Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE: TOOTHBRUSH
The present invention relates to a toothbrush.
Toothbrushes which have been used in the past have traditionally comprised a
generally straight handle which is provided with a brush head at one end where
5 the brush head supports a set of bristles which define a brushing face and in
which the brushing face is generally planar. Over the years, the design of
toothbrushes have been refined to provide handles which are anatomically
designed such that when brushing teeth from a forward position, the brush head
is in general alignment with the buccal and lingual surfaces of posterior teeth.10 However, a principal difficulty with such toothbrushes resides in the substantially
planar configuration of the brushing face which, without a substantial distortion of
the bristles, prevents intimate contact of the brush heads with the arcuate surface
of the tooth and in particular with the cavities which exist in the profile of teeth,
particularly in the regions of the inclines which exist in the side faces of the teeth
15 and the embrasures or spillways which are provided between adjacent teeth.
It is an object of this invention to provide a toothbrush which in use, is able to
make intimate contact with the surfaces of at least some of the teeth without a
severe distortion of the bristles. This is achieved in general terms by providing a
brush head having the bristles provide a brushing face which is concave and has
20 a generally anatomically complementary surface to the several convex surfacesthat are characteristic of the primary and permanent human teeth.
Accordingly, the invention resides in a toothbrush having a head supported from
one end of the handle, said head supporting a set of bristles extending from oneside of the head in closely spaced relation whereby the outer ends of the bristles
25 jointly provide a brushing face, said brushing face being concave in profile along
both the longitudinal axes of the brushing face and the transverse axes of the
brushing face between the ends of the brushing face to provide a recessed
surface wherein the free ends of the outer bristles in the region of outer periphery
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of the brushing face are directed radially inwardly with respect to the brushingface.
According to a preferred feature of the invention, two brushing faces are located
along the longitudinal axis wherein each brushing face is provided with said
5 recessed surface and the brushing faces are separated by an intermediate raised
portion. The raised portion is generally the same height as the opposed ends of
the brushing faces. It is a further preferred that the brushing faces are of a
generally circular or ellipsoidal configuration in plan.
According to one particular embodiment of the invention the toothbrush is
10 intended for the cleaning of primary teeth of infants and young children. Theprincipal difficulty with prior art toothbrushes which has been referred to above
relates to the substantially planar configuration of the brushing face which is
particularly inappropriate for use in the cleaning the primary teeth of infants and
children which have a bulbous cervical ridge area on the buccal surfaces of the
15 molar teeth.
It is an object of one embodiment of the invention to provide a toothbrush whichin use is able to make intimate contact with the surfaces the primary teeth without
a severe distortion of the bristles. This is achieved in general terms by providing
a brushhead having the bristles provide a brushing face which is concave and
20 has a generally anatomically complementary surface to the several convex
surfaces that are characteristic of the primary human teeth.
Accordingly, the embodiment of the invention resides in a toothbrush having a
head supported from one end of the handle, said head supporting a set of bristles
extending from one side of the head in closely spaced relation whereby the outer25 ends of the bristles jointly provide a brushing face, said brushing face being
concave in profile along both the longitudinal axes of the brushing face and thetransverse axes of the brushing face between the ends of the brushing face to
provide a recessed surface, said recessed surface being circular in plan.
AMEN~E;D ~'1'
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According to a preferred feature of the previous embodiment invention the
recessed suRace is of a part spherical shape.
According to a further preferred feature of the embodiment, said brushing face
comprises two brushing faces located along the longitudinal axis wherein each
5 brushing face is provided with said recessed surface and the brushing faces are
separated by an intermediate raised portion. The raised portion is generally thesame height as the opposed ends of the brushing faces.
In one embodiment of the invention the outer bristles are curved. In an
alternative embodiment the outer bristles are of a linear configuration and are
10 mounted to the head such that they are directed radially with respect to the
brushing face.
