it can oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section can oscillate inwardly and outwardly in an inward and outward direction of the outer surface of the head. The movable section can oscillate back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The mobile section can rotate continuously in the same direction rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism can be used to impart the desired movement to the mobile section. Where plural mobile sections are used, all moving sections can have the same type and direction of movement or combinations of different movements can be used.

Figure 5 illustrates a toothbrush 10A which includes a movable section or disk driven with intensity 30 having cleaning elements. The movable section 30 can be rotationally oscillated such as by using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,625,916 or it can be moved in and out using the type of actuator mechanism shown in the patent of United States of America Re-issue No. 35,941, all the details of both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively, the other types of drives mentioned above can section 30 in other ways and addresses. Although Figure 5 shows the movable section 30 being at the distal end of the head, the movable section or sections may be located at any desired location on the head.

The handle 12, the base 18 and the frame 20 are preferably made of hard plastic materials which are used for the manual toothbrushes. As noted, however, a feature of the dome-shaped membrane 22 is that it is made of a flexible elastic material such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original position and then being returned to that original position.

The membrane 22 can be secured to the frame 20 in any suitable manner. Thus, for example, the frame 20 includes inwardly inclined surfaces for receiving the membrane 22. Other structural arrangements can be used within the practice of this invention to mount the membrane 22 on the head 14.

Figures 6-9 illustrate a manual toothbrush 10 according to another embodiment of this invention. This is a variation of the previous embodiment using a trampoline type structure to achieve an up and down movement. As shown there, the toothbrush 110 includes a handle 112 and a head 11. The handle 112 can include a suitable area 116 made of an elastomeric material. This elastomeric part of the handle is preferably molded with an open area 118 which is 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) will yield under the pressure of the user's fingers to provide a better grip of the handle while providing a more comfortable feel with respect to the mango. Figure 9 illustrates this elastomeric part 116 of handle 112 in a depressed state. The down arrow in this figure represents the pressure applied by the user of the toothbrush. The open area 118 is therefore minimized. As soon as the pressure is released, the properties of the elastomeric part 116 of the handle 112 return the elastomeric material 116 to its original shape illustrated in Figure 6.

A similar flexible deformable open area 120 is created in the head by the inclusion of an elastomeric part 122 in the open area lying on the head 120. The cleaning elements 124 are arranged in the elastomeric part of the head and fastened thereto. by known methods including molding technology (IMT). The clamping of the bristles using the IMT methods preferably occurs during the formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during the formation of the elastomeric part 122 of the head 114.

In use, the application of pressure by the user of the toothbrush causes a similar pressure of the teeth against the cleaning elements 124 as illustrated by the arrow in Figure 9. This causes the deflection of the elastomeric part 122. of the head 114 which in turn causes the reorientation of the cleaning elements with respect to the teeth that are being cleaned. As the pressure of the user is reduced, the open area 120 of the head 114 opens making the cleaning elements follow the shape of the teeth being brushed and therefore The cleaning of the teeth is improved. When all the pressure of the user is released, the open area 120 returns to its original shape.

The elastomeric part 122 of the head 114 must be a material or combinations of material that can flex to alter its original shape and recover to its original random shape during brushing. The cleaning elements, for example, the bristles, are attached to the flexible membrane creating a flexible orientation of the cleaning elements 124 which improves the cleaning of the teeth. The mobile bristle threads have considerable degrees of movement and therefore provide a unique tooth brushing experience.

Any suitable form of cleaning elements can be used as the cleaning elements 124 in the broad practice of this invention, as discussed with the embodiments of Figures 1-5. It should be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for example purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as bristles of in-stall or molding technology, AFT, etc.) and / or with the same cleaning element materials or bristles (such as such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, even when Figures 7 and 9 illustrate the cleaning elements being generally perpendicular to the elastomeric part 122 of the head 114, some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles. It is therefore possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, such as increased cleaning, polishing of teeth, bleaching of teeth and / or the massage of the gums.

