ORTHODONTIC TOOTHBRUSH

BROSSE A DENTS ORTHODONTIQUE

English Abstract

A toothbrush for use by wearers of orthodontic appliances comprises an
elongated handle, a neck and a head. The bristles are designed so that the outermost
rows are relatively soft and of long length, the bristles in the pattern gradually shortening
in length and becoming stiffer, with the shortest and stiffest bristles being positioned
along the center rows of the brush's longitudinal centerline axis. Also, the center rows
of bristles are formed to be angled at their ends to reduce the pressure required to
deflect the bristles beneath brace elements thus reducing undue pressure against the
gums. Furthermore, a flexible member compressibly supports the center rows of bristles.
The toothbrush also comprises an outer bumper protectively surrounding the toothbrush
head. Moreover, a further embodiment of the invention has a lower tuft of bristles
projecting from the lower portion of the handle.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A toothbrush comprising:
an elongated handle,
an angled neck connected to said elongated handle,
a head portion connected to said angled neck longitudinally opposite from said
elongated handle and having a longitudinally oriented centerline thereof, said
head portion
having an inside and an outside surface both of which are peripherally
bordered by a sidewall
therearound,
a plurality of tufts having a plurality of bristles therein, said plurality of
bristles being
arranged in a pattern projecting transversely from said inside surface of said
head portion,
said pattern of said plurality of bristles having outside rows and medial rows
extending along
said center line, said pattern comprising a continuously decreasing length of
bristle from an
outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a shortest of said
plurality of bristles located
closest to said centerline of said head portion,
said plurality of bristles also gradually varying in stiffness from a minimum
stiffness
at the outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a maximum stiffness
located at the
plurality of bristles located closest to the centerline of said plurality of
bristles in said pattern,
said plurality of bristles in said outside rows being substantially straight
along their
entire length and projecting perpendicular from a plane substantially parallel
to said inside
surface of said head portion,
said medial rows having lower bristle portions thereupon, said lower bristle
portions
projecting generally perpendicular from a plane substantially parallel to said
inside surface,
said medial rows having top portions thereupon, said top portions being angled
inward
toward said centerline of said head portion; and
said outermost located of said plurality of bristles having end portions
thereupon
thereby creating an end plane, said end plane being substantially parallel to
said inside
surface.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 further comprising a flexible member located
centrally
adjacent to said inside surface, said medial rows being attached to said
flexible member and
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extending therefrom, whereby said flexible member allows said medial rows of
bristles to
move toward and away from said inside surface of said head portion.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said flexible member is a solid block of
spongy
material.
4. The toothbrush of claim 3 further comprising a cavity centrally formed
below said
head's inside surface, said cavity having inside walls, said cavity acting to
locate and hold
said flexible member therewithin.
5. The toothbrush of claim 4 further comprising:
a substantially transparent window,
said cavity extending from said head's inside surface to said outside surface,
thereby
forming an opening centrally located therewithin; and
said window being retained within said outside surface opening, whereby said
flexible
member is visible from both said inside and said outside surfaces of said
toothbrush head.
6. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein:
said flexible member includes a top surface and a bottom surface, both being
generally parallel to said head portion's inside surface, said top and said
bottom surfaces
being peripherally connected by walls extending therebetween, said top and
said bottom
surfaces being generally separated by an air pocket; and
said top surface having a plurality of openings therein, whereby when said
medial
rows of bristles compress said top surface of said flexible member, said air
can escape
through in said plurality of openings in said top surface.
7. The toothbrush of claim 6 wherein said flexible member comprises a
synthetic
elastomeric material.
8. The toothbrush of claim 1 further comprising a bumper located adjacent to
and
covering said sidewall of said head portion.
