EP0708609B1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents
Toothbrush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0708609B1 EP0708609B1 EP93925122A EP93925122A EP0708609B1 EP 0708609 B1 EP0708609 B1 EP 0708609B1 EP 93925122 A EP93925122 A EP 93925122A EP 93925122 A EP93925122 A EP 93925122A EP 0708609 B1 EP0708609 B1 EP 0708609B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bristles
- toe
- heel portion
- extending
- heel
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- A46B9/026—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat
-
- 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
-
- 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
- the present invention relates to toothbrushes, and more particularly, to toothbrushes which exhibit a three-dimensional bristle profile to provide improved cleaning of interproximal and gingival margin regions.
- Toothbrushing and flossing are fundamental steps in achieving good oral hygiene. Flossing, unfortunately, has not met with widespread acceptance amongst the general populace. Furthermore, even people who floss, oftentimes, do not perform adequate flossing in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Accordingly, the importance of providing a brush which achieves improved cleaning along hard-to-reach areas like the gingival margin and interproximal regions is heightened. Unfortunately, while most commercially available toothbrushes clean the outer buccal face of teeth adequately, they fail to provide improved cleaning of plaque and debris from the gingival margin, interproximal areas and other hard to reach areas of the mouth.
- the present invention comprises a toothbrush having a head with a grooved "heel” portion which is particularly suited to cleaning the gingival margin and a "toe” portion which is particularly suited to interproximal cleaning.
- a toothbrush having a head with a grooved "heel” portion which is particularly suited to cleaning the gingival margin
- a "toe" portion which is particularly suited to interproximal cleaning.
- an angled "toe" portion exhibits improved cleaning in areas of the mouth which are difficult to reach with standard toothbrushes.
- Toothbrushes having a groove centered longitudinally along the entire bristle pattern are generally known to those skilled in the art. Oral-B Laboratories, Redwood City, CA, markets the "ORTHO" brush which is intended to more effectively clean debris from orthodontic brackets and wires.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,020,521 to Velasquez has such a groove in the shape of a V.
- U.S. Patent No. 3,722,020 to Hills describes a toothbrush which includes a generally planar head portion having a plurality of bristles forming a concave surface.
- Applicants believe that these prior art toothbrushes do not exhibit all of the operating characteristics identified hereinafter as important in simultaneously improved interproximal and gingival margin cleaning.
- toothbrushes having a distinct "toe" surface along the side profile of the brush head are also generally known to those skilled in the art.
- U.S. Patent No. 4,800,608 to Key describes a toothbrush wherein the head is bent at a fixed obtuse angle. The Key brush is said to provide superior cleaning of the lingual, buccal, embrasure, and distal aspects of the teeth and gums.
- U.S. Patent No. 1,639,880 to Butler discloses a toothbrush having a curved head with two sets of bristles, including toe and heel portions. However, the toe portion is not wedge-shaped and the heel portion is not provided with a groove.
- 1,018,927 to Sarrazin discloses a toothbrush having toe and heel portions but these portions do not include all of the features of the present invention.
- U.S. Patent Nos. 4,712,267 to Cheng; 5,046,212 to Conke; 1,337,173 to White; 1,440,785 to Levis; 1,927,365 to Frolio; and Des. 49,472 to Dierke relate generally to toothbrushes with concave side-view heads. However, it is believed that these known prior art toothbrushes also do not exhibit all of the operating characteristics identified hereinafter as important in simultaneously improved interproximal and gingival margin cleaning.
- a toothbrush which exhibits superior interproximal and gingival margin cleaning.
- the toothbrush includes an elongated handle member connected to a toothbrush head member.
- the head is divided into two regions.
- a "toe” region is defined as the part of the head which is furthest from the handle and a “heel” region is the portion of the head which is closest to the handle.
- a multiplicity of bristles extend from the heel region of the head; the distal ends of these bristles form a longitudinally aligned concave shape when viewed on end.
- the concave shape is in the form of a groove which extends the entire length of the heel portion, the distal ends of the bristles of the heel portion proximal to the toe portion forming a generally linear profile when viewed from the side.
