US20160331123A1 - Toothbrush with tongue cleaner - Google Patents
Toothbrush with tongue cleaner Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160331123A1 US20160331123A1 US15/098,571 US201615098571A US2016331123A1 US 20160331123 A1 US20160331123 A1 US 20160331123A1 US 201615098571 A US201615098571 A US 201615098571A US 2016331123 A1 US2016331123 A1 US 2016331123A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- head
- auxiliary member
- toothbrush
- handle
- tongue cleaner
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
- A46B15/0055—Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors
- A46B15/0081—Brushes with a scraper, e.g. tongue scraper
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
- A46B9/04—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a toothbrush with an integral tongue cleaner.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,380 discloses a toothbrush provided with a U shaped tongue scraper.
- Other examples of toothbrushes equipped with tongue cleaners are disclosed in the following U.S. patent publications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,891,864; 4,455,704; 5,915,433; 6,647,581 B1; 8955190 B2; 20120167319 A1; 20140325778 A1; D 162941; D 246878; D 377417; D 265270; D 284528; D 285389; D 295695; D 423785; D 423786; and D 727626 S.
- a manual toothbrush has a handle with a head at one end of the handle having first and second opposing sides, the handle and head made of a first polymeric material. Nylon bristles are fixed to and extend from a first side of the head. A U shaped auxiliary member is made of a second polymeric material that is more flexible than the first polymeric material. The auxiliary member is co-molded with the head and extends partially around a periphery of the head with a first side of the auxiliary member adjacent the first side of the head.
- the auxiliary member includes a U shaped tongue cleaner projecting away from the second side of the head with an open side of the U facing the handle, and a plurality of projections projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the nylon bristles.
- FIG. 1 there is a perspective view of an exemplary toothbrush of a first embodiment with the bristles pointing upwardly.
- FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary toothbrush of FIG. 1 with the bristles pointing downwardly.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary U shaped tongue cleaner not assembled with a toothbrush.
- FIG. 4 is a top view of another exemplary toothbrush with the bristles pointing upwardly and having the tongue cleaner and the head of the toothbrush molded together.
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the exemplary toothbrush of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the exemplary toothbrush of 4 .
- FIG. 7 is a section view of the exemplary toothbrush of FIG. 4 taken at line 7 - 7 of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary toothbrush of the present invention with the bristles pointing upwardly and having the tongue cleaner and the head of the toothbrush molded together.
- FIG. 9 is a side view of the exemplary toothbrush of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the exemplary toothbrush of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 .
- FIG. 11 is a section view of the exemplary toothbrush of the present invention taken at line 11 - 11 of FIG. 9 .
- FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary manual toothbrush 10 with bristles 11 extending upwardly.
- FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the toothbrush 10 of FIG. 1 with the bristles pointing downwardly.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary U shaped tongue cleaner 20 not assembled with a toothbrush.
- the toothbrush 10 has a handle 12 with a head 13 located at one end of the handle.
- the bristles 11 are fixed to and extend from one side of the head 13 of the toothbrush. Toothbrush handles and heads most often are made of a polymer and the bristles are most often a nylon material.
- a U shaped tongue cleaner 20 extends outwardly, for example about two millimeters, from a side of the head opposite from the side of the head from which the bristles extend.
- the tongue cleaner 20 has an open side of the U facing the handle 12 .
- the U shaped tongue cleaner has a periphery that is complementary to a periphery of the head of the toothbrush.
- the exemplary tongue cleaner 20 comprises a polymer that is relatively rigid.
- the polymer may be any suitable polymer selected in accordance with good engineering practices that does not have any adverse effects on the oral health of a user of the toothbrush.
- the tongue cleaner 20 is adhered to an edge of the periphery of the head 13 of the toothbrush and extends a distance of about two centimeters beyond the surface of the head that is opposite from the surface from which the bristles extend.
- the U shaped tongue cleaner is next to the outer peripheral surface of the head of the toothbrush such that the tongue cleaner overlaps the head a distance of about one centimeter.
- the tongue cleaner may be fixed to the head of the toothbrush in such a configuration using a suitable adhesive or other suitable method of attachment.
- the surface of the head opposite the bristles may be provided with a ledge or groove for receiving the tongue cleaner.
- the tongue cleaner may be co-molded or insert molded with the handle and head of the toothbrush.
- FIGS. 4-6 there is shown top, side and bottom views of another exemplary manual toothbrush 100 having a handle 112 with a head 113 at one end of the handle.
- a U shaped tongue cleaner 120 extends outwardly, for example about two millimeters, from a side of the head opposite from the side of the head from which the bristles 111 extend.
