WO2018102383A1

WO2018102383A1 - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2018102383A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/063659
Authority: WO
Inventors: Curtis Taylor; Deborah DA SILVA; M. Narendra KINI
Original assignee: Kidzstuff, Inc.
Priority date: 2016-11-29
Filing date: 2017-11-29
Publication date: 2018-06-07

Abstract

A toothbrush including a brush head assembly, the brush head assembly includes at least three substantially rigid brush heads each including a plurality of bristles. A first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads each is resiliently coupled to and is symmetric about a second one of the at least three brush heads. A first resilient joint is molded between the first one and the second of the at least three brush heads. A second resilient joint is molded between the second one and the third of the at least three brush heads.

Description

TOOTHBRUSH

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to toothbrushes.

BACKGROUND

The toothbrush has basically been the same design for decades: an elongate handle with a single brush head at the distal end. This age-old design, while utilitarian, has many drawbacks including the inability to simultaneously brush all faces of a particular tooth at once. Thus, the time it takes to brush the entire surface of the teeth can be many minutes, which for children, can seem like an eternity.

Multi-headed toothbrushes have been devised in an effort to clean multiple faces of the teeth at once. However, such brushes included rigid brush heads, which makes brushing particularly uncomfortable, or included brush heads that do not conform to the particular user's teeth.

SUMMARY

The present invention advantageously provides for a toothbrush including a brush head assembly, the brush head assembly includes at least three substantially rigid brush heads each including a plurality of bristles. A first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads each is resiliently coupled to and is symmetric about a second one of the at least three brush heads. A first resilient joint is molded between the first one and the second of the at least three brush heads. A second resilient joint is molded between the second one and the third of the at least three brush heads.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first one and the second one of the at least three bush heads defines a first gap therebetween and the second one and the third one of the at least three brush heads defines a second gap therebetween, and wherein the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint includes a resilient material molded within the first gap and the second gap respectively.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint each define a frustoconical shape.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint each define a concavity. In another aspect of this embodiment, the first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads each include two substantially rigid portions and a resilient portion sandwiched between the two substantially rigid portions.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads extend outwardly away from the second of the at least three brush heads at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads flex independently of each other with respect to the second one of the at least three brush heads.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint each define a substantially coplanar surface with a rigid surface between adjacent brush heads of the at least three brush heads.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint entirely fill the first gap and the second gap respectively.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint are composed of TPU.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the brush head assembly is sized to fit within a mouth of an infant.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the plurality bristles are configured to brush teeth within a mouth of an infant.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the plurality of bristles of the second one of the at least three brush heads extend through a portion of the plurality of bristles of the first and third of the at least three brush heads.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first resilient joint extends entirely along a length of the first one of the at least three brushes and the second resilient joint extends entirely along a length of the second one of the at least three brushes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of toothbrush of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a zoomed in view of the brush assembly of the toothbrush shown in

FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of toothbrush of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of toothbrush of the present application; and

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the various sizes of the toothbrushes shown in

FIG. 1 and FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an exemplary toothbrush constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application and designated generally as "10." The toothbrush 10 may include a handle 12 configured to be gripped by the hand of a user. The handle 12 may include a first portion 14 molded to an opposite a second portion 16 that collectively define the handle. The first portion 14 may be composed of a substantially rigid material, for example, plastics such as polycarbonate and may further define a substantially oblong shape to contour the shape the user's hand when the handle 12 is gripped. The second portion 16 of the handle 12 may be composed of a substantially resilient material, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer such as TPU, to provide a cushioned surface for the user to grip.

The handle 12 may further be tapered in width along its major longitudinal axis extending from a distal end 18 of the handle 12 to a proximal end 20 of the handle 12. For example, the proximal end 20 of the handle 12 may define a smaller transverse width than the transverse width of the distal end 18 of the handle 12. The tapered width of the handle may operate to guide the user's hand to the desired position along the handle 12 to properly position the toothbrush 10 for use within the user's mouth. Positioned on the surface of the first portion 14 may be a gripping element 22. The gripping element 22 may be molded to the first portion 14 and may be composed of the same or substantially the same material as the second portion 16. In an exemplary configuration, the gripping element 22 is sized for a human thumb to press against the gripping element 22.

Extending from the distal 18 of the handle 12 is a necked portion 24. The necked portion 24 may be continuous with the first portion 14 and composed of the same of substantially the same material as the first portion 14. In an exemplary configuration, the necked portion 24 has a smaller width than that of the handle 12 and a portion of the necked portion 24 is sloped with respect to the major longitudinal axis defined by the handle 12. In particular, a proximal portion 26 of necked portion 24 may be sloped downward with respect to the first portion 14 when the first portion 14 is positioned on top of the second portion 16. A distal portion 28 of the necked portion 24 may be angled with respect to the proximal portion 26 to be substantially parallel to the major axis defined by the handle 12 such that an angle is defined between the proximal portion 26 and the distal portion 28.