- a multiplicity of bristles extend from the toe region of the head, wherein said bristles extending from the toe portion of the head are at least as tall as the bristles extending from the heel portion when viewed from the side and wherein the side profile view of the distal ends of all of the bristles extending from the toe portion forms a generally linear surface which forms an obtuse angle relative to the generally linear profile of the distal ends of the bristles extending from the heel portion proximal to the toe portion resulting in a wedge shape with the tallest toe portion bristles being at the end of the head which is distal to the handle.
- preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a toothbrush, generally indicated as 10 , which achieves improved cleaning of the gingival margin in combination with improved interproximal cleaning.
- the toothbrush includes an elongated handle member 12 , a head member 14 and a multiplicity of bristles 16 .
- the handle member and the head member are fabricated of the same material as a single injection molded piece, although a multiple material fabrication is also possible.
- the handle and head portions may be joined by a neck member 18 which is often narrower in cross-section than either the handle 12 or head 14 .
- the head portion of toothbrushes according to the present invention is comprised of two portions.
- a “toe” portion 20 is the portion of the head located distal to the handle.
- the "heel” portion 22 is the portion of the head which is located proximal to the handle end of the head.
- a key feature of the present invention resides in the particular topical representation produced by the distal ends of these bristles.
- the particular topical representation is achieved by utilizing distinct relative bristle height patterns in the heel 22 and toe 20 regions. Accordingly, a variety of tufting patterns, such as those depicted in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 achieve the desired result and are contemplated by the present invention.
- the distal ends of the bristles of the heel region proximal to the toe region form a generally linear profile when viewed from the side and the side profile view of all of the bristles of the toe region forms a generally linear surface forming an obtuse angle relative to the linear profile of the heel region bristles, the side profile of the toe region resulting in a wedge shape with the tallest toe region bristles being at the end of the head distal to the handle.
- FIGs 4, 5, 6 and 7 are end view depictions of the heel portion 22 of toothbrushes according to the present invention.
- the heel region bristles 24 are characterized from a longitudinally aligned concave groove shape 28 which extends the entire length of the heel region bristles.
- this concave shape 28 forms a "V", as in Figure 4.
- other shapes such as "U” ( Figure 5) or a stepwise "V" trim of individual tufts, are also contemplated by the present invention.
- Figure 6 is a perspective view of preferred groove-cut 28 utilizing the "V"-trim pattern of Figure 4.
- the toe bristles 30 have been removed for clarity.
- the groove should be cut at a depth of from about 0.156 cm to about 0.469 cm (1/16 inches to about 3/16 inches) to form angle B . It is apparent that the depth and width of the groove 28 is generally uniform along the longitudinal length of the heel portion 22 .
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternate groove-cut 28 utilizing the "V"-trim pattern of Figure 4.
- the toe bristles 30 have been removed for clarity. It is apparent that the depth and width of the groove 28 is not constant along the longitudinal length of the heel portion 22 . The depth and width decreases as the groove 28 approaches the handle 12 to form an upward slope relative to the surface of the heel portion of the head 22 .
- Figures 6 and 7 are intended to depict preferred embodiments. Other slopes, such as a shallow-to-deep-to-shallow cut, are also contemplated by the present invention.
- the groove cut 28 in the heel 22 has proved to be particularly suited at cleaning along the gingival margin 34 as seen in Figure 12 .
- Figures 8, 9 and 10 are side profile views of the toothbrush heads of Figures 1, 2 and 3, respectively. These Figures are particularly useful in exemplifying the relationship between the bristles on the toe portion 30 of the head in relation to the bristles on the heel portion 24 of the brush. It is key to note the topology produced by the distal ends of the bristles as it is an important characteristic of the present invention.
- Figures 8. 9 and 10 When viewed from the side, as in Figures 8. 9 and 10, the preferred "angled-toe" or wedge-shape effect which is observed along the bristle tips of the toe vs. the heel is observed. This interface results in angle ⁇ which is generally from about 0° to about 45°, preferably from about 10° to about 25°. This toe provides deeper bristle-tooth contact along the back of the tooth and into the interproximal areas 32. See Fig. 11.