- the tongue cleaner 120 has an open side of the U facing the handle 112 .
- a U shaped tongue cleaner 120 is molded together with the head 113 of the toothbrush as best understood by referring to FIG. 7 which is a cross section taken at line 7 - 7 of FIG. 5 .
- the U-shaped tongue cleaner 120 could be fixed to the head 113 of the toothbrush using a suitable adhesive.
- a portion of the periphery of the head is adjacent and fixed to the U-shaped tongue cleaner and if desired bristles 111 may be fixed to and extend from the head 113 and bristles 114 may be fixed to and extend from the U shaped tongue cleaner.
- an assembly of a U shaped tongue cleaner with the head of a toothbrush has an internal periphery of a portion of the U-shaped tongue cleaner adjacent and fixed to an external periphery of the head of the toothbrush, while the U shaped tongue cleaner projects from the assembly in a direction opposite the direction that the bristles of the toothbrush project from the head of the toothbrush.
- a handle 212 has a head 213 at one end of the handle.
- the handle and head comprise a first polymeric material
- a polymeric material is understood to mean a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins.
- the head has first and second opposing sides nylon bristles 211 fixed to and extending from a first side of the head 213 .
- a U shaped auxiliary member 219 comprises a second polymeric material that is more flexible than the first polymeric material of the handle 212 and head 213 .
- the first and second polymeric materials may be any suitable polymer materials selected in accordance with good engineering practices that do not have any adverse effects on the oral health of a user of the toothbrush.
- the auxiliary member 219 is co-molded with the head 213 with the auxiliary member extending partially around a periphery of the head with a first side of the auxiliary member adjacent the first side of the head from which the nylon bristles 211 extend.
- auxiliary member 219 comprises a U shaped tongue cleaner 220 projecting away from the second side of the head with an open side of the U facing the handle as shown in FIG. 10 .
- the U shaped tongue cleaner 220 has a height. for example. of about two millimeters.
- the auxiliary member 219 further comprises a plurality of projections 214 projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the nylon bristles 211 . As shown in a side view in FIG.
- the projections 214 project from the first side of the auxiliary member 219 a distance less than a distance the nylon bristles 211 extend from the first side of the head 213 .
- there are two rows of projections 214 projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member 219 and the nylon bristles 211 extending from the head 213 are at least in part located between the rows of projections 214 projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member.
- the projections 214 function to aid the nylon bristles 211 in cleaning the teeth and massaging the gums of a user of the manual toothbrush 200 .
- an auxiliary member as disclosed may be combined with a manual toothbrush having a handle of any suitable shape and a head of any suitable shape, including rectangular, square or round.
Landscapes
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
A manual toothbrush has a handle with a head at one end of the handle having first and second opposing sides, the handle and head made of a first polymeric material. Nylon bristles are fixed to and extend from a first side of the head. A U shaped auxiliary member is made of a second polymeric material that is more flexible than the first polymeric material. The auxiliary member is co-molded with the head and extends partially around a periphery of the head with a first side of the auxiliary member adjacent the first side of the head. The auxiliary member includes a U shaped tongue cleaner projecting away from the second side of the head with an open side of the U facing the handle, and a plurality of projections projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the nylon bristles.
Description
- This is Continuation-in Part of application Ser. No. 14/801,196 filed Jul. 16, 2015 which claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/161,819 filed May 14, 2015.
- The present invention relates to a toothbrush with an integral tongue cleaner.
- For years, dentists have recommended that persons brush at least twice a day and floss once a day to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and to prevent bad breath. However, many oral care experts do not mention that a very high percentage of odor causing bacteria are found on the surface of the tongue. Some dentists recommend that their patients simply brush their tongue, as they do their teeth. However, this practice is very harsh and aggressive to the tongue, and can be very uncomfortable and unproductive.
- Other inventions have attempted to solve this problem, however most have been very unsuccessful due to an array of reasons including for example: some prior art tongue cleaners, due to their irregular shape, can cause the user to experience a gagging-reflex and an abrasive feeling on the tongue's surface; and most tongue cleaners are expensive and difficult to manufacture, thus they are very uneconomical.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,380 discloses a toothbrush provided with a U shaped tongue scraper. Other examples of toothbrushes equipped with tongue cleaners are disclosed in the following U.S. patent publications: U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,891,864; 4,455,704; 5,915,433; 6,647,581 B1; 8955190 B2; 20120167319 A1; 20140325778 A1; D 162941; D 246878; D 377417; D 265270; D 284528; D 285389; D 295695; D 423785; D 423786; and D 727626 S.
