WO2004019728A1 - Brosse a dents a tete montee non amovible sur le manche - Google Patents

Brosse a dents a tete montee non amovible sur le manche Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004019728A1
WO2004019728A1 PCT/US2003/026729 US0326729W WO2004019728A1 WO 2004019728 A1 WO2004019728 A1 WO 2004019728A1 US 0326729 W US0326729 W US 0326729W WO 2004019728 A1 WO2004019728 A1 WO 2004019728A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
head
stem
handle
toothbrush
socket member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/026729
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth Waguespack
Joseph Fattori
Original Assignee
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Colgate-Palmolive Company filed Critical Colgate-Palmolive Company
Priority to AU2003265755A priority Critical patent/AU2003265755A1/en
Publication of WO2004019728A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004019728A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • toothbrushes include a handle and a head secured to the handle.
  • the head carries various types of cleaning elements.
  • the handle and head are manufactured so as to be integral with each other. Variations of these common procedures include having a head detachably mounted to the handle. Examples of such detachable mounting are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,237,183 and 5,864,915.
  • the bristle carrying portion which is referred to in the patents as the brush or brushing head is detachably mounted to an end of the handle at a location which is generally considered as the head area.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,066,282 discloses a process for making a toothbrush wherein the head and handle are made separately and then engaged together.
  • An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush which includes the handle and head as separate parts connected together in a permanent manner.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide manufacturing techniques for making a toothbrush wherein the handle and head are initially of separate parts, but then permanently secured together.
  • the handle and head are initially separate and distinct from each other, but then secured together by connecting structure.
  • the connecting structure includes a socket member integral with either the handle or the head and a stem integral with the other of the handle or the head.
  • the socket member has a cavity for receiving the stem and has an opening on the inner surface of the socket member in the cavity.
  • the socket member is expandable under pressure.
  • the stem includes a locking member on its outer surface. The stem and cavity are of a size and shape so that when the stem is inserted into the cavity the cavity is caused to expand sufficiently to permit the locking member to enter the cavity until the locking member becomes seated in the opening to thereby non-detachably secure the head to the handle.
  • the stem tapers outwardly in a direction away from the socket member.
  • the locking member includes an inclined cam surface to facilitate the stem and locking member entering the cavity.
  • the opening preferably extends completely through the wall of the socket member. When the locking member is mounted in the opening it is of a size to be confined completely within the opening without extending beyond the outer surface of the socket member.
  • the invention may be practiced with only a single locking member and a single opening.
  • a plurality such as two locking members and two corresponding openings may be provided.
  • Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a toothbrush in accordance with this invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevational view partly in section of the toothbrush shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is an exploded side view partly in section of the toothbrush shown in Figures 1 -2;
  • Figure 3A is a view similar to Figure 3 of a modified form of this invention.
  • Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a further toothbrush in accordance with this invention
  • Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 4
  • Figure 6 is a side view partly in section of the toothbrush shown in Figures 4-5;
  • FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of still yet another toothbrush in accordance with this invention. Detailed Description
  • the present invention is generally directed to a toothbrush wherein the head and handle are initially made of separate parts and then permanently secured together.
  • the securement results in a permanent mechanical attachment which is accomplished by having a snap fit.
  • the snap fit results from a connection mechanism designed to permanently attach the toothbrush head and the separately produced toothbrush handle.
  • the connection is designed to engage only once.
  • the connection mechanism includes a socket member secured to either the handle or head and a stem secured to the other of the handle or the head.
  • the socket member is made of a material such as a suitable plastic material which can expand under the pressure of engagement of the stem.
  • the socket member includes an opening on the inner surface of its cavity in the path of movement of a locking member on the outer surface of the stem.
  • Figures 1-3 show one practice of the invention.
  • the toothbrush 10 includes a handle 12 and a head 14.
  • Head 14 carries any suitable number of cleaning elements 16.
  • Handle 12 may be of any suitable shape.