- Figures 8, 9 and 10 utilize different approaches to achieve a similar bristle tip topology.
- the toe 20 and heel 22 portions of the head reside on the same general plane.
- the bristles 30 on the toe 20 gradually increase in length as they approach the distal end 36 of the brush.
- the plane of the toe 20 and heel 22 are also generally the same.
- the angle ⁇ on the bristle tips is produced by inserting the tufts at an angle into the toe portion of the head.
- the angle ⁇ can be greater than oil less than the angle of the toe tuft holes since the bristle tips can be trimmed independently.
- Figure 10 provides the angle viewed at the bristle tips by bending the head of the toothbrush at the toe/heel interface to an angle of about a .
- the obtuse angle of bend a should be from about 115° to about 170°, most preferably from about 155° to about 170°.
- the bristles of the present invention must be stiff enough to penetrate and remove plaque and debris from the interproximal spaces, yet must be soft enough to penetrate the gingival margin and remove debris and plaque without causing irritation and bleeding. End-rounded bristle lips are preferred.
- any conventional bristle material may be utilized in the present invention.
- Nylon and polyester are preferred bristle materials. Nylon is the most preferred.
- the height of the toe bristles is from about 0.938 cm to about 1.328 cm (12/32 to about 17/32 inches) and the height of the heel bristles ranges from about 0.625 cm to about 1.094 cm (8/32 to about 14/32 inches).
Abstract
Description
Claims (16)
- A toothbrush exhibiting superior interproximal and gingival margin cleaning comprising:(a) an elongated handle member (12);(b) a head member (14) connected to one end of the handle member (12) comprised of a "toe" portion (20) distal to the handle and a "heel" portion (22) proximal to the handle and adjacent said toe portion;(c) a multiplicity of bristles (24) extending from the heel portion (22), the distal ends of said bristles forming a longitudinally aligned concave shape; and(d) a multiplicity of bristles (30) extending front the toe portion (20); characterized in that the longitudinally aligned concave shape is a groove (28) which extends the entire length of the heel portion (22), and the distal ends of the bristles of the heel portion proximal to said toe portion (20) form a generally linear profile when viewed from the side, and in that the side profile view of the distal ends of all of the bristles extending from the toe portion forms a generally linear surface which forms an obtuse angle relative to said generally linear profile of the distal ends of the bristles extending from the heel portion proximal to said toe portion, and the side profile of the toe portion results in a wedge-shape with the tallest toe portion bristles being at the end of the head (14) which is distal to said handle (12).
- A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the concave groove (28) of the heel portion (22) is provided at a depth of from about 0.156 cm to about 0.469 cm (1/16 inches to about 3/16 inches).
- A toothbrush according to claim 2, wherein the distal ends of the heel portion bristles (24) form a substantially aligned general "V" shape end profile.
- A toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein the heel portion bristles (24) are nylon and have a maximum height of from about 0.625 cm to about 1.094 cm (8/32 inches to about 14/32 inches).
- A toothbrush according to claim 4, wherein the toe portion bristles (30) have a maximum height relative to the general plane of the heel portion of the head of from about 0.938 cm to about 1.328 cm (12/32 inches to about 17/32 inches).
- A toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein the head member (14) provides a generally planar surface proximal to the bristles.
- A toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein the toe portion bristles (30) are perpendicular to plane of the head member (14).
- A toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein said bristles (30) extending from the toe portion (20) of the head (14) are taller than the height of said bristles (24) extending from the heel portion (22) when viewed from the side and wherein the side profile view of the distal ends of the bristles extending from the toe portion form a generally linear surface which forms an angle relative to the plane of the bristles extending from the heel portion of from about 10° to about 25° declining from the edge of the toe portion distal to the heel portion to the edge of the toe portion which is proximal to the heel portion.
- A toothbrush according to claim 8, wherein the distal ends of the bristles are rounded.
- A toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein the toe portion bristles (30) are positioned at an obtuse angle relative to the plane of the head member (14).