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9. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein said bumper has a cross sectional U-shape
for
fitting snugly against said head portion sidewall and against the outermost
portion of said
inside surface and said outside surface.
10. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said bumper comprises a synthetic
elastomeric
material.
11. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein:
said elongated handle has a lower portion remote from said head portion; and
a lower tuft having a plurality of bristles therein, said plurality of
bristles generally
extending perpendicular from said lower portion of said elongated handle.
12. A toothbrush comprising:
an elongated handle,
an angled neck connected to said elongated handle,
a head portion connected to said angled neck longitudinally opposite from said
elongated handle and having a longitudinally oriented centerline thereof, said
head portion
having an inside and an outside surface both of which are peripherally
bordered by a sidewall
therearound,
a plurality of tufts having a plurality of bristles therein, said plurality of
bristles being
arranged in a pattern projecting transversely from said inside surface of said
head portion,
said pattern of said plurality of bristles having outside rows and medial
rows, extending along
said centerline, said pattern comprising a continuously decreasing length of
bristle from an
outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a shortest of said
plurality of bristles located
closest to said centerline of said head portion,
said plurality of bristles also gradually varying in stiffness from a minimum
stiffness
at the outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a maximum stiffness
located at the
plurality of bristles located closest to the centerline of said plurality of
bristles in said pattern,
said plurality of bristles in said outside rows projecting perpendicular from
a plane
substantially parallel to said inside surface of said head portion,
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said medial rows having lower bristle portions thereupon, said lower bristle
portions
projecting generally perpendicular from a plane substantially parallel to said
inside surface,
said medial rows having top portions thereupon, said top portions being angled
inward
toward said centerline of said head portion,
said outermost located of said plurality of bristles having end portions
thereupon
thereby creating an end plane, said end plane being substantially parallel to
said inside
surface,
a flexible member located centrally adjacent to said inside surface, said
medial rows
being attached to said flexible member and extending therefrom, whereby said
flexible
member allows said medial rows of bristles to move toward and away from said
inside
surface of said head portion; and
a bumper having a cross sectional U-shape for fitting snugly against said head
portion
sidewall and only against the outermost portion of said inside surface and
said outside surface
so as to be substantially clear of said outside surface of said head portion.
13. A toothbrush comprising:
an elongated handle,
a neck connected to said elongated handle,
a head portion connected to said neck longitudinally opposite from said
elongated
handle, said head portion having an inside and an outside surface both of
which are
peripherally bordered by a sidewall therearound,
a plurality of tufts having a plurality of bristles therein, said plurality of
bristles being
arranged in a pattern projecting from said inside surface of said head
portion, said pattern of
said plurality of bristles having outside rows and medial rows,
a flexible member located centrally adjacent to said inside surface, said
medial rows
of bristles being attached to said flexible member and extending therefrom,
whereby said
flexible member allows said medial rows of bristles to move toward and away
from said
inside surface of said head portion; and
said outside rows of bristles being attached to a rigid section of said head
portion
transversely adjacent to said flexible member.
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14. The toothbrush of claim 13 wherein:
said flexible member includes a top surface and a bottom surface, both being
generally parallel to said head portion's inside surface, said top and said
bottom surfaces
being peripherally connected by walls extending therebetween, said top and
said bottom
surfaces being generally separated by an air pocket; and
said top surface having a plurality of openings therein, whereby when said
medial
rows of bristles compress said top surface of said flexible member, said air
can escape
through said plurality of openings in said top surface.
15. The toothbrush of claim 13 wherein said flexible member is a solid block
of spongy
material.
12

