Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POWERED TOOTHBRUSH
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Background of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a powered toothbrush head that includes
an oscillating block
having bristles extending therefrom. Various types, of such powered
toothbrushes are generally
known in the art which provide for cleaning and massaging of both the soft and
hard tissue of the
mouth. Reference is made to U.S. Patent No. 5,625,916 which relates to an
electrically driven
toothbrush which includes a motor drive for rotating a drive shaft. The drive
shaft is connected to a
bristle holder on the head of the toothbrush in such a manner that rotation of
the drive shaft causes the
bristle holder to rotationally oscillate back and forth. Various other
arrangements are known for
oscillating a bristle holder mounted to the head of an electric toothbrush.
U.S. Patent No. 5,416,942 describes a motorized toothbrush having two
concentrically arranged
brushes coaxially supported in a shell. The brushes are driven by a drive
shaft connected to a spindle
which is bent to form two inclined arms at its end. Each of the arms is
located in a slot in each
respective brush. When the drive shaft isrotated the inclined arms cause each
brush to rotate about
their axis in opposite directions to each other.
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The motorized toothbrush described in PCT International Publication No. WO
00/78244 similarly
includes two coaxially mounted first and second brush heads which rotationally
oscillate with respect
to each other in different directions and/or at different speeds. Two
different drive mechanisms are
disclosed. One drive mechanism includes a linearly reciprocating actuator to
which two connecting
rods are attached. The connecting rods are formed from a single piece of wire
generally V-shaped
with an end of each connecting rod being mounted to a different one of the
brush heads. As the
actuator and connecting rods are moved linearly back and forth the ends of the
connecting rods are
moved toward and away from each other to cause the brush heads to rotate. In
the second
embodiment each brush head is provided with a toothed region which engages a
conical gear at the
distal end of a rotationally oscillating shaft so that rotational oscillation
of the shaft is transmitted by
the conical gear to each toothed region to thereby rotationally oscillate the
brush heads.
U.S. Patent No. 5,836,030 discloses a rather complicated arrangement for a
dental cleaning device
having two brush holders. One of the brush holders is reciprocated about a
pivotal axis as a result of a
pivotal coupling between the brush holder and a connecting rod in the drive
means. The other brush
holder is also reciprocated about a pivotal axis as a result of a coupling
between the brush holder and
a drive member of the drive means. Although the two brush holders are located
adjacent to each other
the reciprocation of one of the brush holders is not utilized to cause the
reciprocation of the other
brush holder. Instead, both brush holders oscillate as a result of each brush
holder being coupled to
the drive means.
U.S. Patent No. 6,308,358 discloses a toothbrush having a bristle holder and
an interdental bristle
holder. The patent states that each of these bristle holders performs a
pivotal movement along a
circular path, but does not state how the bristle holders are driven.
U.S. Patent No. 3,242,516 discloses a toothbrush having a central set of
bristles with a further set
of bristles on each side thereof. The central set is driven by a drive
mechanism. The central set
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includes a gear which meshes with gears for each of the other two sets so that
rotation of the central
set of brush elements will cause the other sets of brush elements to also
rotate. No mention is made of
rotating the brush elements back and forth in an oscillating manner.
U.S. Patent No. 5,353,460 discloses a power driven toothbrush which uses a
rather complicated
drive arrangement including various types of gears and modified shaft
structure to rotationally
oscillate a brush carrier. The brush carrier is linked to a brush holder so
that the brush holder is also
rotationally oscillated.
U.S. Patent No. 5,504,959 discloses an electric toothbrush wherein a pair of
rotating bases
holding brush bundles is rotatably mounted in a pair of pins secured to a
slider. A pinion is secured to
each base for engagement with a rack of a holder. The slider is mounted in the
holder and moved
longitudinally by a drive mechanism. As the slider moves longitudinally the
engagement of the
pinions with the rack causes the bases to rotate in a reciprocating motion to
thereby reciprocatingly
rotate the brush bundles.
There is a need in the art of an electric toothbrush which provides a
combination of motions to
best clean and massage the oral tissues, especially a wiping motion along the
facial and lingual
surfaces of the teeth not disclosed in the prior art, which wiping motion
provides for enhanced
removal any trapped matter in the interproximal spaces between the teeth.
Summary of the Invention
An object of this invention is to provide a powered toothbrush head which is
capable of delivering
a combination of motions, including a wiping motion to provide enhanced
cleaning especially in the
interproximal spaces between the teeth, in addition to the normal cleaning,
whitening and massaging
action of a typical powered toothbrush product.
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In accordance with this invention the toothbrush head has mounted thereon a
first tuft block
which has an outer surface, i.e. facial cross-section, that is generally
circular or egg-shaped . This first
tuft block is mounted in such a manner as to oscillate back and forth
preferably rotationally. The head
includes a second tuft block which has a drive connection with the first tuft
block so that both tuft
blocks are oscillated from a single drive. This second tuft block has an
elongated shape and pivots
about an eccentric or non-centrally located axis to function in the manner of
a wiper.
The invention may be practiced where other portions of the head include
bristles which could be
fixed bristles or could be movable bristles such as by being mounted on
elastomeric base for
independent movement.
If desired, additional tuft blocks could be mounted on the head which are also
movable such as by
moving longitudinally with regard to the longitudinal axis of the head or
movable laterally or movable
rotationally or movable in and out in a direction generally perpendicular to
the outer surface of the
head.
The elongated second tuft block may have an elongated outer surface or front
cross-section which
is oval, triangular, diamond shape, polygonal or rectangular and which is
mounted on an off center
pivot, preferably adjacent to its end opposite the first generally circular or
egg-shaped tuft block. One
of said tuft blocks includes a cut-out into which an extension or end of the
other tuft block is mounted
thereby creating a drive connection. Thus, rotation of one tuft block results
in rotation of the other
tuft block, with the circular tuft block rotating about its central axis,
while the elongated tuft block
swings in a wiping type motion with both tuft blocks oscillating back and
forth. A shaft connected to
a motor could directly drive either tuft block, with the drive connection
oscillating the other tuft
block.
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The Drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush head in accordance with this
invention;
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the head shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the head shown in Figures 1-2;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the head shown in Figures 1-3;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a toothbrush head in accordance with a
further embodiment of
this invention;
Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the head shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the head shown in Figures 5-6; and
Figure 8 is a top plan view of the head shown in Figures 5-7.
Detailed Description
Figures 1-4 illustrate one practice of this invention wherein a toothbrush 10
includes a neck
section 12 of a handle 13 and a head 14. The head 14/neck 12 may be
replaceable, i.e. a refill head or
the head 14/neck 12 section may be permanently attached to the handle 13
within the practice of this
invention.
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As illustrated, particularly in Figure 2, the head 14 includes an elongated
tuft block 16 which is
illustrated as being at the outermost or distal portion of head 14. Tuft block
16 is preferably a disk of
generally elongated shape, with an outer surface that is oval; however, it may
be in an elongated
triangle, diamond, polygon or a thin rectangle shape. Tuft block 16 is mounted
for rotation on a pin
located at one end of the tuft block to oscillate about a pivot axis 18. The
pivot axis 18 is thus off-
center or eccentric.
As also illustrated in Figure 2 a second tuft block 20 is mounted on head 14.
Tuft block 20 is
preferably a generally circular type disk which is mounted on a pin for
rotation about a centrally
located axis parallel to axis 18. Tuft block 20 is mounted for oscillating
rotation back and forth in a
plane generally parallel to the outer surface 22 of head 14. Any suitable
drive structure could be used
for oscillating tuft block 20. For example, Figure 3 illustrates the type of
drive structure disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 5,625,916, all of the details of which are incorporated herein
by reference thereto. As
shown therein the toothbrush 10 includes a drive shaft 24 which is driven from
a motor (not shown) in
handle 13. Drive shaft 24 terminates in a bent drive end 26 located in a slot
in tuft block 20. As shaft
24 is rotated the uni-directional rotation of shaft 24 and its drive end 26
are transmitted to tuft block
as a reciprocating rotational motion indicated by the arrow 32.
As best seen in Figure 2 tuft block 20 includes a cut-out or recess 28 into
which an extension of
20 the end 30 of tuft block 16 may be mounted. End 30 is thus an engaging
member to assure moving
contact between the tuft blocks 16,20. As a result of this engagement a drive
connection is made
between tuft block 20 and tuft block 16 so that the oscillation of tuft block
20 which is shown by the
arrow 32 is transmitted to elongated tuft block 16. Because, however, tuft
block 16 is pivoted
eccentrically at its end remote from tuft block 20, the oscillating movement
shown by arrow 32 results
in a wiper type swinging of tuft block 16 as shown by arrows 34,34. The
movement of tuft block 16
occurs in recess 35 of head 14. The wiping movement is advantageous since it
corresponds to a
toothbrush head being moved up and down the facial and lingual surfaces of the
teeth, which is the
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recommended manner of brushing to enhance cleaning of the interproximal spaces
between the teeth.
The wiping movement is enhanced by the elongated shape of tuft block 16.
As also shown in Figures 1 and 2 the head 14 includes a third section 36 which
is of generally U-
shape and extends around first section or tuft block 16. The third section 36
may be provided with a
plurality of tufts of bristles 38. Similarly, as illustrated tuft block 16
includes a plurality of sets of
bristles 40. Tuft block 20 has an outer arcuate row of bristles 42 and an
inner arcuate row of bristles
44.
While Figures 1-4 illustrate the various bristles to be of conventional fiber
form, the term
"bristles" is intended to be used in a generic sense as cleaning elements or
massage elements and
could include, for example, elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a
circular cross-section shape or
any type of desired shape or cross-section, including straight portions or
sinusoidal portions.
It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the bristles is
merely for exemplary purposes.
The invention can, however, be practiced with various combinations of the same
or different bristle
configurations embedded in the brush head 14 by known technology, such as
stapled technology or
in-mold tufting technology using the same or different bristle materials (such
as nylon bristles, spiral
bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while Figures 1-4 illustrate the
bristles to be generally
perpendicular to the outer surface 22 of head 14, some or all of the bristles
may be angled at various
angles with respect to the outer surface of the bristle head. It is thereby
possible to select the
combination of bristle configurations, bristle materials and bristle
orientations to achieve specific
intended results, such as to create as much movement from the oscillating tuft
heads to deliver
additional oral health benefits like enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth
whitening and/or
massaging of the gums.
Although all of the bristles may be of the same length so that a planar
brushing surface results
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from the various sections of head 14, the bristles could be of differing
lengths. For example, the inner
row of bristles 44 could be shorter than the outer row of bristles 42 on tuft
block 20 so that a cup-like
effect is produced which would help retain the toothpaste on the tuft block.
Similarly, the bristles 40
could be shorter than the bristles 38 to also create a cup-like structure.
The amplitude of wiping action of tuft block 16 could be such in combination
with the location of
bristles 38 on section 36 that the swinging tuft block 16 impacts against the
bristles 38 to cause the
bristles 38 to move outwardly, particularly where the bristles are mounted on
an elastomeric base.
Tuft block 16 may, for example, include an outward flange located above its
bristles carrying surface
and extending outwardly from its periphery so as to act as a contact member
for contacting the bristles
38. Bristles 38 could be in the form of rubber fingers which may or need not
be contacted by wiping
tuft block 16.
Figures 5-8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the
sections on head 14
are reversed from that shown in Figures 1-4. Thus, as shown in Figures 5-8 the
rotationally
oscillating head 20A is located at the distal-most portion of head 14. The
wiping elongated tuft block
1GA would be located adjacent to the neck 12. Tuft block 16A would be
oscillated by shaft end 26 to
pivot about its pivot axis 18A. The opposite end 30A of tuft block 16A would
be engaged in recess
28A of tuft block 20A so that the oscillating movement of tuft block 16A as
shown by the arrows
34,34 would be transmitted as a rotational oscillating movement of tuft block
20A as shown by the
arrow 32. A third section 36A would also be provided around tuft block 16A.
The outer surfaces of each of the sections of head 14 are coplanar so that the
outer surface 22 of
head 14 may be in a single plane. The invention may be practiced, however,
where one or more
sections may be in a parallel plane or even an inclined plane particularly the
fixed section 36 or 36A
may be inclined as compared to the orientation of the other sections.
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In the preferred practice of the invention the drive connection between the
circular tuft block 20
and the elongated tuft block 16 results from a recess 28 in tuft block 20
which receives the projection
or end 30 of tuft block 16. The invention, however, may also be practiced
where the end 30 of tuft
block 16 has a recess and tuft block 20 has an extension which fits into the
recess. The drive
connection may also be a link pivotally connected to each tuft block. Any
suitable structure may be
used which transmits an oscillating movement of one tuft block into an
oscillating movement of the
other tuft block.
Preferably, the invention is practiced where the third section 36 or 36A is a
non-moving, fixed section
either having stationary or fixed bristles or bristles which can move
independently of each other by
being mounted in an elastomeric base. The invention, however, may also be
practiced where the third
section 36 or 36A is also movable. For example, the third section may move in
and cut in a direction
generally perpendicular to the outer surface 22 of head 14. This would result
in a vibrating section.
Any suitable drive mechanism may be used to accomplish this in and out
vibrating motion such as the
type of drive mechanism described in U.S. Patent No. Re.35,941, all of the
details of which are
incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively the vibrating section
could be free floating
without a positive drive. Other forms of movement of third section 36 or 36A
could be where the
movement is longitudinal with respect to the longitudinal axis of head 14 or
could be a lateral
movement. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used to accomplish these motions
which would be
in a plane generally parallel to the outer surface 22 of head 14. Reference is
made to co-pending
parent application Serial No. 10/066,459, filed January 31, 2002, all of the
details of which are
incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Although the drawings illustrate the two oscillating tuft blocks to comprise
one tuft block which is
generally circular in form and which rotates about its central axis and the
other tuft block to be
elongated and which rotates about an eccentric axis, other variations may be
used within the practice
of the invention. For example, both tuft blocks could be of generally circular
shape and a form of
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wiping action would still be achieved if one of the tuft blocks is
eccentrically mounted. Similarly,
both tuft blocks could be eccentrically mounted so that a double wiping affect
is achieved. Where an
elongated tuft block is used the tuft block can have a shape other than an
oval shape and preferably
includes some structure to interact with structure on the other tuft block so
as to form a drive
connection.
The invention may also be practiced where both tuft blocks are of elongated
shape with one tuft
block being eccentrically mounted and the other tuft block mounted about its
central axis.
While the drawings illustrate a third section to be disposed around the
eccentrically mounted tuft
block the invention may be practiced with a further section around the
centrally mounted tuft block in
addition to or instead of being located around the eccentrically pivoted tuft
block.