- A toothbrush according to claim 10, wherein said bristles (30) extending from the toe portion (20) of the head (14) are taller than the height of said bristles (24) extending from the heel portion (22) when viewed from the side and wherein the side profile view of the distal ends of the bristles extending from the toe portion forms a generally linear surface which forms an angle relative to the plane of the bristles extending from the heel portion of from about 15° to about 25° declining from the edge of the toe portion distal to the heel portion to the edge of the toe portion which is proximal to the heel portion.
- A toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein the distal ends of the bristles are rounded.
- A toothbrush according to claim 5, wherein the toe portion (20) of the head (14) is affixed to the heel portion (22) to form an obtuse angle of from about 115° to about 170° relative to the profile of the distal ends of the bristles on the heel portion of the head member.
- A toothbrush according to claim 13, wherein said bristles (30) extending from the toe portion (20) of the head (14) are taller than the height of said bristles (24) extending from the heel portion (22) when viewed from the side and wherein the side profile view of the distal ends of the bristles extending from the toe portion forms a generally linear surface which forms an angle relative to the plane of the bristles extending from the heel portion of from about 10° to about 25° declining from the edge of the toe portion distal to the heel portion to the edge of the toe portion which is proximal to the heel portion.
- A toothbrush according to claim 14, wherein the toe portion (20) of the head (14) is affixed to the heel portion (22) to form an obtuse angle of from about 155° to about 170° relative to the profile of the distal ends of the bristles on the heel portion of the head member.
- A toothbrush according to claim 15, wherein the distal ends of the bristles are rounded.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US97032792A | 1992-11-02 | 1992-11-02 | |
US970327 | 1992-11-02 | ||
PCT/US1993/010401 WO1994009678A1 (en) | 1992-11-02 | 1993-10-29 | Toothbrush |
US08/803,704 US5742972A (en) | 1993-11-02 | 1997-02-21 | Toothbrush |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0708609A4 EP0708609A4 (en) | 1995-10-23 |
EP0708609A1 EP0708609A1 (en) | 1996-05-01 |
EP0708609B1 true EP0708609B1 (en) | 1998-12-23 |
Family
ID=27122621
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP93925122A Expired - Lifetime EP0708609B1 (en) | 1992-11-02 | 1993-10-29 | Toothbrush |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0708609B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1053095C (en) |
AU (1) | AU669765B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2148243C (en) |
IL (1) | IL107381A (en) |
PL (1) | PL173112B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994009678A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA937969B (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6408476B1 (en) | 1996-01-18 | 2002-06-25 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Toothbrush with elastomer filled flexible head |
US6514445B1 (en) | 1996-12-24 | 2003-02-04 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Brush making |
US6886207B1 (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2005-05-03 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Toothbrush |
US8584299B2 (en) | 2003-04-23 | 2013-11-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Electric toothbrushes |
Families Citing this family (29)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT230510Y1 (en) * | 1993-11-22 | 1999-06-07 | Avantgarde Spa | TOOTHBRUSH WITH BRISTLES AT A PROGRESSIVELY DECREASING HEIGHT TOWARDS THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE BRUSH HEAD |
ATE207321T1 (en) * | 1994-12-01 | 2001-11-15 | Procter & Gamble | TOOTHBRUSH WITH EXTENDED BRISTLES |
US5628082A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1997-05-13 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with improved efficacy |
EP1097655A3 (en) * | 1995-08-22 | 2003-02-12 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrushes |
WO1997007706A2 (en) * | 1995-08-22 | 1997-03-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrushes |
JP3347930B2 (en) * | 1995-12-28 | 2002-11-20 | ライオン株式会社 | Toothbrush |
US6996870B2 (en) | 1995-12-29 | 2006-02-14 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Contouring toothbrush head |
TW384214B (en) | 1995-12-29 | 2000-03-11 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Contouring toothbrush head |
US5655249A (en) * | 1996-04-24 | 1997-08-12 | Li; Jian-Ren | Toothbrush with concave brushing surface |
JP2001521407A (en) * | 1996-08-20 | 2001-11-06 | ザ、プロクター、エンド、ギャンブル、カンパニー | Toothbrush with multidirectional bristle profile |
