Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TOOTHBRUSH ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application
Serial No.
10/113,763, filed April 1, 2002, the disclosure of which being incorporated by
reference
herein in its entirety.
to BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to toothbrushes, and, more
particularly, to a
toothbrush assembly having a toy-shaped handle with an interchangeable, easily
detachable
head and neck, the toy-shaped handle also having a compartment for holding
stationary a
removable separate figurine or toy.
B. Description of the Related Art
Various types of toothbrushes having object-shaped handles are generally known
in
the art, and are designed to appeal to children to encourage them to brush
their teeth for
enhanced oral health. Examples of such toothbrushes that appeal to children
include U.S.
2o Design Patent Nos. 237,659, 443,765, 452,381, and 452,382 which disclose
toothbrushes
having handles shaped like vehicles (e.g., race cars, rocket ships, jets,
etc.). U.S. Design
Patent Nos. 329,948, 347,146, 347,147, 347,148, 363,166, 402,119, 434,907, and
452,380,
and U.S. Patent No. 6,026,532 disclose toothbrushes having handles shaped like
animals.
Toothbrush handles having other shapes are also possible, as seen in U.S.
Design Patent Nos.
113,744,155,668,175,198, and 209,574.
In the above-mentioned toothbrush designs, it appears that the object-shaped
handles
are not removable from the toothbrush head, or interchangeable with other
object-shaped
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handles. Thus, the appeal of such designs is necessarily limited.
The toothbrush art discloses toothbrushes with detachable handles. For
example, U.S.
Patent No. 3,072,938 relates to a power-operated toothbrush wherein the
toothbrush is
detachably secured to a power driven member. This is accomplished by a
detachable
coupling structure that includes a resilient cantilever member at the end of
the toothbrush.
The cantilever member has an upwardly extending projection for fitting in one
of two
oppositely disposed openings and in the socket portion of the power driven
member. The
cantilever member has an upwardly extending button on its upper portion. In
order to release
the toothbrush, the button would be depressed to disengage the projection from
its respective
to opening. However, instead of using the same release button as the locking
member, U.S.
Patent No. 3,072,938 discloses having a separate release member and loclring
member.
Further, in U.S. Patent No. 3,072,938 the toothbrush itself is being
detachably coupled to a
power driven member, instead of coupling the neck of the toothbrush to an
ornamental or
decorative handle.
U.S. Patent No. 4,780,924 discloses a toothbrush with a removable brush head.
The
coupling structure includes a U-shaped body extending from the head. The body
has a spring
finger with a tooth. A key is mounted at the end of the body. The handle
portion is illustrated
in Fig. 5 and includes a cavity having surfaces which compliment the surfaces
of the U-
shaped body, including a ramp upon which the tooth would slide until the tooth
becomes
locked in place, as shown in Fig. 5d. In order to detach the head, an
additional structural
member such as a second male latch portion is used wherein the key would be
inserted into
the channel to deflect the tooth inwardly out of its locking condition.
Unfortunately, this
arrangement requires a separate unlatching member, and the reference fails to
disclose a latch
button that is located at the surface so that it can be finger manipulated.
U.S. Patent No. 5,027,463 discloses a power-driven toothbrush having a
combination
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electric motor module and handle, and a connectable toothbrush head. The free
end of the
toothbrush head, away from the end with toothbrush bristles, has a pair of
coupling notches
therein for coupling connection to the toothbrush handle. The reference does
not disclose if
the toothbrush head is detachably connected to the handle.
Other references which appear to disclose toothbrushes with detachable handles
include U.S. Design Patent Nos. 336,368, 378,250, and 423,224.
The closest the toothbrush art comes to offering toy-based handles with
detachable
toothbrush heads may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,353,464, 5,774,921, and
6,015,328.
U.S. Patent No. 5,353,464 discloses a toothbrush having a handle in the
general form of an
to animal and a detachable toothbrush head. However, the toothbrush head fits
into a recess or
socket of the handle through a frictional sliding arrangement, and there is no
mention of
providing a latch button that is located at the surface so that it can be
finger manipulated.