The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description
of several specific embodiments. The description is made with reference to the
accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the head of the toothbrush according to the
first embodiment;
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the brush head according to the first
embodiment;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the brush head according to the first
embodiment;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the brush head along line 4-4 of
Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the brush head along line 5-5 of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of Figure 2;
Figure 7 is a schematic view of a brush head according to the first
embodiment in use in brushing both the buccal and lingual surfaces of the
posterior teeth of a set of teeth in the lower jaw;
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Figure 8 is a sul,~",~ ; side ~evation of a brush head a~,dil"~ to the
first e,,,l~udi,,,~nl in use in clw";l ,y U.e upper surfaoes of the te~th shown
in Figure 7; and
Figure 9 is a crcJs~secli~", of a tooth and brush head along line 9-9 of
Figure 8
Figure 10 is a ptan view or lht: luuUIL~Iu~ ~ndt~th shown at Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a side e~ of the bn s~ d ~J of a toc,ll d-l ush d~;UI ~il 19 to
the s~co"d ~I ~ ,LJodi" ,t:, ll
Figure 12 is a plan view of the bn,sl d~&d ~ a to the second
el 1 ILJU-Jil 1 1~1 ll,
Figure 13 is a c~ss se~.liul-al view of the bn~slll~ along line 13-13 of
Figure 12;
Figure 14 iS a sct,t:o~alic view of a bn.51d.e~d a~cording to the seou.-~J
e",~o ti,~,er,l in use in 6lu~hil ly t3utl . ll l~ buc cat and linyual surFa~es of the
1~ ~.oslt, io~ teeth of a set o~ ~ell, inthe lower jaw;
Figure 1~ is a sc1,e",dlic side etevation of a brusht,ead acco,~ ,y to the
seco"~;l e,,,L,udi,,,e,~l in use in clt:dllllly the upp~r surfaoes o~ the teeth
shown in Figure 14; and
Figure 16 co"".,ises a ~nt etevation of a motar tooth and brushl,ea~l
acco.~;l,y to the seG~"-J e,,.bu~i,,,a,,l illu~ lilly the cc"lacl of the
louUIbrush with the buccal ~B) and lingual (L) surFa~es of the primary
molars.
Figure 17 is a plan view of the luuU ~ sh and te~th shown at Figure 1~
Figure 18 is a s~lional side view ~f a luoUlLlLlsh d~;ul~hlly to the third
2~; e,llbùdi~
Figure 19 is a ptan view of-the lo~dl ~. ~lsh of Figure 18
CA 02242863 1998-07-13
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Figure 19 is a plan view of the toothbrush of Figure 18.
Throughout the following description of several embodiments of the invention thesame reference numerals are used in respect of corresponding elements or
components.
5 The first embodiment shown at Figures 1 to 10 is directed to a toothbrush which
is of an anatomical design such that it is able to more intimately contact both the
buccal and lingual surfaces of the posterior teeth.
The first embodiment comprises a brush head 11 which is supported from one
end of a handle 12. The handle of the first embodiment is contoured such that
10 when the posterior teeth are being brushed from a forward position (ie. with the
handle projecting forwardly from the mouth), the brush head is substantially
parallel to the line of the teeth as shown at Figure 7.
The brush head 11 supports a set of closely spaced bristles 13 which are
mounted to the head in a conventional manner such that they project from the
15 face of the head which is intended to be located adjacent the teeth. The bristles
13 are arranged in two brushing faces 15 and 16 which are located end to end
along the longitudinal axis of the brush such that they are contiguous with eachother to define an intermediate portion 17. The outer ends of the bristles 13
define the brushing surface of each brushing face of the toothbrush. The lengths20 of the bristles are such that each brushing face 15 and 16 has a generally
recessed configuration. The recessed configuration of the brushing face is such
that between each end and the intermediate portion 17, each brushing face is
transversely concave as shown at Figure 4 and between each end of the
intermediate portions 17, the brush head is longitudinally concave as shown at
25 Figure 6. The degree of concavity which is defined between the ends of each
brushing face and the intermediate portions 17 is such, that the recessed surface
so provided, substantially conforms with the curved profile of the posterior teeth
both in the fore and aft axis of the mouth but also between the gingival margin
and the crown of the teeth.
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As a result of the configuration of the brushing faces which are provided by therecessed portions of the brushing faces 15 and 16 and the intermediate portion
17 and as shown at Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 the brushing faces are able to engage
a pair of adjacent teeth and are able to accommodate to the surface of the teethwithout a substantial distortion of the bristles and undue pressure and abrasionbeing applied to portions of the teeth. In addition, as a result of such
engagement, the ends of the brushing faces 15 and 16 and the intermediate
portion 17 are able to be received in the occlusal and incisal embrasures or
spillways between the sides of the teeth, the embrasures between the crowns of
the teeth, the cusp inclines in the crowns of the teeth and the central fissure in
the teeth. With the brushing head located on the teeth as shown in figures 7, 8
and 9 and with application of a circular motion to the brush head according to
conventional practice the surface of a pair of adjacent teeth can be contacted
substantially completely by the brushing faces to effect the cleaning of the entire
surface of the teeth including the inclines and spillways. By indexing the position
of the tooth brush past the buccal, lingual and upper surfaces of the posterior
teeth, almost the entire surface of the posterior teeth can be adequately cleaned
including the embrasures or spillways which exist between adjacent teeth and thecuspal inclines of the teeth. The brush head presents an anatomically
complementary configuration to the various curved surfaces of the teeth and in
particular can be readily received in locations where food particles can lodge to
facilitate cleaning of such areas.
In addition if desired the bristles located in the region of the outer periphery of the
brushing face can be configured such that their free ends are directed
substantially radially towards the brushing surface 16.