US5946758A (en) | 1997-06-24 | 1999-09-07 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush having contouring multi-component head with peel-resistant joint and limited flexibility |
US5863102A (en) | 1997-06-24 | 1999-01-26 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Method and apparatus to permit attachment of bristles to toothbrushes with resiliently flexible heads and to thereafter permit the trimming and end rounding of such bristles |
US6308367B1 (en) | 1997-11-12 | 2001-10-30 | Gillette Canada Company | Toothbrush |
US6353959B1 (en) * | 2000-03-17 | 2002-03-12 | V Andrew R. Thomas | Toothbrush |
GB2372432A (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2002-08-28 | Dyson Ltd | A cleaning head with side bristles for a vacuum cleaner |
KR100416418B1 (en) * | 2001-03-30 | 2004-01-31 | 주식회사 엘지생활건강 | Tooth brush having highly bristled region |
US7841041B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2010-11-30 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
US8876221B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2014-11-04 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
US8990996B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2015-03-31 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US8806695B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2014-08-19 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions |
US7941886B2 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2011-05-17 | Braun Gmbh | Toothbrushes |
US8863345B2 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2014-10-21 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having a closed-loop arrangement of cleaning elements |
USD675830S1 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2013-02-12 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
AU2013404989B2 (en) | 2013-11-05 | 2016-11-17 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
WO2015069221A1 (en) | 2013-11-05 | 2015-05-14 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
AU2013404990B2 (en) | 2013-11-05 | 2016-11-17 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
USD749855S1 (en) | 2013-11-05 | 2016-02-23 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
USD764804S1 (en) | 2013-11-05 | 2016-08-30 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
CN108577153B (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2020-02-07 | 赵媛媛 | Portable toothbrush and toothpaste integrated device |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US669402A (en) * | 1900-04-21 | 1901-03-05 | Carl Roese | Tooth-brush. |
US1018927A (en) * | 1911-07-14 | 1912-02-27 | Jules J Sarrazin | Tooth-brush. |
US1639880A (en) * | 1925-02-20 | 1927-08-23 | Butler Joseph Bernard | Toothbrush |
CH333001A (en) * | 1958-03-29 | 1958-09-30 | Mundwyler Walter | Device for massaging the gums |
US4020521A (en) * | 1975-04-11 | 1977-05-03 | Velasquez Robert L | Toothbrush |
-
1993
- 1993-10-25 IL IL107381A patent/IL107381A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-10-26 ZA ZA937969A patent/ZA937969B/en unknown
- 1993-10-29 AU AU54556/94A patent/AU669765B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1993-10-29 PL PL93308672A patent/PL173112B1/en unknown
- 1993-10-29 CA CA002148243A patent/CA2148243C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-10-29 EP EP93925122A patent/EP0708609B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-10-29 WO PCT/US1993/010401 patent/WO1994009678A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1993-11-02 CN CN93114203A patent/CN1053095C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6408476B1 (en) | 1996-01-18 | 2002-06-25 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Toothbrush with elastomer filled flexible head |
US6514445B1 (en) | 1996-12-24 | 2003-02-04 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Brush making |
US6886207B1 (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2005-05-03 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Toothbrush |
US7707676B2 (en) | 1999-06-14 | 2010-05-04 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Toothbrush |
US8584299B2 (en) | 2003-04-23 | 2013-11-19 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Electric toothbrushes |
US8955186B2 (en) | 2003-04-23 | 2015-02-17 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Electric toothbrushes |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2148243A1 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
EP0708609A1 (en) | 1996-05-01 |
IL107381A0 (en) | 1994-01-25 |
CN1088768A (en) | 1994-07-06 |
ZA937969B (en) | 1995-01-30 |
AU669765B2 (en) | 1996-06-20 |
AU5455694A (en) | 1994-05-24 |
IL107381A (en) | 1998-01-04 |
WO1994009678A1 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
EP0708609A4 (en) | 1995-10-23 |
PL173112B1 (en) | 1998-01-30 |
CA2148243C (en) | 1997-12-16 |
PL308672A1 (en) | 1995-08-21 |
CN1053095C (en) | 2000-06-07 |
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