MXPA99004793A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothbrush (10) having a handle (12) and a plurality of tufts of bristles (26) secured to the head (14). One of the tufts is secured to the head (14) at a location such that no other tuft is secured to the head at a location that is more distal from the handle (12) than the location where the one tuft is secured to the head (14). The one tuft is angled by about 81 degrees or less relative to an imaginary line which is tangent to a co-planar with a surface of the head through which the one tuft secured to the head (14). The one tuft is tilted away from the handle (12) towards a direction along which the head (14) extends from the handle (12).

Description

TOOTHBRUSH Description of the invention - The invention is generally concerned with the field of oral care and in particular with toothbrushes. More particularly, the invention is concerned with tooth brushes having a three-dimensional bristle profile to provide improved cleansing of the interproximal and marginal gingival regions of the teeth. Brushing and flossing are fundamental steps to obtain good oral hygiene. The practice of flossing, unfortunately, has not been widely accepted among the general public, although it is recognized that the application of dental floss is sometimes considered as part of good oral hygiene. In addition, even people who floss often do not perform proper flossing in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Unfortunately, while most commercially available toothbrushes clean the outer face of the teeth appropriately, they fail to provide improved cleaning of plaque and debris from the gingival margin, interproximal areas, lingual surfaces. and other hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.

REF .: 30323 One reason why such toothbrushes do not properly clean the most posterior malaries (for example, wisdom teeth or second molars) is that one or more bundles are secured to the head of the toothbrush in one place more distant from the toothbrush handle are not angular towards a direction along which the head extends from the handle. As such, these bundles or bundles can not be extended far enough beyond the head end of the toothbrush to sufficiently clean the molar teeth in the back of the mouth. Additionally, in those brushes having bristle bundles or bundles that are angular to the handle and other bundles or bundles that are angled away from the handle, all such bundles or bundles are essentially of the same length and have the same cross section . Consequently, while these angular bundles can clean a part of the teeth in a satisfactory manner other parts of the teeth will not be cleaned sufficiently due to the homogeneous length, spacing and cross-section of the bundles. In addition, prior art toothbrushes reveal bundles or bunches of bristles having at most three different types of cross sections. However, there are more than three parts of the teeth that need to be cleaned by a brush (for example, the external buccal face, the gingival margin, the interproximal areas, the lingual surfaces and the posterior molars). As such, the prior art toothbrushes do not provide bunches of a sufficiently varied cross section and specifically sealed to clean all areas of the teeth. The present invention is concerned with overcoming one or more of the problems summarized above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush includes a handle, a head extending from the handle and a plurality of bundles or bundles of bristles secured to the head. One of the bundles is secured to the head in one place in such a way that no other bundle is secured to the head in a place which is more distant from the handle than the place where the bundle is secured to the head. The bundle is angular by approximately 81 degrees or less in relation to an imaginary line that is tangent to or coplanar with a surface of the head through which the bundle is secured to the head. The bunch is tilted away from the handle in a direction along which the head extends from the handle. By making the bundle angular as described in the previous paragraph, the bunch has the possibility of extending beyond the end of the head of the toothbrush and thus cleans the molars in the back of the mouth in a sufficient manner. According to another aspect of the invention, a toothbrush includes a handle, a head extending from the handle and a plurality of bunches of bristles secured to the head. Two of the bundles are each at an acute angle in relation to an imaginary line that is tangent to or coplanar with a surface of the head through which the two bundles are secured to the head. The two bunches have a different characteristic from the other selected from the group of characteristics consisting of length, cross section, color, material and combinations thereof. By providing angular bundles that vary in length, cross