Description

ORTHODONTIC TOOTHBRUSH
BACKGROUND OF TIC INVENTION
This invention relates generally to toothbrushes, and specifically to
toothbrushes for use by wearers of various orthodontic devices such as braces.
Considerable difficulty has been encountered by wearers of orthodontic
devices in keeping the teeth clean and free from plaque by brushing with
conventional
toothbrushes. It is difficult to apply enough pressure to overcome the
impeding effect
of the braces without injuring the gums and to obtain thorough access to all
of the
exposed tooth surfaces with the conventional toothbrush bristles. Sufficient
pressure must
be applied to the bristles so as to reach behind the brace elements.
Furthermore, the
presence of braces require a back and forth brushing motion which creates
undue
pressure, thus tending to result in pyorrhea.
SLTMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a toothbrush containing an
elongated handle, a neck and a head has a bristle design and pattern which
promotes
effective brushing of the teeth while minimizing damage to the gums and allows
for
effective brushing action on all of the tooth surfaces despite the presence of
orthodontic
devices. The bristles are designed so that the outermost rows are relatively
soft and of
long length, the bristles in the pattern gradually shortening in length and
becoming stiffer,
with the shortest and stiffest bristles being positioned along the center rows
of the brush's

longitudinal centerline axis. Also, the center rows of bristles are formed to
be angled at
their ends to reduce the pressure required to deflect the bristles beneath the
brace
elements thus reducing undue pressure against the gums. Furthermore, a
flean'ble
member compressibly supports the center rows of bristles. This reduced
pressure avoids
the tendency to develop pyorrhea disease.
The present invention is also comprised of aR outer bumper protectively
surrounding the toothbrush head. Moreover, a further embodiment of the
invention has
a lower tuft of bristles projecting from the lower portion of the handle.
Therefore, the
present invention not only protects the user's gums but also protects the
orthodontic
devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a
reading of a detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in
which:
Figure 1 depicts the toothbrush of the present invention in relation to an
orthodontic device and tooth;
Figure 2 is a side perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of
a toothbrush arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention;
Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the toothbrush head taken from
Figure 2 showing a first embodiment fleanble member;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment taken along line 5-5 of
Figure 4;
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Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the toothbrush head taken from Figure
2, showing an alternative embodiment flexible member;
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the alternative embodiment taken along line
7-7 of Figure 6; and
Figure 8 is a sectional view of a third embodiment flexible member also
taken along line 7-7 of Figure 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figures 2-5 show a toothbrush 10 arranged in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. In its preferred application, the
toothbrush 10 is used
primarily for brushing teeth 11 with orthodontic devices such as braces 12;
this is shown
in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 2, the toothbrush 10 consists of an elongated
handle 13,
a neck portion 14, and a head 15 positioned thereabove. The head 15 and the
neck 14
are preferably angled inward from the handle 13. This allows for easy access
to the
inside of the teeth 11.
As can be seen in Figures 3-5, the head 15 has an inside surface 22 and an
outside surface 20, both of which are peripherally surrounded and connected by
a
sidewall 24. The toothbrush 10 is preferably molded from a polymeric material.
Tufts
16 containing a plurality of bristles 18 are molded within the head 15 and
project
outwardly from the inside surface 22. The bristles 18 are preferably of a
nylon material.
The tufts 16 of bristles 18 are arranged in a series of rows, thus forming a
pattern upon
the inside surface 22. The length of the individual bristles 18 gradually vary
from a
maximum at the outermost rows 18a to a minimum length at the medial rows 18b
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CA 02122679 2001-06-11
centrally located therein. Coincidentally, the bristle 18 stiffness is
selected to be at a
minimum at the outermost rows 18a and gradually increase in stiffness to a
maximum
toward the center rows 18b. The outer bristles 18a contact with the tooth
surface 11 above
and below the orthodontic device 12, as well as penetrate the spaces between
these devices
12. The shorter and stiffer bristles 18b may become forced into relatively
firm pressure
against the tooth surfaces overlain by these braces l2. As depicted in FIG. 5,
the central
two rows of bristles 18b have an angled portion 19 permanently formed inward
toward the
longitudinal axis or centerline of the toothbrush 10.. The base of these
central bristles 18b
extends perpendicularly from a plane substantially parallel to the inside
surface 22 of the
toothbrush head 1 S and the inwardly angled portion 19 begins at a point at
least halfway
up the bristle. This configuration makes it much easier to deflect the tips of
the bristles
18b beneath the brace elements 12 by the application of relatively moderate
pressure
against the tooth surface 11.
In the preferred embodiment, the outermost bristles 18a are mounted
perpendicular
to a plane 23 (FIG. 3) substantially parallel to the inside head surface 22
and are not
angled outward as has been shown in various other patents such as: U.S. Pat.
No.
2,797,424, "Toothbrush", to Olson; U.S. Pat. No. 1,901,646, "Toothbrush", to
Hicks; U.S.
Pat. No. 1,642,465, "Tooth And Massage Brush", to Sheetz; U.S. Pat. No.
890,143, "Brush
For Cleaning Artificial Sets of Teeth", to Kuzzer; French No. 1,100,290 to
Guzman; and,
French 1,057,279 to Grignon. An end plane 50 created by the ends 48 of the
outermost
bristles is substantially parallel to the plane 23 when observed in the side
view, as shown
in FIG. 3.
4

CA 02122679 2001-06-11
A flexible member 26 comprises a synthetic elastomeric material which retains
the
centrally located bristles 18b is preferably mounted to the inside surface 22.
One
embodiment of this flexible member 26 is shown in FIG. 5. This first
embodiment
flexible member 26 is comprised of a top surface 28 and a bottom surface 30,
both of
which are longitudinally bordered and connected by sidewalk 32. The ends of
the flexible
member 26 are open until located within the head 15. This flexible member 26
serves to
form an air pocket :34 therewithin. As can be seen in FIG. 4, this flexible
member 26
contains a plurality of holes 36 within its top surface 28. This allows the
air 34 to be
compressibly released when the central bristles 18b are compressed toward the
inside
surface 22 of the toothbrush head 15.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a second embodiment of a flexible member 44 is
shown. The flexible member 44 is envisioned to be a solid block of spongy
material. This
material may have voids or air bubbles therewithin. The flexible member 44 has
a top
surface 46 from which the center rows of bristles 18b extend. The flexible
member 44 is
bounded by toothbmsh head inside walls 52 and is supported by an inside lower
wall 51.
FIG. 8 depicts a third embodiment of the flexible member 44 whereby a central
portion of the head's outside surface 20 is removed therefrom to form an
opening. Thus, a
bottom surface 48 of the flexible member 44 is visible. Ledges 53 are formed
around the
opening and are integral with the head's outer surface 20; these ledges 53
serve to support
the outermost portions of the flexible member 44 when the flexible member 44
is
compressed. Additionally, a transparent polymeric material can be inserted
into this
central opening to form a transparent window 54.

As is shown in Figures 4 and 5, the preferred e~~bod'yment~o~ the p ~ sent
,a~., -t .
invention toothbrush also incorporates a bumper 38~which encapsulates a
portion of the
toothbrush head 15. The bumper 38 preferably has a cross sectional U-shape
with a
center portion 40 therein, and having outboard return flange portions 42
thereupon. The
center portion 40 is attached to the side wall 24 and the bumper return
flanges 42 are
attached to the outermost edges of the inside surface 22 and~the outside
surface 20. The
bumper 38 serves to protect the orthodontic devices 12 during normal brushing
of the
teeth.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, another feature of the present invention
toothbrush encompasses a lower bristle tuft 46 molded within the lower end 44
of the
toothbrush handle 13. These bristles 46 can be used to brush in tooth crevices
behind
the orthodontic devices 12. The lower bristles 46 are preferably molded from
the same
material as the bristles 18 in the head 15.
It will be appreciated that the toothbrush of the present invention
represents a significant improvement for brushing of teeth having attached
orthodontic
devices. While a number of specific embodiments of this toothbrush have been
disclosed,
it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to this
toothbrush without
departing from the present invention. For example, the bumper, surrounding the
head,
may be of a different cross sectional shape than the U-shape cross section
descn'bed.
Also, while specific outside and center rows of bristle tufts have been
descn'bed, these
rows may vary in number and still be within the scope of the present
invention. While
various materials have been disclosed in exemplary fashion, various other
materials may
of course by employed. It is intended by the following claims to cover these
and any
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other departures from the disclosed embodiments which fall within the true
spirit of this
invention.

Representative Drawing