Extending distally from the distal portion 28 of the necked portion 24 is a brush head assembly 30 sized to fit within a mouth of an infant or an adult. The brush head assembly 30 includes a plurality of brush heads 32. In an exemplary configuration three brush heads 32a, 32b, and 32c are included, although any number of brush heads 32 are contemplated. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 , brush heads 32a and 32c extend symmetrically outward and away from brush heads 32b at approximately 45 degree angles, although any angle is contemplated. In particular, brush heads 32a and 32c may be resiliently biased at between 30 degree and 60 degree angles with respect bush head 32b. For example, brush head 32b may be disposed on the brush head assembly 30 substantially planar and continuous with distal portion 28 of necked portion 28, with bristles 34 extending outward therefrom, and brush heads 32a and 32c may extend outward from brush head 32b, with bristles 34 extending therefrom configured to brush the teeth of user. In one configuration, the bristles 34 of brush head 32b extend through a portion of the bristles 34 of brush heads 32a and 32c.

Brush heads 32 may be at least partially composed of a substantially rigid material, for example, plastic and may be co-molded or over molded with a resilient material, for example, a TPE such as TPU. For example, brush head 32a may include resilient portion 36a disposed within a portion of the brush head 32a. In an exemplary configuration resilient portion 36a is sandwiched between two substantially rigid portions of the brush head 32a such that it is molded within a slot defined by the brush head 32a. Similarly, brush head 32c may include resilient portion 36c sandwiched between two substantially rigid portions of the brush head 32c. In other

configurations, no resilient portions 36a are included and brush heads 32a and 32c may be composed of only rigid materials or on one of the brush heads 32a and 32c includes the resilient portion 36.

Disposed between brush heads 32a and 32b and between 32b and 32 are joints

38a and 38b respectively, collectively referred to as joints 38. The joints 38 are composed of a resilient material, for example, the same or similar material to that of the resilient portions 36. The joints 38 may be over molded or injection molded between a gap defined between brush heads 32a and 32b and between brush heads 32b and 32c. In particular, while the brush heads 32 may be physically connected by a rigid material, a gap is formed between brush heads 32a and 32b and between brush heads 32b and 32c to receive a respective joint 38 which allows brush heads 32 and 32c to resiliently flex independently with respect to brush head 32b. Each joint 38 may define a substantially coplanar surface with the rigid surface between adjacent brush heads 32 as the joint extends entirely through the gap. This configuration allows each brush head 32a and 32c to flex while still providing some rigidity. In one configuration, each joint defined a concavity 40 to provide for greater flexibility. In particular, the joints 38 may define a substantially elongate pyramidal or frustoconical shape, with the base of the pyramid positioned distal to the proximal end of the bristles 34. The base of the joints may define the concavity 40 or an indentation (FIG. 5) which not only provides for increased flexibility, but for increased resilience. In one configuration, the respective joints 38 extend entirely along the length of respective brush heads 32 and 32c. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3, two joints 38 are included, but any number of joints 38 may be molded between the brush heads 32 and each joint may fill a portion or the entirety of the respective gap. As shown in FIG. 6, depending on the size of the user's mouth, the size of the brush head assembly 30 and the corresponding brush heads 32 may be larger or smaller. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A toothbrush, comprising:

a brush head assembly, the brush head assembly including at least three substantially rigid brush heads each including a plurality of bristles; a first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads each being resiliently coupled to and being symmetric about a second one of the at least three brush heads;

a first resilient joint molded between the first one and the second of the at least three brush heads; and

a second resilient joint molded between the second one and the third of the at least three brush heads.

2. The toothbrush of Claim 1, wherein the first one and the second one of the at least three bush heads defines a first gap therebetween and the second one and the third one of the at least three brush heads defines a second gap therebetween, and wherein the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint includes a resilient material molded within the first gap and the second gap respectively.

3. The toothbrush of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint each define a frustoconical shape.

4. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint each define a concavity.

5. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-4, wherein the first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads each include two substantially rigid portions and a resilient portion sandwiched between the two substantially rigid portions.

6. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-5, wherein the first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads extend outwardly away from the second of the at least three brush heads at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees.

7. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-6, wherein the first one and a third one of the at least three brush heads flex independently of each other with respect to the second one of the at least three brush heads.

8. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-7, wherein the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint each define a substantially coplanar surface with a rigid surface between adjacent brush heads of the at least three brush heads.

9. The toothbrush of Claim 2, wherein the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint entirely fill the first gap and the second gap respectively.

10. The toothbrush of anyone of Claims 1-9, wherein the first resilient joint and the second resilient joint are composed of TPU.

11. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-10, wherein the brush head assembly is sized to fit within a mouth of an infant.

12. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-11, wherein the plurality bristles are configured to brush teeth within a mouth of an infant.

13. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-12, wherein the plurality of bristles of the second one of the at least three brush heads extend through a portion of the plurality of bristles of the first and third of the at least three brush heads.

14. The toothbrush of any one of Claims 1-13, wherein the first resilient joint extends entirely along a length of the first one of the at least three brushes and the second resilient joint extends entirely along a length of the second one of the at least three brushes.