Parts of the handle 112 and the head 114 can be made of a hard plastic material which is used for manual toothbrushes. As noted, however, a feature of this toothbrush is the use of the elastomeric portions 116 of the handle and / or the elastomeric part 122 of the head 114, such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original position and then return to your position original This invention can also be practiced in where the head 114 includes a Q s mobile electrically operated or powered sections carried by the cleaning elements.

Figure 10 illustrates a toothbrush 110a which includes a movable driven section or disk 150 having cleaning elements. The movable section 150 may be similar to the section 30 of Figure 5. Although Figure 10 shows a movable section 150 as being at one end of the head, as with Figure 5, the moving section or sections may be located at any desired place on the head.

In another embodiment of this invention a toothbrush includes a longitudinally spaced head in side-by-side areas by means of a flexible hinge structure that serves as a spring to return the brush head materials and cleaning areas to their position original. Figures 11-13 illustrate a toothbrush 210 which includes an elongate handle 212 and a head 214. A portion of the handle 212 can be recessed in a grip area 216 between the shoulders 218 and 220. The shoulder 218 can extend toward outside for a sufficient distance to act as a hook or shelf to facilitate the hanging of the brush of teeth in an inverted condition.

The head 214 and the handle 212 are elongated and have a longitudinal axis. Corao was shown in figures 1¾ and 15 the head 214 includes a column 220 which extends linearly together with the main or longitudinal axis of the handle and the head of the toothbrush. As a result, head 214 is separated into two side-by-side longitudinal sections 224 and 226 connected to column 222. Column 222 is made of an elastic material such as an elastomer which is flexible enough to be able to move and even return to its original position. As a result, column 222 functions as a hinge axis whereby side-by-side sections 224 and 226 can be moved or pivoted about the column away from the original position shown in Figure 14 to an open position as shown in figure 15 when the cleaning elements on the sections 224 and 226 make contact with the teeth. These sections 224 and 225 return to their original position under the influence of the elastic hinge or column 222. Preferably the hinge or column 222 is confined to the head 214.

As illustrated, each of sections 224 and 226 includes sets of cleaning elements. For example, an outer set of cleaning elements 228 is located on the outer periphery of each section 224 and 226 while an inner set of cleaning elements 230 is located more near the column 222. Preferably, the end surfaces 232 of the interior cleansing elements 230 are tapered towards the hinge axis 222 so that the adjacent terminal ends 232 of each interior set of the Cleaning elements form an obtuse angle as indicated by the letter A in figure 14 when the head of the brush is in its original position.

The outer sets of the cleaning elements 228 extend outwardly a greater distance from the outer surface of the sections than do the interior cleaning elements 230. As a result, the combined cleaning elements are designed to wrap around from the edge of the teeth for simultaneous possible contact with both the front and back of the teeth. See figure 1. During use the brush head is pressed against the edge of the teeth causing the flexible hinge to open and close during cleaning.

As illustrated in Figures 11-13 in a preferred practice of the invention, the outer sets of the cleaning elements 228 are bunches of bristle bristles. The interior sets of the cleaning elements 230 can be bristles formed by the technology molded inside (IMT) where the sets of bristles are melted together at one end and the molten end is inserted into a cavity of mold during the manufacture of the head.

Figure 15 shows the sections 224 and 226 in their open position. Figure 15 omits some of the Elements of the name ?????? to provide a better understanding of how the cleaning elements are mounted.

As shown there, the plate bristles 228 are in the form of bunches of bristles or sets inserted in individual holes 234 in a bristle container 236. The inside sets of the cleaning elements 230 are IMT bristles mounted in an IMT 238 vessel. The IMT containers 238 can be made of a flexible and soft elastomer material integrated in the hinge axis 222, as shown in Figure 15.

As shown in Figures 11-13 the bristle container 236 does not extend completely to the distal end of the head 214. Thus, the side plates 240 are provided on each side of the head longitudinally against the containers of bristles 236 and placed against the containers 238 by the remaining length of the containers 238 so that a smooth contour results along the side of the head 214. The side plates 240 can also be made into a flexible and soft elastomer material.

As best shown in Figures 11-12 each Internal bristle row IMT 230 has spaced and spaced or stepped bristles so that the inclined IMT bristles of each section can fit between the spaces of the adjacent IMT bristles of the other section.

Although FIGS. 11-15 illustrate one form of preferred cleaning elements for making plate bristles and IMT bristles, any suitable form of cleaning elements can be used as the cleaning elements 228 and 230 as previously described. Thus, the term "cleaning elements" is intended to be used in a generic sense which may include massage elements or conventional fiber bristles or other forms of cleaning elements such as the elastomeric fingers or the walls arranged in a form circular cross section or any type of desired shape including straight parts or sinusoidal parts. Where the bristles are used, the bristles can be assembled into bundle blocks or sections by extending through the appropriate openings in the bundle blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted inside or under the bundle of bristles. .

Similarly, it should be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for example purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as IMT bristles or stapled AFT, etc.) and / or with the same materials as cleaning elements or bristles (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). In a similar manner even when Figure 12 illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the hinge 214 some or all of the cleaning elements can be at angles at various angles to the outer surface of the head 214. It is therefore possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, such as Improved cleaning, polishing of the teeth, whitening of the teeth and / or massage of the gums.

The handle 212 can be made of a conventional hard plastic material which can, however, include a soft elastomer section 242 near the head 214. The bristle containers 236, 236 can also be made of hard plastic material while the side plants 240 and IMT 238 containers are made of a soft elastomer material. By having the bristle containers 238 mounted against the IMT containers 238, the bristle containers 236 and their cleaning elements 228 move together with the movement of the IMT containers 238 in response to the IMT 230 bristles making contact with the teeth. If desired, the bristle containers 236 can also be made of a soft elastomer material.

Although Figures 11-13 illustrate a manually operated toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced wherein the head includes one or more movable sections electrically operated or energized carrying cleaning elements. Figure 6 illustrates a toothbrush 210 which includes an electrically driven movable section or disk 250 having the elements of cleaning, similar to the movable sections of tooth brushes 10A and 110A.

Claims

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head secured to said handle, said head being in the form of a base having an erect wall to create a peripheral frame, a thin elastic membrane having a periphery mounted on said frame to create a space open between said membrane and said base, the wall has a mounting surface to receive the periphery of the flexible elastic membrane and to enclose the open space inside the head, said membrane has an initial condition of non-use, said membrane in said condition initial is convex to have an original dome-like shape, at least one cleaning element on said membrane extending outward from the head, and said membrane is capable of flexing to alter said original shape during the use of said toothbrush and then recovering said original random form during the use of said toothbrush.

2. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that at least one cleaning element comprises bristles secured to said membrane by means of molding technology inside.

3. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said head is generally oval in shape, and the membrane is generally of oval shape.

4. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that said membrane is convex in both its transverse and longitudinal directions.

5. In a method for making a toothbrush comprising forming a head with a base part having an upright wall to create a frame including a peripheral mounting surface on the wall and a handle attached to the head; mounting a bristle carrying surface to the frame to be fastened to the peripheral mounting surface where the bristle carrying surface is a dome-shaped membrane made of a flexible elastic material, securing the dome-shaped membrane to the mounting surface peripheral wall so that an open space is provided under the membrane, and hold the bristles to the membrane by a technology of molding inside.

6. The method as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the bristles are fastened to the membrane and the membrane is fastened to the head before forming the handle.

7. The method as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the bristles are attached to the membrane and the membrane is attached to the head after the mango formation

8. The method as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the bristles are clamped to the membrane during the formation of the handle.

9. A toothbrush comprising handle and head parts, at least one of said parts contains an open area partially enclosed with elastomeric material, said elastomeric material having a portion extending from said open area inside said head part, said material being easily deflected within the open area and in the extended part to alter its original orientation during the use of said toothbrush and then recovered to assume its original orientation after the use of said toothbrush; said head part has cleaning elements on said elastomeric material in said open area and in said extended part.

10. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said head part contains cleaning elements secured to the elastomeric material by molding technology inside.

11. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said handle includes an open area at least partially enclosed by said elastomeric material, said material being flexed in said open area of said handle.

12. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that said cleaning elements are bunches of bristles.

13. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that a section of the toothbrush includes electric cleaning elements,

14. A method for making a toothbrush comprising: forming a head and a handle attached to the head; wherein a part of the head includes an open area surrounded in part by elastomeric material, said elastomeric material having a portion extending from said open area within said head, said material being easily reflected in the open area and in the extended part Y; fastening the cleaning elements to the elastomeric material in said open area and in the extended part by molding technology inside.

15. The method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the cleaning elements are fastened to the elastomeric material during the formation of the handle.

16. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head mounted on said handle, said head having a longitudinal axis, a column extending jointly linear with said longitudinal axis dividing said head into a pair of longitudinal sections from side to side connected to said column, said column being confined to said head as a plurality of cleaning elements on each of the sections extending outwardly from said sections in a direction away from said longitudinal axis, and said column forming a hinge axis made of a elastic material for comprising a spring-type hinge whereby said sections can pivot from and to an original position.

17. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that each of said side-by-side sections includes an inner set of cleaning elements and an outer set of cleaning elements.

18. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that the terminal ends of said interior sets of cleaning elements are tapered towards said hinge axis.

19. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said terminal ends of said interior sets of the cleaning elements form an obtuse angle with respect to each other.

20. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said outer sets of cleaning elements are longer than said inner sets of the cleaning elements.

21. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said inner set of the cleaning elements have spacings spaced apart in each inner set, and said spacings in said sets are off-centered with respect to each other to create a pattern stepped.

22. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said outer sets of cleaning elements are plate bristles mounted in a single row.

23. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said inner sets of cleaning elements are IMT bristles.

24. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that said IMT bristles of each set are mounted in an IMT vessel extending towards the far end of said head, and said plate bristles of each set are mounted in a bristle vessel positioned along the side of and connected to said IMT vessel for each of said sections, said IMT containers extend much further from said handle than said bristle containers, and said side plate longitudinally abutted with each of the bristle containers and placed against the IMT vessel by the remaining length of said IMT container over each of said sections to create a continuous and smooth outer side surface of said head in each of said sections.

25. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that said IMT containers are made of a flexible material.

26. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that said side plates are made of a flexible material.

27. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that said IMT containers are integrated with said column, and said bristle containers are made of a hard plastic material.

28. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that said inner set of cleaning elements are mounted in an inner container, and said outer set of cleaning elements is mounted in an outer container placed along the side of and connected to said inner container.

29. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 28, characterized in that said inner containers are made of a flexible material integrated with the column.

30. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 28, characterized in that said inner containers extend outwardly from said handle by a greater distance than said outer containers, and each of said sections has said plate longitudinally abutting said container outer and placed against said outer container for the remaining length of said inner container to create a continuous and smooth exterior lateral surface of said head in each of said sections.

31. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that said handle includes a recessed grip portion.

32. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said longitudinal sections from side to side form an obtuse angle with respect to each other in said original position.

33. The toothbrush as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the surface of the wall is inclined inwards. SUMMARY A toothbrush includes a head having a bristle carrier surface formed of a flexible and thin dome-shaped membrane. An air space is located between the base of the head and the membrane so that the membrane may be able to flex to alter its shape during use and then reassume its original shape. In a second embodiment, the head and / or handle have elastomeric portions at least partially surrounding an open area. These parts are easily deflectable under pressure during use to improve the handling of the toothbrush and the orientation of the cleaning elements. Alternatively, the toothbrush includes a longitudinal hinge of colinear spring-like type with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head so as to separate the head into a pair of side-by-side longitudinal sections having cleaning elements that extend wherein the hinge pushes the sections back to their original position after the hinge has been opened as a result of the cleaning elements that make contact with the teeth.