  • handle 12 includes a curved gripping surface 18 and a flat end 20 which would permit the handle to stand on end.
  • the invention may be practiced with other sizes and shapes of the head and handle.
  • head 14 is connected to handle 12 by a connection mechanism which includes a socket member 22 integral with head 14 and a stem 24 integral with handle 12.
  • the invention may be practiced where the socket member is integral with the handle and where the stem is integral with the head.
  • socket member 22 includes a cavity 26 and also has an opening 28 on the inner surface of cavity 26.
  • opening 28 is a hole extending completely through the socket member wall. The invention could be practiced, however, where the opening is simply a recess in the inner surface of the socket member.
  • Stem 24 extends outwardly from a shoulder 30 on handle 12.
  • Shoulder 30 is of a size and shape so that when the head and handle are secured together as shown in Figures 1 -2 the toothbrush 10 has a continuous smooth outer surface even at the location of the joining of the head and handle.
  • a locking member 32 is provided on the outer surface of stem 24.
  • Stem 24 and cavity 26 are of a complementary shape so that when the stem 24 is fully inserted into the cavity 26 a tight fit will result. The full insertion is achieved when the outer edge 31 of socket member 22 is disposed snugly against shoulder 30 of handle 12.
  • Socket member 22 is made of a material such as a plastic material which is capable of expanding under the pressure of stem 24 being pushed into cavity 26. The expansion permits stem 24 to be fully inserted into cavity 26 until locking member 32 is seated in opening 28. The material of socket member 22 then returns or retracts to its original shape.
  • the material for socket member 22 is a plastic that can expand but is not readily distorted.
  • Locking member 32 may be considered as a snap button which preferably has an inclined outer surface 34 to act as a earning surface to facilitate the movement of stem 24 into cavity 26.
  • cavity 26 is of a tapered shape tapering inwardly away from outer edge 31.
  • stem 24 is of the same or complementary tapered shape tapering inwardly away from shoulder 30.
  • the tapered shape of stem 24 and of cavity 26 is non-circular to facilitate proper registry of locking member 32 with opening 28.
  • FIG. 3A shows a modified form of connection mechanism.
  • stem 22A is provided with a plurality such as two openings 28A,28A.
  • stem 24A has a corresponding number of locking members 32A.
  • Stem 24A would be inserted into cavity 26A in the same manner as described with respect to Figure 3. With the embodiment of Figure 3A, however, the locking would be achieved by having both locking members 32A,32A seated in the respective openings 28A.28A in toothbrush 10A.
  • FIGs 4-6 show a variation of a toothbrush 10B in accordance with this invention.
  • the socket member 22B has a pair of offset openings 28B,28B.
  • Stem 24B has a Z-shaped outer surface resulting in a pair of shoulders 36,36 which are of a size, shape and location to be firmly seated in openings 28B,28B when stem 24B is fully inserted in cavity 26B.
  • Figures 1-6 illustrate practices of the invention wherein the head and handle are mounted together in a manually operated toothbrush
  • the invention may also be practiced where the toothbrush 10D, such as shown in Figure 7, includes a movable section 38 which would have cleaning elements in addition to the cleaning elements 16 on the head 1 D.
  • handle 12D may include batteries and a motor.
  • the motor shaft or an extension of the motor shaft may extend through the stem and could connect with a shaft extension disposed at socket.
  • the movable section 38 may oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head.
  • the movable section may oscillate in and out in a direction toward and away from the outer surface of the head.
  • the movable section may rock back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head.
  • the movable section may rotate continuously in the same direction, rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used for imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural movable sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same type and direction of movement, or combinations of different movements may be used.
  • cleaning elements Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements on the head.
  • cleaning elements is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross- sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions.
  • the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block.
  • cleaning elements are merely for exemplary purposes.
  • the invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.).
  • cleaning element configurations such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, etc.
  • cleaning element materials such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.
  • cleaning elements may be generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the head some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of the head. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums.
  • connection mechanism provides for the ability to mass produce large quantities of handles and heads having different characteristics.
  • the sets of handles and heads could then be permanently secured together in a quick and efficient manner by selecting the appropriate handles and heads and then snapping them together.