- There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention a manual toothbrush has a handle with a head at one end of the handle having first and second opposing sides, the handle and head made of a first polymeric material. Nylon bristles are fixed to and extend from a first side of the head. A U shaped auxiliary member is made of a second polymeric material that is more flexible than the first polymeric material. The auxiliary member is co-molded with the head and extends partially around a periphery of the head with a first side of the auxiliary member adjacent the first side of the head. The auxiliary member includes a U shaped tongue cleaner projecting away from the second side of the head with an open side of the U facing the handle, and a plurality of projections projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the nylon bristles.
-
FIG. 1 there is a perspective view of an exemplary toothbrush of a first embodiment with the bristles pointing upwardly. -
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary toothbrush ofFIG. 1 with the bristles pointing downwardly. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary U shaped tongue cleaner not assembled with a toothbrush. -
FIG. 4 is a top view of another exemplary toothbrush with the bristles pointing upwardly and having the tongue cleaner and the head of the toothbrush molded together. -
FIG. 5 is a side view of the exemplary toothbrush ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the exemplary toothbrush of 4. -
FIG. 7 is a section view of the exemplary toothbrush ofFIG. 4 taken at line 7-7 ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary toothbrush of the present invention with the bristles pointing upwardly and having the tongue cleaner and the head of the toothbrush molded together. -
FIG. 9 is a side view of the exemplary toothbrush of the present invention shown inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the exemplary toothbrush of the present invention shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 . -
FIG. 11 is a section view of the exemplary toothbrush of the present invention taken at line 11-11 ofFIG. 9 . - Referring first to
FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of an exemplarymanual toothbrush 10 withbristles 11 extending upwardly.FIG. 2 is another perspective view of thetoothbrush 10 ofFIG. 1 with the bristles pointing downwardly.FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary U shapedtongue cleaner 20 not assembled with a toothbrush. Thetoothbrush 10 has ahandle 12 with ahead 13 located at one end of the handle. Thebristles 11 are fixed to and extend from one side of thehead 13 of the toothbrush. Toothbrush handles and heads most often are made of a polymer and the bristles are most often a nylon material. A Ushaped tongue cleaner 20 extends outwardly, for example about two millimeters, from a side of the head opposite from the side of the head from which the bristles extend. Thetongue cleaner 20 has an open side of the U facing thehandle 12. The U shaped tongue cleaner has a periphery that is complementary to a periphery of the head of the toothbrush. - The
exemplary tongue cleaner 20 comprises a polymer that is relatively rigid. The polymer may be any suitable polymer selected in accordance with good engineering practices that does not have any adverse effects on the oral health of a user of the toothbrush. In the exemplary prototype illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 thetongue cleaner 20 is adhered to an edge of the periphery of thehead 13 of the toothbrush and extends a distance of about two centimeters beyond the surface of the head that is opposite from the surface from which the bristles extend. The U shaped tongue cleaner is next to the outer peripheral surface of the head of the toothbrush such that the tongue cleaner overlaps the head a distance of about one centimeter. The tongue cleaner may be fixed to the head of the toothbrush in such a configuration using a suitable adhesive or other suitable method of attachment. Alternatively the surface of the head opposite the bristles may be provided with a ledge or groove for receiving the tongue cleaner. It is further understood that the tongue cleaner may be co-molded or insert molded with the handle and head of the toothbrush. - Referring next to
FIGS. 4-6 there is shown top, side and bottom views of another exemplarymanual toothbrush 100 having ahandle 112 with ahead 113 at one end of the handle. A Ushaped tongue cleaner 120 extends outwardly, for example about two millimeters, from a side of the head opposite from the side of the head from which thebristles 111 extend. Thetongue cleaner 120 has an open side of the U facing thehandle 112. In this embodiment a U shapedtongue cleaner 120 is molded together with thehead 113 of the toothbrush as best understood by referring toFIG. 7 which is a cross section taken at line 7-7 ofFIG. 5 . Of course if desired the U-shapedtongue cleaner 120 could be fixed to thehead 113 of the toothbrush using a suitable adhesive. In this embodiment a portion of the periphery of the head is adjacent and fixed to the U-shaped tongue cleaner and if desiredbristles 111 may be fixed to and extend from thehead 113 andbristles 114 may be fixed to and extend from the U shaped tongue cleaner. Put another way, in this embodiment an assembly of a U shaped tongue cleaner with the head of a toothbrush has an internal periphery of a portion of the U-shaped tongue cleaner adjacent and fixed to an external periphery of the head of the toothbrush, while the U shaped tongue cleaner projects from the assembly in a direction opposite the direction that the bristles of the toothbrush project from the head of the toothbrush. - Referring next to