U.S. Patent No. 5,774,921 discloses a toothbrush having a handle in the
general form
of an animal with a mounted toothbrush head. The mounting is accomplished by
inserting
nipples which deform during insertion of the handle into a slot and then snap
into detents, as
shown in Fig. 6. The reference does not disclose a latch button that is
located at the surface so
that it can be finger manipulated.
U.S. Patent No. 6,015,328 discloses a toothbrush detachably mounted to a toy
handle.
The toothbrush is removably mounted on the toy handle by a "twist-and-lock"
mechanism,
2o and there is no mention of providing a latch button that is located at the
surface so that it can
be finger manipulated.
Many children's toys are handheld, and, especially with vehicle-type handheld
toys,
contain a compartment with a lid for retaining figurines, such as toy people,
therein. For
example, the LEGO~ Company of Denmark offers several vehicle type handheld
toys that
have a compartment with a transparent lid to retain a LEGO~ figurine, such as
a driver,
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within the vehicle. Such handheld toys are not known to have been used as
toothbrush
handles.
The closest the toothbrush art comes to offering toy-based handles with
compartments
for retaining additional figurines may be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,353,464
and 5,590,436.
U.S. Patent No. 5,353,464 discloses a toothbrush having a handle in the
general form of an
animal. If desired, the handle can contain a hollowed-out compartment for
storage of a
detachablylattachable toothbrush head. The compartment can be fitted with a
suitable cover,
plug, or lid to encase the entire toothbrush head within the handle. However,
the
compartment of U.S. Patent No. 5,353,464 is adapted to retain only the
detachable toothbrush
to head, and there is no mention of providing a figurine within the handle.
U.S. Patent No. 5,590,436 discloses a toothbrush having a handle that carries
a
figurine formed separately from but attached to the handle. The figurine can
be attached
directly to the handle of the toothbrush or can be attached first to a carrier
which is then
attached to the handle. The toothbrush handle of U.S. Patent No. 5,590,436
does not have a
compartment with a cover or lid for retaining the figurine.
Although not part of the toothbrush art, U.S. Patent No. 5,713,664 discloses a
beverage stirrer having a pop out item such as a figurine, logo, or product
replica. The pop
out item can be mounted to an end of a sliding mechanism and can be configured
to extend
out of an open end of a casing as the beverage is stirred. Unfortunately, U.S.
Patent No.
5,713,664 fails to suggest that such a pop out item configuration can be used
for a toothbrush
handle.
Furthermore, none of the related art appears to disclose a toothbrush handle
having a
compartment for retaining a figurine, wherein the handle prevents the figurine
from moving
within the compartment and provides a display case for the figurine.
Thus, there is a need in the art to appeal to children with a toy-shaped
toothbrush
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handle and a toothbrush head detachably connected to the handle with a latch
button that is
located at the surface so that it can be finger manipulated, wherein the
handle can function as
a toy with or without a detachable toothbrush head to encourage children to
brush their teeth.
There is also a need in the art to appeal to children with a toy-shaped
toothbrush
handle having a compartment for removably storing a figurine or other child's
toy therein,
wherein the handle can function as a toy with or without a detachable
toothbrush head to
encourage children to brush their teeth, and wherein the handle prevents the
figurine from
moving within the compartment and provides a display case for the figurine.
Prevention of
the figurine from moving within the handle avoids potential damage to the
figurine and
distraction (due to the movement or rattling of the figurine within the
handle) during teeth
cleaning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the problems of the related art by providing a
toothbrush
having a head and neck which may be detachably connected to a toy-shaped
handle, such as a
rocket or vehicle or figurine. This involves providing the neck with a spring
arm extension
having a push button located at and extending outwardly from the tip of the
spring arm. The
spring arm is generally located at the top of a U-shaped or channel-shaped
insert. The handle
fits around the U-shaped insert and has a recess. An aperture extends through
the recessed
portion to receive the push button of the spring arm. When the handle and neck
are snapped
together, the push button moves outwardly through the recess aperture to
couple the handle
and neck together. In order to detach the handle, the push button would simply
be pushed
inwardly until it is free of the recess aperture.
None of the related art discussed above discloses such a coupling mechanism
wherein
the toothbrush head and neck are detachably mounted to a toy-shaped or other
ornamental-
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shaped handle.
