US2230171A - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 28, 1941.

F. H. voRHE'Es k-:T A1.

TOOTHBRUSH Filed Jari. 8. 1940 ATTOR N EYS Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES TOOTHBRUSH Frank H. Vorhees and John M. Besser, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 8, 1940, Serial No. 313,004

2 Claims.

This invention relates to toothbrushes and has ffcr an object to provide a more hygienic toothbrush than conventional toothbrushes.

The uncleanliness of conventional toothbrushes is due to the flat surface which is commonly used in the area where the bristles are inserted into the brush head and due to this flattened area the toothbrush is always more or less contaminated with mouth debris and vn'th the residue of the dentifrice and it is most difficult to cleanse the toothbrush thoroughly because of this flat surface structure.

With the above in mind an object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush head of substantially triangular cross section, with one side of the triangular head slightly rounded to serve as a back of the head, whilethe other two sides receive the bristles, with the apex of the triangle extending well up between the bristles and being only slightly rounded. This construction of brush head promotes easy cleansing and also the sides of the triangle partly support the bristles when the bristles are bent during the rubbing of the same against the teeth and gums and promote the long llife of the bristles by supporting the bristles against being broken off.

With the above and other objects in view the.

invention consists of certain novel' details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specication:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a toothbrush constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the toothbrush shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, with bristle tufts shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the various views, Il) designates a toothbrush handle and II designates the toothbrush head while I2 designates the narrow neck connecting the handle with the head.

In carrying out the invention, the head II is formed of substantially triangular cross section, as shown in Figure 3, the base I3 of the triangular head being slightly rounded to serve as a back of the head, while the other two sides I4 and I5 of the triangular head receive respective rows o-f bristle tufts I6 and Il'. The apex I8 of the triangular head extends well up between the bristles and is slightly rounded.

By virtue of the triangular shape of the head the head may be easily cleaned and `also the head will be of more than usual strength to resist breakage. It will be observed by referring to Figures 1 and 2 that the triangular head merges into one end of .a substantially triangular rib I9 which extends across the bottom of the neck l2 of the brush and feathers out into the fiat bottom face of the handle I0. This rib reinforces the neck of the handle where breakage is ordinarily most likely to occur.

It will be pointed out that the bristles are arranged in spaced rows extending longitudinally of the head and the apex of the head is located centrally between and in parallel relation to the rows of bristles. Thus during sweeping motion of the brush while massaging the gums the Working row of bristles, that is the row next to the tissues, will rest partly against the adjacent inclined side of the head which later will support the bristles to materially shorten the flexing portions of the free ends of the bristles and thereby greatly reduce the likelihood of their becoming broken.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be fully understood without further explanation.

What is claimed is:

l. A toothbrush including a handle, a head of substantially triangular cross section extending from the handle in alignment therewith, the back of the head being curved transversely, longitudinal rows of spaced bristle tufts on the two inclined sides of the head, the apex of the inclined sides extending up between the bristle tufts, and a rib merging at one end into one end of the head and said inclined sides and merging at the other end into the bottom face of the handle.

2. A toothbrush including a handle, a narrow neck, and a head, the head being of substantially triangular cross section, spaced bristle tufts arranged in rows extending longitudinally of the two inclined sides of the head, the apex of the inclined sides vbeing spaced centrally between and in parallel relation to the rows of bristle tufts, and a rib extending longitudinally of the bottom face of the neck and merging into'the head and inclined sides thereof at one end and merging into the handle at the other end.

FRANK H. VORHEES. JOHN M. BESSER.

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