FIGS. 8-11 there is shown top, side, bottom and cross section views of amanual toothbrush 200 of the present invention. Ahandle 212 has ahead 213 at one end of the handle. The handle and head comprise a first polymeric material As used herein and in the claims a polymeric material is understood to mean a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins. The head has first and second opposingsides nylon bristles 211 fixed to and extending from a first side of thehead 213. - A U shaped
auxiliary member 219 comprises a second polymeric material that is more flexible than the first polymeric material of thehandle 212 andhead 213. The first and second polymeric materials may be any suitable polymer materials selected in accordance with good engineering practices that do not have any adverse effects on the oral health of a user of the toothbrush. Theauxiliary member 219 is co-molded with thehead 213 with the auxiliary member extending partially around a periphery of the head with a first side of the auxiliary member adjacent the first side of the head from which the nylon bristles 211 extend. As used herein and in the claims “co-molded” is understood to mean two components comprising two different polymeric materials that molded together as a unit in one process such as dual injection molding, two-shot molding, two color molding, two component molding and/or multi-shot molding. Theauxiliary member 219 comprises a U shaped tongue cleaner 220 projecting away from the second side of the head with an open side of the U facing the handle as shown inFIG. 10 . The U shaped tongue cleaner 220 has a height. for example. of about two millimeters. Theauxiliary member 219 further comprises a plurality ofprojections 214 projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the nylon bristles 211. As shown in a side view inFIG. 9 and in a cross section inFIG. 11 theprojections 214 project from the first side of the auxiliary member 219 a distance less than a distance the nylon bristles 211 extend from the first side of thehead 213. As shown in a top view inFIG. 8 and in a cross section inFIG. 11 there are two rows ofprojections 214 projecting from the first side of theauxiliary member 219, and the nylon bristles 211 extending from thehead 213 are at least in part located between the rows ofprojections 214 projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member. Theprojections 214 function to aid the nylon bristles 211 in cleaning the teeth and massaging the gums of a user of themanual toothbrush 200. - It is understood that an auxiliary member as disclosed may be combined with a manual toothbrush having a handle of any suitable shape and a head of any suitable shape, including rectangular, square or round.
- While the invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, obvious modifications and alterations are possible by those skilled in the related art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention include all such modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims (4)
1. A manual toothbrush comprising:
(a) a handle with a head at one end of the handle having first and second opposing sides, the handle and head comprising a first polymeric material;
(b) nylon bristles fixed to and extending from a first side of the head;
(c) a U shaped auxiliary member comprising a second polymeric material that is more flexible than the first polymeric material, the auxiliary member being co-molded with the head, the auxiliary member extending partially around a periphery of the head with a first side of the auxiliary member adjacent the first side of the head, the auxiliary member comprises:
(i) a U shaped tongue cleaner projecting away from the second side of the head with an open side of the U facing the handle; and
(ii) a plurality of projections projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the nylon bristles.
2. The manual toothbrush of claim 1 wherein the projections project from the first side of the auxiliary member a distance less than a distance the nylon bristles extend from the first side of the head.
3. The manual toothbrush of claim 1 wherein there are two rows of projections projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member and the nylon bristles extending from the head are at least in part located between the rows of projections projecting from the first side of the auxiliary member.
4. The manual toothbrush of claim 3 wherein the projections project from the first side of the auxiliary member a distance less than a distance the nylon bristles extend from the first side of the head.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/098,571 US20160331123A1 (en) | 2015-05-14 | 2016-04-14 | Toothbrush with tongue cleaner |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562161819P | 2015-05-14 | 2015-05-14 | |
US14/801,196 US20160331122A1 (en) | 2015-05-14 | 2015-07-16 | Toothbrush with tongue cleaner |
US15/098,571 US20160331123A1 (en) | 2015-05-14 | 2016-04-14 | Toothbrush with tongue cleaner |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/801,196 Continuation-In-Part US20160331122A1 (en) | 2015-05-14 | 2015-07-16 | Toothbrush with tongue cleaner |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20160331123A1 true US20160331123A1 (en) | 2016-11-17 |
Family
ID=57276311
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/098,571 Abandoned US20160331123A1 (en) | 2015-05-14 | 2016-04-14 | Toothbrush with tongue cleaner |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20160331123A1 (en) |
-
2016
- 2016-04-14 US US15/098,571 patent/US20160331123A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |