TW201446218A - Oral care implement and method of manufacturing an oral care implement - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an oral care implement, comprises: (a) providing a head and a first part of a handle connected to the head, the first part having a first surface; (b) providing the head with at least one cleaning element; and (c) attaching a second part of the handle to the first part of the handle, which second part has a second surface and houses an assembly comprising a timer and a user-notification device that is configured to output a notification in dependence on a state of the timer, so that the first part is connected to the head at a distal end of the handle, the second part defines a proximal end of the handle, and the first and second surfaces together define an exterior surface of the handle.

Description

Oral health care appliance and method of manufacturing the same

The present invention relates to an oral health care appliance and a method of manufacturing the same.

Many people use oral health appliances, especially toothbrushes, every day. A typical oral health care device includes an elongated handle and a head attached to one end of the handle. The handle provides a structure for the user to hold and manipulate the oral care implement during use. The head typically includes one or more elements designed to perform the desired function, such as a denture element, a soft tissue cleaning element, and/or an oral care agent.

The effectiveness of oral care appliances in cleaning teeth, soft tissue surfaces, or other desired functions (or several) is often dependent on the duration of use during oral care. The user of the oral care appliance may not record how long the oral care implement has been used during oral care, or may not be aware of the desirable advice or appropriate duration of oral care that should be used during any oral care to achieve the desired result or effect.

Over the years, efforts have been made to provide oral health appliances having systems for indicating how long the user has used the appliance during oral care or how long it should continue to be used during oral care. These efforts include the development of a toothbrush having a transparent grip with an inner chamber housing the illumination member, the illumination of which is controlled by a timing circuit. A flexible grip that houses the timing circuit, the switch that activates the timing circuit, and the power supply for the timing circuit and the illumination member is coupled to the end of the handle.

Despite these efforts, there is still a need to have instructions to indicate to the user A system of oral health care devices that takes into account that the portion of the handle that is intended to be held is more compact and/or designed to be more ergonomically gripped. There is also no need for an oral health appliance that has a more robust system for indicating the elapsed time to the user. There is no need for an oral health appliance that has a system for indicating the elapsed time to the user, which appliance is easier to manufacture or assemble.

A first aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing an oral health care appliance, The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first part of a head and a handle connected to the head, the first part having a first surface; (b) providing the head having at least one cleaning element; (c) attaching a second component of the handle to the first component of the handle, the second component having a second surface and receiving an assembly including a timer and a user notification device, the use The notification device is configured to output a notification dependent on the state of the timer such that the first component is coupled to the head at a distal end of the handle, the second component defines a proximal end of the handle, and the The first and the second surface together define an outer surface of the handle.

Step (b) precedes step (c) as needed. Alternatively, step (c) precedes step (b), Or steps (b) and (c) are performed simultaneously.

Preferably, the method includes the step of inserting at least a portion of the assembly into a cavity of the second member of the handle prior to step (c).

The assembly can include the timer and a printed circuit board on which the user notification device is mounted. The step of inserting can include inserting the printed circuit board into the cavity of the second component of the handle such that the printed circuit board falls into a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool.

The cavity of the assembly and the second component is shaped to prevent the assembly from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the appliance for the second component, as desired.

Optionally, the assembly includes one or more elements that prevent movement of the assembly relative to the second component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the appliance. The method can include: The step of positioning the assembly in the cavity, and prior to step (c), the step of installing the one or more components to the assembly. The step of mounting the one or more components can include soldering or adhering the one or more components to a portion of the assembly.

Preferably, step (c) comprises: causing one or more electrically-conductive contacts of the assembly to each contact one or more electrically conductive contact surfaces of the first component.

As used herein, the term "surface contact" means that two or more elements that are in contact are not bonded together or otherwise, but are merely in contact with one another.

The method can include providing a power source and a motor connectable to the power source. Optionally, the method includes configuring at least one of the power source and the motor in the first component. The method can include configuring the power source between the motor and the assembly. The method can include electrically connecting the motor and the assembly to the power source. The method can include electrically connecting the motor and the assembly in parallel to the power source. The power supply can be composed of one, two or more battery packs or batteries.

Preferably, step (c) includes contacting a conductive contact of the assembly with a power supply surface disposed in a chamber of the first component.

Step (c) may include attaching the second component to the first component by one or more of the following methods: adhering, welding, and joining the various mechanical components of the first and second components.

Step (c) may include detachably coupling the second component to the first component. Optionally, step (c) includes providing a seal or gasket at the interface of the first component and the second component.

Preferably, the second component is transparent or translucent. The first component is opaque as needed.

The oral care implement comprises a toothbrush as needed.

A second aspect of the invention provides an oral health care appliance comprising: carrying a head of the at least one cleaning element; and a handle having a distal end, a proximal end, a first component, and a second component attached to the first component, wherein the first surface of the first component and the second A second surface of the component together defines an outer surface of the handle; wherein the first component is coupled to the head at a distal end of the handle and the second component defines the proximal end of the handle; and wherein the second component The component houses an assembly including a timer and a user notification device configured to output a notification dependent on the status of the timer.

The assembly includes the timer and the user notification device mounted thereon as needed On a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board falls in a plane parallel to one of the longitudinal axes of the appliance, as desired.

Preferably, at least a portion of the assembly is located in a cavity of the second component. More preferably, the cavity of the assembly and the second member is shaped to prevent the assembly from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the tool for the second member. At least a portion of the assembly can be located in a cavity of the second component, and the assembly can include the cavity being configured to prevent the assembly from being longitudinal with respect to the second component relative to the second component One or more elements of the component's motion in the direction parallel to the axis.

Preferably, the assembly includes one or more conductive connections to each of the first components One or more conductive contacts in contact with the surface.

The appliance includes a power source and a motor connectable to the power source, as desired. The At least one of a power source and the motor can be disposed in the first component. The power source can be disposed between the motor and the assembly. The motor and the assembly are electrically connectable to the power source. The motor and the assembly are electrically connectable to the power source in parallel. The power supply can be composed of one, two or more battery packs or batteries.

The assembly includes one of the chambers disposed in one of the first components, as needed A conductive contact in contact with the source surface.

The second component can be attached to the first component by one or more of the following methods: an adhesive, a weld bond, and respective engagement mechanical components of the first and second components.

The second component is detachably coupled to the first component. A seal or gasket may be provided at the interface of the first component and the second component.

Preferably, the second component is transparent or translucent. The second part is made of styrene-acrylonitrile resin (SAN) as needed. The first component is opaque as needed.

The assembly includes a controller, such as a microcontroller, as needed. The controller can have a device including at least one processor and at least one memory containing a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to cause the device to be traceable by the at least one processor (track time).

The timer can be configured such that the state of the timer can change over time, and the user notification device can be configured to output a first predetermined notification when the timer is in the first state, and The second predetermined notification is output when the timer is in the second state. Preferably, the form of the second predetermined notification is different from the first predetermined notification. The duration, pattern or frequency of the second predetermined notification may be different from the first predetermined notification.

Preferably, the user notification device includes a device configured to output a notification (or plurality) by emitting visible light. The device can include at least one light emitting diode (LED).

The user notification device is configured to output a predetermined notification dependent on the status of the power source, as desired.

Preferably, a majority of the outer surface of the handle is defined by the first surface of the first component. The second component can include a cap attached to the first component.

The oral care implement comprises a toothbrush as needed.

A third aspect of the invention provides a component kit for an oral health care appliance, the component kit comprising: a head carrying at least one cleaning element; a first component of the handle, the first component being coupled to the head And having a first surface; and a second component of the handle, the second portion The device has a second surface and houses an assembly including a timer and a user notification device, the user notification device being configured to output a notification dependent on the status of the timer; wherein the second component is attachable To the first component such that the first component is coupled to the head at a distal end of the handle, the second component defines a proximal end of the handle, and the first surface and the second surface together define the handle The outer surface.

The second component is detachably coupled to the first component.

The kit of components may have any of the above-described desirable features of the oral health appliance of the second aspect of the invention.

10‧‧‧ components

20‧‧‧ components

100‧‧‧ oral health appliances

101‧‧‧ proximal end

102‧‧‧ distal

110‧‧‧Support

120‧‧‧Handle

121‧‧‧ Near end

122‧‧‧ distal

123‧‧‧ Parts

123a‧‧‧ surface

123b‧‧‧室

124‧‧‧ Parts

124a‧‧‧ surface

124b‧‧‧(内) cavity

124c‧‧‧ hole

124d‧‧‧ wall

125‧‧‧ outer surface

126‧‧‧Defined area

127‧‧‧Defined area

129‧‧‧ hole

130‧‧‧ neck

140‧‧‧ head

141‧‧‧ proximal end

142‧‧‧ distal

143‧‧‧ positive

144‧‧‧ back

145‧‧‧Sunday or side

170‧‧‧ (soft tissue) cleaning elements

172‧‧‧(flexible) bulge

200‧‧‧ cleaning elements

300‧‧‧assembly

302‧‧‧Printed circuit board

304‧‧‧ Controller

306‧‧‧Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

308a, 308b‧‧‧ conductive elements

310, 320‧‧‧ (conductive) contact

312, 322‧‧‧ subjects

314, 324‧‧‧ proximal terminals

316, 326‧‧‧ distal terminal

318‧‧‧Flexible terminal

408‧‧‧ (conductive) contact

500‧‧‧ motor

501, 502‧‧‧ pairs of wires

503, 504‧‧‧ pairs of wires

600‧‧‧ assemblies

601‧‧‧floor

A-A‧‧‧ vertical axis

1 is a perspective view showing an oral health care implement according to an embodiment of the present invention; and a perspective view of Fig. 2 is a view showing a printed circuit board of the oral health care implement of Fig. 1 during manufacture of the appliance; Figure 2 is a view showing the second component of the handle of the oral health appliance of Figure 1 during manufacture of the appliance; and the perspective view of Figure 4 illustrates the second component of the second component of the handle of Figure 3 during manufacture of the appliance. a printed circuit board of FIG. 5; a perspective view of FIG. 5 illustrating a pair of conductive contacts for attachment to a printed circuit board; and a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 illustrating the components of FIG. 4 and attached to a printed circuit board Figure 5 is a perspective view of the conductive contact pair; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first component of the first material, the first component forming the head and grip of the appliance during manufacture of the oral care implement of Figure 1. a first part of the first part of the handle; Figure 8 is a second part of the second material of the overmolded component of the assembly of Figure 7 a perspective view of the assembly after the assembly; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bottom plate carrying the cleaning element; and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 8, wherein the bottom plate of FIG. 9 is attached to the head of the first component unit.

The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to The invention, the application or use of the invention. The description of exemplary embodiments in accordance with the principles of the invention, and the drawings, In the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention is intended to be illustrative only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Relativistic terms such as "lower", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", "above", "below", "up", "down", "top" and "bottom" and their derivatives (eg, "horizontal", "downward", "upward", etc.) should be interpreted as describing Or the direction shown in the drawing. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless otherwise indicated. Terms such as "attached", "fixed", "connected", "coupled", "interconnected" and the like are used to refer to a relationship in which the structures are interconnected or fixed, either directly or indirectly, through an intermediate structure, an active or rigid connection. Or relationship unless explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, the features and advantages of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments herein. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the preferred embodiments, even if it is preferred. This document describes and illustrates some of the possible combinations of features that are not limiting, and such features may exist separately or belong to other combinations of features. Therefore, the invention is obviously not limited to the preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt;

In the following description, the present invention is embodied as a vibrating oral health care appliance. More specifically, the toothbrush can be vibrated. However, in another embodiment, the invention is embodied as a non-vibrating toothbrush that is operated by hand, and in another embodiment, the invention is embodied as an electric motor A toothbrush wherein one or more cleaning elements mounted to the head of the appliance are drivable for relative movement with the grip of the appliance. In still other embodiments, the invention may be embodied in other forms of oral care implements, such as soft tissue cleansers, inter-proximal picks, flossing tools, tartar scrapers (plaque) Scraper), or another handle designed to be used in oral care. It is understood that other specific embodiments may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 is a diagram showing an oral health care appliance according to a first embodiment of the present invention, In this case, the toothbrush is generally indicated by the symbol 100. The toothbrush 100 has a support 110 that includes a handle 120 and a head 140. The neck 130 of the handle 120 connects the handle 120 to the head 140, and the head 140 carries at least one cleaning element 200. The head 140 is the end of the support 110 in which at least one cleaning element 200 is disposed. In this particular embodiment, the head 140 carries a plurality of cleaning elements 200.

In this particular embodiment, the cleaning element 200 includes a plurality of tooth cleaning elements, Others are multiple flexible nylon bristles that are bundled. However, in variations of this embodiment, the cleaning element 200 may additionally or alternatively comprise any or more of the following: but not limited to: bristles, hard bristles, flexible bristles, filamentous bristles, fiber bristles , nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric bulges, elastomeric elements, flexible polymer embossments, co-extruded filaments, flag bristles, crimped bristles Bristles), antibacterial bristles, and combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations.

The head 140 has a first proximal end 141 and a second distal end 142. The handle 120 has the first The proximal end 121 and the second distal end 122. The neck 130 is located at the distal end 122 of the handle 120. The distal end 122 of the handle 120 is coupled to the proximal end 141 of the head 140. The neck 130 generally has a narrower cross-sectional area than the head 140 and the remainder of the handle 120.

The handle 120 provides a mechanism for the user to easily grasp and manipulate the toothbrush 100, including ergonomic features that allow the user to be highly controlled while maintaining comfort, and It is formed from many different shapes and has various configurations.

In general, the toothbrush 100 is from the proximal end 101 along the longitudinal axis A-A (also the handle 120) The proximal end 121) extends to the distal end 102 (also the distal end 142 of the head 140). While the handle 120 is a non-linear configuration in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis A-A of the appliance 100 is linear in the illustrated embodiment. However, the invention is not so limited, and in some embodiments, the appliance 100 can have a simple linear grip 120 that is longitudinally aligned along the longitudinal axis A-A of the appliance 100.

The head 140 is coupled to the handle 120 via the neck 130 of the handle 120. Here In the embodiment, the head portion 140 and the first member 123 of the handle 120 (including the neck portion 130) are formed into a unitary structure by an injection molding process. The head 140 together with the first component 123 of the handle 120 becomes a single unitary structure. However, in other embodiments, the first component 123 of the head 140 and the handle 120 can be formed as individual components that are operatively coupled in the later stages of the process using any suitable technique known in the art, including but not limited to: Thermal welding, sonic welding, tight fit assembly, coupling sleeves, adhesives, fasteners, and snap-fit connections. Regardless of whether the head 140 and the first component 123 of the handle 120 are constructed as a single or multiple pieces (including joining techniques), not all embodiments of the invention are limited. Moreover, in order to make the first component 123 and/or the head 140 (or components thereof) of the handle 120, other manufacturing techniques may be used in place of and/or in addition to injection molding, such as grinding and/or machining. .

In this particular embodiment, the head 140 and the first component 123 of the handle 120 Together, the first component 10 of polypropylene (PP) is formed with an elastomer (e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)) and a second component 20 that has been overmolded onto the first component 10 as described below. However, in a variation of this embodiment, the first component 10 can be replaced or otherwise comprise one or more of the following materials: polyethylene, polyamide, polyester, cellulose, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and thermoplastics. In a variation of this embodiment, the second component 20 can be replaced or otherwise comprise one or more of styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) or the materials listed in the previous sentence.

The head 140 generally includes a front surface on the front side 143 of the head 140 and a head The rear surface of the portion 140 on the back side 144 opposite the front side 143. The front and rear surfaces of the head 140 can take a variety of shapes and contours without limiting the invention. For example, the front and back surfaces can be planes, waveforms, or a combination thereof. The front surface and the rear surface are joined by the circumferential surface or side surface 145 of the head portion 140. A cleaning element extending outwardly therefrom is provided on the front side 143 of the head 140 for cleaning the oral surface in contact therewith, preferably a tooth.

Although a plurality of cleaning elements 200 are particularly suitable for cleaning teeth, The cleaning element 200 can be used to clean oral soft tissue, such as the tongue, gums or cheeks, rather than or in addition to the teeth. As used herein, the term "cleaning element" is used to generally refer to any structure that can be used to clean, massage, or polish an oral surface (eg, a tooth or soft tissue) by opposing surface contact.

In fact, in a variant of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, at least Instead of a plurality of denture elements 200, a soft tissue cleaning element (eg, a tongue cleaner that includes at least one blade). Preferably, the longitudinal length of the or each blade is configured to extend across the front side 143 of the head 140 in a direction that is non-parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A.

On the back side 144 of the head 140, the head 140 contains a soft tissue cleaning element 170. The soft tissue cleaning element 170 includes a plurality of flexible protrusions 172. The projections 172 and the remainder of the soft tissue cleaning element 170 are integral components. Both the soft tissue cleaning element 170 and the protrusions 172 are formed by the second component 20.

The handle 120 is formed by a first component 123 and a second component 124, the second component 124 is an individual component in the form of a cap that has been attached to the first component 123. When the first component 123 is coupled to the head 140 at the distal end 122 of the handle 120, the second component 124 defines the proximal end 121 of the handle 120, which is actually the proximal end 101 of the appliance 100. The first surface 123a of the first component 123, together with the second surface 124a of the second component 124, defines an outer surface 125 of the handle 120. At least the first surface 123a is held by the user's hand during oral care so that the user can manipulate the toothbrush 100. It should be understood that based on the consideration of FIG. 1, most of the outer surface 125 of the handle 120 is first The first surface 123a of the component 123 is defined. In particular, the second surface 124a of the second component 124 defines an outer surface 125 of the handle 120 that is less than 20%, possibly less than 10%.

The first and second components 10, 20 are shaped to provide a handle 120 The ergonomic features give the user a high degree of control while maintaining comfort. In addition, the second component 20 forms a gripping region of the outer surface 125 of the handle 120 with a coefficient of friction greater than that of the outer surface 125 region formed by the first component 10.

The first component 123 is opaque. However, the second component 124 is transparent, that is, Made of a transparent material. In this particular embodiment, the second component 124 is made of styrene-acrylonitrile resin (SAN) and adhered to the first component 123 of the handle 120 with an adhesive. In other embodiments, the first and second members 123, 124 of the handle 120 may be attached to one another by other mechanisms, such as a welded bond of the first and second members 123, 124 or each of the engaged mechanical members. In a variation of these embodiments, the second component 124 is translucent, that is, formed of a translucent material.

In a variation of the illustrated embodiment, the second component 124 is detachably coupled to The first component 123 is as described in detail below.

The second component 124 houses an assembly 300 including a printed circuit board 302, printed A controller 304 (e.g., a microcontroller) and a light emitting diode (LED) 306 are mounted on the circuit board 302. LED 306 is a portion of the user notification device that is configured to output a notification that depends on the state of the timer contained in controller 304. In this particular embodiment, the user notification device includes an LED 306 that is capable of transmitting light visible to the user through the transparent second member 124 of the handle 120. However, in a variation of this embodiment, the user notification device can include a different component than the LED that is configured to output a notification by emitting visible light. In still other variations, the user notification device can include an element configured to output a notification by means other than transmitting visible light, such as a buzzer configured to output a notification by emitting a sound or A horn, or a vibrator configured to output a notification by vibration.

The printed circuit board 302 is located in the inner cavity 124b of the second component 124 and falls In a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the appliance 100. The shape of the cavity 300 of the assembly 300 and the second member 124 is each made to prevent the assembly 300 from rotating relative to the second member 124 about the longitudinal axis A-A of the appliance 100. That is, in this embodiment, the cavity 124b includes a slot, and the rectangular cross-sectional area of the printed circuit board 302 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A coincides with a rectangular cross-sectional area of the slot in the same plane.

In addition, the assembly includes respective proximal terminals 314, 324 each soldered to the assembly First and second conductive contacts 310, 320 of conductive elements 308a, 308b on printed circuit board 302. Conductive elements 308a, 308b are electrically coupled to microprocessor 304. The contacts 310, 320 are configured relative to the cavity 124b to prevent movement of the assembly 300 relative to the second member 124 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the appliance 100. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the respective bodies 312, 322 of the first and second contacts 310, 320 extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA and each pass through the wall 124d of the second member 124. Hole 124c. A portion of the wall 124d is disposed on the sides of the aperture 124c in the longitudinal direction of the appliance 100 to prevent relative movement of the assembly 300 and the second member 124 in the longitudinal direction.

In the assembled appliance 100, the distal terminals 316, 326 of the contacts 310, 320 Each is in surface contact with a conductive contact (only one of which is illustrated in Figure 7 and indicated by element symbol 408) contained within the first component 123. Moreover, in the assembled appliance 100, the other resilient terminal 318 of the first contact 310 of the assembly 300 is in contact with a battery pack or other power source surface disposed in the chamber 123b of the first component 123, as detailed below. .

Figure 6 illustrates the second component 124 housing the assembly 300, even in the second component 124 is not attached to the first part 123 of the handle 120. As shown in FIG. 6, assembly 300 includes controller 304. The controller 304 has a device including at least one processor (not specifically shown) and at least one memory (not specifically shown) including the computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to be available. The at least one processor causes the device to track time. In other words, the controller 304 includes a timer because the software residing on the controller 304 tracks the time. In addition, Controller 304 includes a portion of the user notification device to configure the user notification device to output one or more notifications that are dependent on the status of the timer. The user notification device also includes an LED 306.

The user closes the switch contained in the first component 123 of the handle 120 to activate the switch Timer. More specifically, the user presses the first defined region 126 of the first surface 123a formed by the second component 20 in the first component 123. The defined area 126 is resilient so that the user exerting a force on the defined area 126 will cause the defined area 126 to deform. This deformation then causes the switch to close the first member 123 of the handle 120 inside the defined region 126, which can include the motor 500 (as described below), the controller 304, and the inner chamber disposed in the first member 123. The battery pack or other power source of 123b, and the electronic circuitry of wires 501-504, as detailed below. Thus, as the switch is turned off, the motor and controller 304 receive power, which causes the motor 500 to rotate and implements a timer start in the controller 304 to track the time.

Although not specifically shown in the drawings, mechanical vibration devices, such as centrifugal type, are installed On the output shaft of the motor 500, whereby the mechanical vibrating device rotates about the axis of the output shaft of the motor 500 as the motor 500 rotates, causing the head 140 of the appliance 100 to vibrate, and increasing the cleaning element 200 in use. The efficiency of cleaning the oral surface during 100.

Since the timer tracks the time, the state of the timer changes over time. In various embodiments, the user notification device is configured to output one or more notifications that depend on the state of the timer (eg, causing the LED 306 to illuminate). For example, in the present embodiment, controller 304 tracks the time and, depending on the commands contained in the computer program code, causes LED 306 to adopt a different illumination pattern depending on the length of time that has elapsed since the timer was started. In this particular embodiment, controller 304 causes LED 306 to emit a single flash and a pause of equal duration between individual flashes for a first time period of 30 seconds from the start of the timer. For a second time period of 30 seconds after the first time period, controller 304 causes LED 306 to continuously emit a pair of single flashes with a first pause of equal duration between each pair And a second pause of equal duration between each pair of single flashes, wherein each first pause is relatively long, preferably at least two or three times greater than each second pause. In other embodiments, the duration of the first time period may be the same or different than the second time period. The duration of the first and/or second time period, for example, may be any of the following: 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 60 seconds. In other embodiments, other illumination patterns can also be used. In any case, preferably, the user notification device is configured to output a first predetermined notification when the timer is in the first state, and to output a second predetermined notification when the timer is in the second state, the The form of the second predetermined notice is different from that of the first predetermined notice. The duration, pattern and/or frequency of the second predetermined notification may be different than the first predetermined notification.

Therefore, during the use of the oral health care appliance 100, the user is notified of the passage of time. Between, especially the elapsed time since the first switch was turned off. When the user completes oral care, the switch in the first component 123 of the handle 120 is opened. More specifically, the user presses the second defined region 127 of the first surface 123a formed by the second component 20 in the first component 123. The second defined area 127 is also resilient, so that the user exerting a force on the second defined area 127 causes the second defined area 127 to deform. This deformation then causes the switch to open and the electronic circuit to be disconnected. In this particular embodiment, the controller 304 does not have the ability to record the use of the appliance 100 during the completed oral care session, so once the electronic circuit is broken, the soft weight left in the controller 304 is preset. Initial state. Therefore, when the switch is subsequently turned off again, the controller 304 performs the same process as described above.

The motor 500 and the power source (not shown) are included in the first component of the handle 120 123, as shown in Figure 7. More specifically, the motor 500 is located in the neck 130 of the handle 120 of the appliance 100. In the device 100 of the composition, the power source is disposed between the motor 500 and the assembly 300. As described above, the motor 500 can be connected to the power source by the user turning off the switch. It should be noted that in this particular embodiment, motor 500 is electrically coupled to the power source in parallel with assembly 300. In particular, the motor 500 is connected to the power source with the first pair of wires 501, 502 and the second pair with the assembly 300. Parallel wires 503, 504 are connected to the power source.

In this particular embodiment, motor 500 and assembly 300 (which includes a timer And the user notifies the device that the controller 304 and the LED 306) are connected in parallel to the same shared power supply such that the motor 500 and assembly 300 can be powered by the power supply. The power supply may be comprised of one, two or more battery packs or batteries disposed in the chamber 123b of the first component 123. In another embodiment, the motor 500 and the assembly 300 (which includes a timer and user notification device, including the controller 304 and the LED 306) are connected in series to the same shared power supply such that the motor 500 Assembly 300 can be powered by a power supply.

An illustration of the detachable coupling of the second component 124 to the first component 123 In the above variation of the embodiment, the second member 124 can be detachably coupled by any of a tight-and-lock, a snap-fit, and a threaded connection. To the first component 123. It is believed that an interface is provided between the first and second members 123, 124, and the first and second members 123, 124 are interconnected herein. In some embodiments, a compressible or resilient gasket or seal is provided at the interface. The gasket or seal may be formed from a TPE and/or may be a component of the second component 20. Preferably, the gasket or seal comprises the interface. Preferably, during coupling of the second component 124 with the first component 123, the gasket or seal becomes compressed, whereby in the assembled appliance 100, the gasket or seal is in a compressed state and prevents or The minimized fluid flows from the outside of the first and second members 123, 124 into the chamber 123b and/or into the cavity 124b. Thus, the gasket or seal seals the assembly 300, the motor 500, and the power supply waterproofly during use of the component 100, but can still detach the second component 124 from the first component 123 to allow replacement of the power supply if necessary And / or repair assembly 300.

In this particular embodiment, the user notification device is configured to output an dependency A predetermined notification of the status of the power source. In this particular embodiment, controller 304 monitors the state of the power source, such as the residual charge of the power source, and the user notification device causes LED 306 to illuminate in a predetermined illumination pattern when the remaining charge falls below a predetermined critical charge value. . The scheduled lighting The pattern may include LEDs 306 that may emit light for a relatively long duration (eg, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, or 60 seconds), or may include a flash of light (eg, 5 or 10 per second) The LED 306 can be distinguished from the flash. Those skilled in the art understand that there are other predetermined lighting patterns.

At this time, the system of the toothbrush 100 of FIG. 1 is additionally described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10. Made.

In the first process of the manufacturing method of the oral health care appliance 100, In the embodiment, the transparent member is molded from a transparent material to form a second member 124 of the handle 120, which includes a wall 124d, an inner cavity 124b, and a hole 124c of the wall 124d. Figure 3 illustrates the second component 124 formed in this manner.

In a second process that can be performed during, before or after the first process, assembly Assembly 300. More specifically, a printed circuit board 302 and a mounting controller 304 (e.g., a microcontroller), LEDs 306, and conductive elements 308a, 308b are provided on the printed circuit board 302, as shown in FIG.

After the first and second processes are completed, at least part of the assembly 300 is inserted. The third process of the cavity 124b of the second member 124 of the handle 120 causes the printed circuit board 302 to land in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the finished tool 100, as shown in FIG. As described above, the shape of the cavity 300 of the assembly 300 and the second member 124 is shaped to prevent the assembly 300 from rotating about the longitudinal axis A-A of the appliance 100 for the second component 124.

After the third process, a fourth process is performed, which provides first and second contacts 310, 320 (shown in FIG. 5), and the proximal terminals 314, 324 of the first and second contacts 310, 320 are each soldered to conductive elements 308a, 308b mounted on the printed circuit board 302 such that the first The bodies 312, 322 of the second contacts 310, 320 each extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis AA and each pass through a hole 124c in the wall 124d of the second component 124, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the first and second contacts 310, 320 serve as elements that prevent movement of the assembly 300 relative to the second member 124 in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the finished tool 100.

May be before, before or after any or all of the first to fourth processes The fifth process performed includes providing the head 140 and the first component 123 of the handle 120 that is coupled to the head 140. This fifth process includes first forming a first material to form a first component 10 (as shown in Figure 7). This can be accomplished by any method known in the art, such as injection molding the first material in a molten state into a suitable mold, and then allowing the first material to cool and harden. Next, the motor 500 is disposed in the neck 130 of the first component 123 of the handle 120, and the first pair of wires 501, 502 each having a first end connected to the terminal of the motor 500, respectively, are arranged to be respective and first end The opposite second end is located within the chamber 123b of the first component 123 for further connection to the power source to be located in the chamber 123b via the aperture 129 of the first component 10. Furthermore, the second pair of wires 503, 504, each having a first end, each connected to a conductive contact 408 in the chamber 123b, are arranged such that a second end, each opposite the first end, is located within the chamber 123b of the first member 123 A further connection to the power source via the aperture 129 of the first component 10. Finally, a second material that is overmolded to form the second component 20 is formed on the first component 10 to enclose the motor 500 and a majority of the two pairs of wires 501, 502, 503, 504. The resulting device is shown in Figure 8. It should be noted that in this particular embodiment, the first and second components 10, 20 are opaque.

The power source can be disposed in the motor 500 in the chamber 123b as needed at this stage. Between the chamber 123b is subsequently attached to the end of the second component 124 of the handle 120.

Sixth process package that can be performed during, before, or after the first through fifth processes Included: Provides a cleaning component sub-assembly 600, as shown in Figure 9. The secondary assembly 600 includes a bottom plate 601 and at least one cleaning element 200 extending from the bottom plate 601. One or more cleaning elements 200 can be coupled to the base plate 601 by any mechanism known in the art (eg, AFT, IMT, or stapling).

The seventh process that can be performed after the sixth process includes: attaching the cleaning component to the total 600 and head 140 are provided to provide a head 140 having at least one cleaning element 200, as shown in FIG. This attachment step can include, for example, adhering the subassembly 600 to the head 140 or a portion of the sonic welding subassembly 600 to the head 140.

The eighth process that can be performed before, during or after the seventh process includes: configuration Power is supplied to the chamber 123b (if not already completed), then the second component 124 of the handle 120 and the first component 123 of the handle 120 are attached such that the first component 123 is coupled to the head at the distal end 122 of the handle 120 140, the second member 124 defines a proximal end 121 of the handle 120, and the first and second surfaces 123a, 124a of the first and second members 123, 124 together define an outer surface 125 of the handle 120. The attaching step can include attaching the second component 124 to the first component 123 by one or more of the following methods: adhering, welding, and joining the various mechanical components of the first and second components 123, 124. Alternatively, the attaching step can include detachably coupling the second component 124 with the first component 123 and, if desired, including: providing or compressing a seal during coupling of the second component 124 with the first component 123 a piece or gasket between the first and second members 123, 124 whereby the gasket or seal is in a compressed state and prevents or minimizes fluid flow by the first and second members 123 in the assembled appliance 100 And 124 flows into the chamber 123b and/or into the cavity 124b.

During the eighth process, the power source becomes between the motor 500, assembly 300. this Additionally, the distal terminals 316, 326 of the contacts 310, 320 are each in surface contact with the conductive contacts (one of which is illustrated in FIG. 7 and indicated by the symbol 408) included in the first component 123, and the first assembly 300 The other resilient terminal 318 of one contact 310 is in contact with the power supply surface disposed in the chamber 123b of the first component 123, whereby the motor 500 and assembly 300 become electrically coupled in parallel with the power source.

In the present invention, the assembly 300 is received in the second component 124 of the handle 120. The first component 123 of the handle 120 (which is intended to be held by the user during use of the appliance 100) can be made compact and/or designed to be more ergonomic for the user to hold. The first component 123 can also be made from a variety of materials, including opaque materials. Moreover, since the assembly 300 including the user notification device is received in the second member 124 of the handle, the component projections of the assembly 300 into the first member 123 of the handle 120 by the second member 124 can be minimized or avoided. This makes the system used to indicate the elapsed time to the user more robust because the components of the assembly 300 are manufactured. It is unlikely that the appliance 100 will be hit or crashed during the period.

In addition, the appliance 100 is more than a system that includes a system for indicating the elapsed time to the user. Conventional prior art devices are easier to manufacture because the majority of the appliance 100 can be manufactured independently of the system used to indicate the elapsed time to the user, and the system for indicating the elapsed time to the user only needs to modify the handle meaningfully. The second component 124 of 120. The assembly of the appliance 100 is also relatively simple: the assembly of the first component 123 of the handle 120 can be separated from the second component 124 of the handle 120, and the first and second components 123, 124 need only end or end at the end of the assembly process. When attached to each other.

The invention can be implemented as a component kit of the oral health care appliance 100, the component sleeve The set includes: a head 140 carrying at least one cleaning element 200; a first component 123 of the handle 120, the first component 123 coupled to the head 140 and having a first surface 123a; and a second component 124 of the handle 120, The second component 124 has a second surface 124a and an assembly 300 containing a timer and user notification device configured to output a notification dependent on the status of the timer; wherein the second component 124 Attachable to the first component 123 is such that the first component 123 is coupled to the head 140 at the distal end 122 of the handle 120, the second component 124 defines a proximal end 121 of the handle 120, and the first and second surfaces 123a, 124a together The outer surface 125 of the handle 120 is defined.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, including the presently preferred modes of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many variations and arrangements. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be understood from the scope of the claims as set forth below.