section, color, materials or combinations thereof, such angular bundles are allowed to clean more than one part of the teeth. For example, one type of angular bunch will clean the buccal surface of the teeth while another type of angular bundle will clean the interproximal areas of the teeth. According to a third aspect of the invention, the toothbrush includes a handle, a head extending from the handle and a multiplicity of bunches of bristles secured to the head. The multiplicity of bundles includes bundles with at least five different types of cross sections. By providing bundles with at least five types of cross sections, these bundles can clean all areas of the teeth (for example, the external buccal face, gingival margin, interproximal areas, lingual surfaces and posterior posterior molars) appropriately. These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims and by reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a top view of the brush of the teeth of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the toothbrush of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 are partial side views of the head and respective portions of the bunches of the toothbrush of Figure 1;Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of the head of the toothbrush, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 3; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the head and a portion of the handle of the toothbrush of Figure 1. Starting with Figures 1-3, a toothbrush 10 includes a handle portion 12 and a head portion 14 that they extend from the handle in a direction D. The overall length of the toothbrush 10 is preferably approximately 19.6 cm (7.7 inches), while the width of the head 14 in its widest portion is preferably approximately 1.3 cm ( 0.5 inches). A main portion 16 of the handle 12 and the head 14 are made of a unitary piece of polypropylene. The remaining portions of the handle 12, in which the thumb holding portion 18 is included, the optional trademark 24 (preferably approximately 2.1 cm (0.83 inches) in length) and finger holding portion 20 are preferably fabricated of a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably rubber Kraton (a block copolymer filled with hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated oil of styrene and butadiene or isoprene having a Shore A hardness of between about 5 and about 70). The thumb holding portion 18 and a portion of the finger holding portion 20 has a series of seventeen raised ribs 22 that assist in the holding ability of the handle. The ribs 22 are preferably 0.13 cm (0.05 inches) wide. With reference to Figures 3-7, a plurality of bundles 26 of bristles are secured to the head 14 of the toothbrush. Each bunch is composed of a large number of bristles and all the bristles are preferably rounded ends. There are five different types of bunches secured to the head, each type of bundle has a cross section that differs in area and shape from the other bunch types. A first type of bunch, type 28, is composed of bristles formed of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) with an abrasive such as kaolin clay particles mixed throughout the PBT. These bristles are between about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches) to 0.023 cm (0.009 inches) in diameter, preferably 0.018 cm (0.007 inches) in diameter. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is approximately 1.12 cm (0.440 inches). The cross-sectional area of each bundle 28 is approximately 0.241 square cm (0.0373 square inches) which provides a bundle volume measured from the head surface of approximately 0.269 cubic cm (0.0164 cubic inches) (preferably this volume is between approximately 0.246 and 0.295 cubic cm (0.015 and 0.018 cubic inches)). There is only one type of bunch 28 secured to the head 14 and located more distant from the handle 14 than any other bunch. A second type of bunch, type 32, is composed of nylon Indicators ™ type bristles that are formed of nylon 6.12 and blue on their external surface. As is well known in the art, the blue coloration on these bristles is slowly worn out as the brush is used over time to indicate the extent to which the toothbrush is worn. These bristles are between approximately 0.0127 cm (0.005 inches) to 0.023 cm (0.009 inches) in diameter, preferably 0.018 cm (0.007 inches) in diameter. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is approximately 0.889 cm (0.350 inches). The cross-sectional area of each bundle 32 is approximately 0.0290 square cm (0.0045 square inches). As shown in Figure 6, bunches of type 32 have a round cross section. There are between 8 and 12 bunches type 32 secured to the head 14. A third type of bunch, type 34, is composed of bristles formed of PBT with an abrasive such as kaolin clay particles mixed throughout the PBT. These bristles are between approximately 0.013 cm (0.005 inches) to 0.023 cm (0.009 inches) in diameter, preferably 0.018 cm (0.007 inches) in diameter. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is approximately 1.12 cm (0.440 inches). The cross-sectional area of each bundle 34 is approximately 0.0174 square cm (0.0027 square inches). There are between eight and twelve type 34 bunches secured to the head 14. As shown in figure 6, bunches of type 34 are rectangular in shape with rounded ends. A fourth type of bunch, type 36, is composed of bristles formed of PBT with an abrasive such as kaolin clay particles mixed throughout the PBT. These bristles are between about 0.0127 cm (0.005 inches) to 0.023 cm (0.009 inches) in diameter, preferably 0.018 cm (0.007 inches) in diameter. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is approximately 1.12 cm (0.440 inches). The cross sectional area of each bundle 36 is approximately 0.0258 square cm (0.0040 square inches). There are between four and six type 36 bunches secured to the head 14. As shown in Figure 6, type 36 bunches are rectangular in shape with rounded ends and are wider through the head than bunches of type 34. A fifth and final bunch type, type 38, is composed of PBT-formed bristles with an abrasive such as kaolin clay particles mixed throughout the PBT. These bristles are between about 0.013- cm (0.005 inches) to 0.023 cm (0.009 inches) in diameter, preferably 0.015 cm (0.006 inches) in diameter. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is approximately 0.889 cm (0.350 inches). The cross sectional area of each bundle 38 is approximately 0.0542 square cm (0.0084 square inches). There are between four and six type 38 bunches secured to the head 14. As shown in figure 6, the bunches of type 36 are rectangular in shape with rounded ends and are wider than bunches of type 36. Based on the areas cross section of the various bundles described above, the bunch type 28 has a cross section that is more than four times as large as any other bundle secured to the head 14. Although specific materials are described above of which the bristles of each bundle they are elaborated, other materials can be used. As such, any of the bristles attached to the head 14 could be made of for example, PBT with, or without an abrasive such as kaolin clay, nylon 6.12 with or without an abrasive or nylon Indicator ™ material, with or without a abrasive.

Additionally, bristles in a bundle and between bundles may have lengths, diameters, cross-sectional shapes, cross-sectional areas, varying colors and may be made from different materials. • As best seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5 and seven, all bundles in the head 14 are angular either towards the D direction or towards the opposite direction of the D direction by preferably less than about 81 degrees, more preferably between about 69 degrees to about 81 degrees and more preferably about 75 degrees, relative to an imaginary straight line 40 which is tangent to the surface 30 of the head 14. If the surface 30 were flat instead of curved then line 40 would be coplanar with the surface 30. Two external rows of bundles 42 are angular towards the direction D away from the handle 12. An internal row of bundles 44 are angular in the opposite direction D towards the handle 12 with the exception of the large bunch 28 which is inclined towards the direction D away from the handle 12. The toothbrush 10 can be manufactured by the following process which is generally understood by those experienced in The technique. Each of the bunches of bristles are formed by gathering a desired quantity of bristles of a selected material, selected length and diameter. Then, the bunches are inserted into the openings in part of a mold of an injection molding machine. One end of the bundle which is or will be projected into the mold cavity is then fused to join the bristles together into a mass or molten ball at the end of the bundle. The part of the mold carrying the bundles is then joined to another portion of the mold which together defines a cavity used to form the main portion 16 of the toothbrush. The melts of the bunches are located just inside the cavity. Polypropylene is then injected into the cavity to form portion 16 of the toothbrush 10. Then, the polypropylene is cooled to the point at which the partially finished toothbrush is transferred to a second injection molding station. The cooled, hardened polypropylene secures the melts of the bundles to the toothbrush head 14. In the second molding station the partially finished brush is placed in a second mold having cavities to form the thumb holding portion 18, the trademark 24 and the finger holding portion 20. Then, a thermoplastic elastomer is injected into the mold after which the elastomer is cooled and the finished toothbrush 10 is removed from the mold. Then, the toothbrush is packed. It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers.