Landscapes

  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une brosse à dents (10) composée d'une tête (14) et d'un manche (14) qui sont initialement séparés et distincts l'un de l'autre. La tête (14) et le manche (12) sont fixés l'un à l'autre par un mécanisme de fixation qui est composé d'un élément douille (22) intégré à la tête (14) ou au manche (12) et d'une tige (24) intégrée à l'autre des deux parties (14, 12). L'élément douille (22) comprend une cavité (26) et une ouverture (28) située sur sa surface interne dans la cavité. La tige (24) comprend un élément de verrouillage (32) situé sur sa surface externe. L'élément douille (22) est extensible sous l'effet de la pression. Lorsque la tige (24) est introduite dans la cavité (26), la tige (24) pousse l'élément douille (22) à s'allonger d'une manière suffisante pour permettre à l'élément de verrouillage (32) d'entrer et de venir s'emboîter dans l'ouverture (28) de sorte que lorsque l'élément douille (22) reprend sa taille et sa forme initiales, la tête (14) et le manche (12) soient fermement fixés l'un à l'autre.
PCT/US2003/026729 2002-08-30 2003-08-27 Brosse a dents a tete montee non amovible sur le manche WO2004019728A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003265755A AU2003265755A1 (en) 2002-08-30 2003-08-27 Toothbrush with head non-detachably mounted to handle

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US40717802P 2002-08-30 2002-08-30
US60/407,178 2002-08-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004019728A1 true WO2004019728A1 (fr) 2004-03-11

Family

ID=31978434

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2003/026729 WO2004019728A1 (fr) 2002-08-30 2003-08-27 Brosse a dents a tete montee non amovible sur le manche

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2003265755A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2004019728A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9301821B2 (en) 2011-07-12 2016-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Refill head for powered oral care implement that produces vibratory and oscillatory motion
US9775693B2 (en) 2012-12-11 2017-10-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
WO2018098211A1 (fr) * 2016-11-28 2018-05-31 Colgate-Palmolive Company Article d'hygiène personnelle à tête de remplacement

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3182345A (en) * 1963-05-17 1965-05-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Means for attaching appliance handles to a power drive shank
US3369265A (en) * 1966-07-07 1968-02-20 Vistron Corp Universal toothbrush head
US3927435A (en) * 1972-12-20 1975-12-23 Prod Associes Sa Toothbrush stem attachment
US5247716A (en) * 1991-03-25 1993-09-28 Bock Robert T Removable brush-head for ultrasonic toothbrush
US6546585B1 (en) * 1999-07-06 2003-04-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush with detachable/replaceable head

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3182345A (en) * 1963-05-17 1965-05-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Means for attaching appliance handles to a power drive shank
US3369265A (en) * 1966-07-07 1968-02-20 Vistron Corp Universal toothbrush head
US3927435A (en) * 1972-12-20 1975-12-23 Prod Associes Sa Toothbrush stem attachment
US5247716A (en) * 1991-03-25 1993-09-28 Bock Robert T Removable brush-head for ultrasonic toothbrush
US6546585B1 (en) * 1999-07-06 2003-04-15 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush with detachable/replaceable head

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9301821B2 (en) 2011-07-12 2016-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Refill head for powered oral care implement that produces vibratory and oscillatory motion
US9775693B2 (en) 2012-12-11 2017-10-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
WO2018098211A1 (fr) * 2016-11-28 2018-05-31 Colgate-Palmolive Company Article d'hygiène personnelle à tête de remplacement
RU2726658C1 (ru) * 2016-11-28 2020-07-15 Колгейт-Палмолив Компани Приспособление для личной гигиены со сменной головкой
AU2017365166B2 (en) * 2016-11-28 2020-12-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Personal care implement with replacement head
US11160358B2 (en) 2016-11-28 2021-11-02 Colgate-Palmolive Company Personal care implement with replacement head
EP4327694A3 (fr) * 2016-11-28 2024-05-01 Colgate-Palmolive Company Article d'hygiène personnelle à tête de remplacement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003265755A1 (en) 2004-03-19

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