10‧‧‧ components

20‧‧‧ components

100‧‧‧ oral health appliances

101‧‧‧ proximal end

102‧‧‧ distal

110‧‧‧Support

120‧‧‧Handle

121‧‧‧ Near end

122‧‧‧ distal

123‧‧‧ Parts

123a‧‧‧ surface

124‧‧‧ Parts

124a‧‧‧ surface

124b‧‧‧(内) cavity

125‧‧‧ outer surface

126‧‧‧Defined area

127‧‧‧Defined area

130‧‧‧ neck

140‧‧‧ head

141‧‧‧ proximal end

142‧‧‧ distal

143‧‧‧ positive

144‧‧‧ back

145‧‧‧Sunday or side

170‧‧‧ (soft tissue) cleaning elements

172‧‧‧(flexible) bulge

200‧‧‧ cleaning elements

306‧‧‧Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

A-A‧‧‧ vertical axis

Claims (28)

A method of making an oral care implement comprising the steps of: (a) providing a head and a first member attached to the head, the first member having a first surface; (b) providing a head having at least one cleaning element; and (c) attaching a second component of the handle to the first component of the handle, the second component having a second surface and receiving a timer and An operator notifying the device, the user notification device being configured to output a notification dependent on a state of the timer such that the first component is coupled to the head at one of the distal ends of the handle, The second member defines a proximal end of the handle, and the first surface and the second surface together define an outer surface of the handle. The method of claim 1, comprising the step of inserting at least a portion of the assembly into a cavity of the second member of the handle prior to step (c). The method of claim 2, wherein the assembly comprises the timer and a printed circuit board on which the user notification device is mounted, and the inserting step comprises: inserting the printed circuit board The cavity of the second component of the handle is such that the printed circuit board falls into a plane parallel to one of the longitudinal axes of the appliance. The method of any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the cavity and the cavity of the second component are shaped to prevent the assembly from being The longitudinal axis of the appliance rotates center. The method of any one of clauses 2 to 3, wherein the assembly comprises preventing the assembly from being in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the appliance relative to the second component. One or more components of the amount of motion. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: providing a power source and a motor connectable to the power source. The method of claim 6, comprising: configuring at least one of the power source and the motor in the first component. The method of claim 6, comprising: configuring the power source between the motor and the assembly. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the step (c) comprises: electrically-conductive contacting the one of the assemblies with the first component A power source surface in a chamber is in contact. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the step (c) comprises: detachably coupling the second component with the first component. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 3 wherein the second component is transparent or translucent. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 3 wherein the first component is opaque. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the oral health care implement comprises a toothbrush. An oral health care appliance comprising: a head carrying at least one cleaning element; and a distal end, a proximal end, a first component and a handle attached to a second component of the first component, Wherein a first surface of the first component and a second surface of the second component define an outer surface of the handle; wherein the first component is coupled to the head at a distal end of the handle and a second component defining the proximal end of the handle; and wherein the second component houses an assembly including a timer and a user notification device, the user notification device configured to output a timer dependent A state notification. The oral health care implement of claim 14, wherein the assembly comprises the timer and a printed circuit board on which the user notification device is mounted. The oral health care implement of claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board falls in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the appliance. The oral health care implement of any one of clauses 14 to 16, wherein at least a portion of the assembly is located in a cavity of the second component, and wherein the assembly is The cavity of the second component is shaped to prevent the assembly from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the appliance for the second component. The oral health care implement of any one of clauses 14 to 16, wherein at least a portion of the assembly is located in a cavity of the second component, and wherein the assembly comprises The cavity is configured to prevent the assembly from being used relative to the second component One or more elements having a component motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The oral health care implement according to any one of claims 14 to 16, which comprises a power source and a motor connectable to the power source. The oral health care appliance of claim 19, wherein the power source is disposed between the motor and the assembly. The oral health care implement according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the second component is transparent or translucent. The oral health care appliance of claim 14, wherein the assembly comprises a controller, and wherein the controller has at least one processor and at least one memory containing the computer program code, the at least A memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the device to track time with the at least one processor. The oral health care appliance of any one of clauses 14 to 16, wherein the timer is configured such that the state of the timer changes over time, and wherein the user notifies the device Configuring to output a first predetermined notification when the timer is in a first state and outputting a second predetermined notification when the timer is in a second state, the second predetermined notification form and the first predetermined The notice is different. The oral health care appliance of claim 23, wherein the duration, pattern or frequency of the second predetermined notification is different from the first predetermined notification. The oral health care implement according to any one of claims 14 to 16, Wherein the user notification device includes a device configured to output a notification or notifications by emitting visible light. The oral health care implement of claim 19, wherein the user notification device is configured to output a predetermined notification dependent on the status of the power source. The oral health care implement according to any one of claims 14 to 16, which comprises a toothbrush. A component kit for an oral health care appliance, the component kit comprising: a head carrying at least one cleaning element; a first component of the handle, the first component being coupled to the head and having a first a second member of the handle; the second member having a second surface and receiving an assembly including a timer and a user notification device, the user notification device configured to output dependent a notification of one of the states of the timer; wherein the second component is attachable to the first component such that the first component is coupled to the head at one of the distal ends of the handle, the second component defining one of the handles The proximal end, and the first surface and the second surface together define an outer surface of the handle.