The configuration of the brushing faces and the contoured configuration of the
handle 12 ensures that the toothbrush when used appropriately can simulate the
cleaning action which in the past has only been possible by visiting the dentist for
dental prophylaxis utilising cleaning brushes.
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The second embodiment shown at Figures 11 to 17 is directed to a toothbrush
which is of an anatomical design such that it is able to more intimately contactboth the buccal and lingual surfaces of the posterior primary teeth.
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The s~cc"~i emt~odirnent wlllylises a brusld.e~ci 11 which is s~ ci from one
end of a handle 12. The handle of the secc,.J ~.~uJi",t7nl is contoured such
that when the ,vu~l~liu~ LII afe-being brus~l.~l rlu~l- a forward ~osilion (ie. with
the handie ~.uje~ y rO~a,~lly rlul" u ,e-mouth), the br~ hh ~i is s~ ly
parallel to the line of the teeth as-shown at Figure 17.
The brusl, hed~J 1 1 supports a set of closely sl.~cec3 1~ lles 13 which are
mounted to the head in a con~euli~ l l"al",er such that they p"~;.- frc~m the
face o~ the hdllulr which is i~ ied to be lo~-~le~ f~"l the teeth. The
bristles 13 are a, . dl Iyl~d to define a circlllar array. The outer ends of the bristles
13 define the brushing surFace 1~ of the Lou~ J, ush. The lengths o~ the b~ s issuch that the brushiny ~ace-has a y~ l~ldlly r~SSe~ confi~uration which is such
that, the brushing face 1~ d~ri.~s a ~e.t~ y part s,~l.e,i~al concaYe surFace.
The dt~ e of con~:avity is sL~ dl ll~e ~,usl.inç,~ race conru..,-s s~ nliéfily
with the curved p~le of the f usl~.iol teet11 both in the fo~.~ and ~t axis of the
mouth but atso L~ Qn the gingiYal ~.~yil, and the ~wn ~the teeth and in
partiwtar with the hlllhc~us curved rid~es on ti-ie buccal surfaces of the
molars.
in a~ lilio, . as shown at Figure 13 the outer 1 - i:,llas 17 loc~le~:l i~ttre region of the
outer peri~JI ~er~ of the b~ u:,h;ng r~,~a~ confiyured su,ch -thatth~ir free-ends are
dil~ di su\~ ly radiallyto~hdlds li,e iJ,Lishing suiface 16.
As a result of the ccr,riyu~liu~ ~fthe brushinyface 15 and as sho~ at Figures
14 15, 16 and 17 the brushtng race is ~ble to e, lyd~ e~air of-a~ l~ll . andis aole to d-;~o.n..,oua~e to the s~ ;e Or ll ,e leell l ~iout a s~ ,Lial diisl(" lion
of the bristles and without undue pressure and ~v,asio" being a~ cl to some
.o, liul ,s of the surface of the teeth. In ad~iliu, ~, as a result of su~ e~u~d~lte~ ,l
the edyes of the brushingf~ce~bie to be ~ceived intt e o~t~-s~t and incisal
e~ sures or spillwa~,s ~ ~ U~ sides aHh~ lccll " the e,.~,~s~es ~ ~n
the crowns of the teeth, the cusp i"clines in the ~rowns of the teeth and the
c~- rl-~l fissure in the teeth.
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With the brushing head located on the teeth as shown in figures 14, 15, 16 and
17 and with application of a circular motion to the brushhead according to
conventional practice the surface of a tooth can be contacted substantially
completely by the brushing face with a substantially even pressure to effect the5 cleaning of the entire surface of the teeth including the inclines and spillways. By
indexing the position of the tooth brush past the buccal, lingual and upper
surfaces of the posterior teeth, almost the entire surface of the posterior teeth can
be adequately cleaned including the embrasures or spillways which exist
between adjacent teeth and the cuspal inclines of the teeth. The brushhead
10 presents an anatomically complementary configuration to the various curved
surfaces of the teeth and in particular can be readily received in locations where
food particles can lodge and dental plaque accumulates to facilitate cleaning ofsuch areas. The configuration of the brushing face and the contoured
configuration of the handle 12 ensures that the toothbrush when used
15 appropriately can simulate the cleaning action which in the past has only been
possible by visiting the dentist for dental prophylaxis utilising rotating cleaning
brushes mounted in a motor-driven handpiece.
Figures 18 and 19 illustrate a third embodiment of this invention which has a
brushhead with two sets of bristles 13 which are each of a similar form to one set
20 of bristles of the second embodiment and which are arranged such that they are
positioned side by side along the longitudinal axis of the handle and such that
they are closely adjacent to be contiguous to define a pair of brushing faces 15having two recessed portions of the same form as the brushing faces of the firstembodiment separated by a raised intermediate portion 17. This third
25 embodiment would be suitable for children with a mixed dentition of primary and
permanent teeth.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be
limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above.
lP~J