Claims (30)

1. Claims The invention having been described as above, the property contained in the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A toothbrush, characterized in that it comprises: a handle; a head that extends from the handle; and a plurality of bunches of bristles secured to the head, one of the bunches is secured to the head at a site in such a way that no other bunch is secured to the head at a site which is more distant from the handle than the site at where the bunch is secured to the head, the bunch is angular by about 81 degrees or less in relation to an imaginary line that is tangent to or coplanar with a surface of the head through which the bunch is secured to the head, the bunch is tilted away from the handle in a direction along which the head extends from the handle. The toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the bundle is angular between about 69 to about 81 degrees from the imaginary line. 3. The toothbrush according to claim 2, characterized in that the bundle - is angular by approximately 75 degrees from the imaginary line. 4. The toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of bundles includes the bundle and at least two of the other bundles, the other two bundles are angular in relation to the imaginary line, the other two bundles have lengths different when measured from the surface. 5. The toothbrush according to claim 4, characterized in that the two other bundles differ in length by approximately 0.229 cm (0.090 inches). The dental brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of bundles includes the bunch and at least two of other bundles, the other two bundles are angular in relation to the imaginary line, the other two bundles have cross sections different The toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross sections differ in shape. 8. The toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross sections differ in area. 9. The toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the bundle is at least four times as large as the cross-sectional area of any other bundle secured to the head. The toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that no other bundle is secured to the head at a site which is as far from the handle as the site where the bundle is secured at the head. 11. A toothbrush, characterized in that it comprises: a handle; a head that extends from the handle; and a plurality of bunches of bristles secured to the head two of the bunches, are each at an acute angle in relation to an imaginary line that is tangent to or coplanar with a surface of the head through which the two bunches are secured at the head, the two bunches have a different characteristic from each other, selected from the group of characteristics consisting of length, cross section, color, material and combinations thereof. 12. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that the characteristic is the length and the difference in length between the two bundles is approximately 0.229 cm (0.090 inches). 13. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that the characteristic is the cross section and the cross sections differ in area. 14. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that the characteristic is the cross section and the cross sections differ in shape. 15. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises: a third bundle, the third bundle is secured to the head at a site in such a way that no other bundle is secured to the head at a site which is more distant from the handle than the site at the third bundle. Bunch is secured to the head. 16. The toothbrush according to claim 15, characterized in that the third bundle is angular between about 69 to about 81 degrees of the imaginary line. 17. The toothbrush according to claim 16, characterized in that the third bundle is angular by approximately 75 degrees of the imaginary line. 18. The toothbrush according to claim 15, characterized in that the cross-sectional area --- of the third bundle is at least four times as large as the cross-sectional area of any other bundle secured to the head. 19. The toothbrush according to claim 15, characterized in that no other bundle is secured to the head at a site which is as far from the handle as the site where the third bundle is secured to the head. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that the two bundles are angular towards substantially opposite directions, one of the bundles is angular towards the handle and the other bundle is angular at a distance from the handle. 21. A toothbrush, characterized in that it comprises: a handle; a head that extends from the handle; and a multiplicity of bunches of bristles secured to the head, the multiplicity of bunches includes bunches with at least five different types of cross sections. 22. The toothbrush according to claim 21, characterized in that the cross sections differ in area. 23. The toothbrush according to claim 21, characterized in that the cross sections differ in shape. The toothbrush according to claim 15, characterized in that the third bundle is angular by approximately 81 degrees or less in relation to the imaginary line and inclined away from the handle toward a general direction from which the head extends from the handle. 25. The toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more of the bristles has a characteristic that is different from the other bristles, the characteristic is selected from the group consisting of length, diameter, sectional area cross section, cross section shape, color, material and combinations thereof. 26. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that one or more of the bristles has a feature that is different from the other bristles, the feature is selected from the group consisting of length, diameter, sectional area cross section, cross section shape, color, material and combinations thereof. 27. The toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the bundle has a volume of bunch or bundle measured from the surface of the head of between about 0.246 cubic cm and 0.295 cubic cm (0.015 and 0.018 cubic inches). 28. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that the two bundles are angular towards substantially the same direction. 29. The toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that the two bundles are angular between about 69 to about 81 degrees of the imaginary line. 30. The toothbrush according to claim 29, characterized in that the two bundles are angular for approximately 75 degrees of the imaginary line.