The present invention further solves the problems of the related art by
providing a
toothbrush having a head and neck which may be detachably connected to a toy-
shaped
handle, such as a rocket or vehicle or figurine. The handle includes a
compartment for
removably storing a separate vehicle, figurine, other toy or sundry product,
such as candy or a
miniature tube of toothpaste therein. The handle is preferably a handheld toy
design that
functions as a toy whether or not detached from the toothbrush head. The
inventors of the
present invention have found that such handheld toy designs, containing a
compartment with
an additional toy or sundry product therein, makes an ideal toothbrush handle
which offers a
to fun and exciting way for children to brush their teeth. Such excitement
motivates children to
brush their teeth often, to set in place lifelong habits of good oral hygiene.
In various practices of this embodiment of the present invention, the
toothbrush handle
takes the form of a rocket ship having a compartment that retains a figurine,
such as an action
figure like a LEGOO figurine, stationary therein. This prevents the figurine
from being
damaged or moving within handle, potentially distracting children during teeth
cleaning.
Preferably, the handle includes two sections that interconnect and disconnect
easily, and,
when connected, define the hollow compartment of the handle. When the two
sections of the
handle are separated, the figurine may be easily removed from the handle, so
that a child may
play with the figurine. The handle may also be transparent so that the
figurine may be
2o viewed, stored, and displayed within the rocket ship-shaped handle.
In still another aspect of this embodiment of the present invention, the
toothbrush
handle may be a more conventional toothbrush shape, not the shape of a toy,
but still acts as a
storage and display case for the figurine contained in a compartment provided
therein. An
entirely or partially transparent or translucent handle or an opaque handle
may be provided to
enable the figurine to be displayed, and may preferably be opened and closed,
or removed and
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replaced so that the figurine may be removed and stored in the handle
compartment. Again,
the compartment retains the figurine stationary within the handle.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent
from the
detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that
the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of
the invention,
are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications
within the spirit
and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from this detailed
description. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of
l0 the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed
description
given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of
illustration only,
and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a toothbrush having a head and neck
detachably
connectable to a rocket ship-shaped handle in accordance with an embodiment of
the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a left side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Fig. 1,
partially broken
away to show the details of the detachable head and neck;
Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the toothbrush shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the detachable head and neck of the toothbrush
shown in
Figs. 1-3;
Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the detachable head and neck shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the toothbrush handle shown in Figs. 1-3;
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Fig. 7 is a fragmental, elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figs. 1-3,
partially
broken away to show the head and neck being removed from the handle;
Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a toothbrush having a head and a rocket
ship-shaped
handle having a compartment for storing a figurine stationary therein in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a right side elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a rear elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figs. 8 and 9;
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in Figs. 8-10;
Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the toothbrush shown in Figs. 8-11;
to Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figs. 8-12,
partially broken
away to show how the figurine is retained in the hollow toothbrush handle;
Fig.14 is an exploded front fragmental view in elevation of the toothbrush
handle shown
in Figs. 8-13, showing the details of locking elements to attach the upper and
lower sections of
the toothbrush handle;
Fig. 15 is a right side elevational view of Fig. 14; and
Fig. 16 is a front fragmental cross-sectional view in elevation of the
toothbrush handle
shown in Figs. 8-15, and showing the interconnected upper and lower sections
of the toothbrush
handle.
2o DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying
drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same
or similar
elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the
invention. Instead, the
scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents
thereof.
Figs. 1-7 illustrate one practice of the present invention wherein a
toothbrush 10
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includes a neck section 12 interposed between a head 14 and a handheld handle
16.
Preferably, neck 12 and head 14 are integrally connected, and together are
detachably
connected to handle 16 so that head 14 may be replaced as the bristles 18
become worn and so
that handle 16 may function separately as a toy when detached from neck 12 and
head 14.
As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, handle 16 may be in the shape of a rocket ship
and
include a hollowed-out compartment with a cover, window, or lid for retaining
a figurine,
such as an action figure. However, instead of a rocket ship shape, handle 16
may be in the
shape of a vehicle, such as a submarine, car, plane or other toy that appeals
to a child. Since
the embodiment of the handle 16 shown in Figs. 1-7 is shaped like a rocket
ship, it preferably
l0 includes a rocket-shaped body 20 with fins 22 provided at a lower portion
of body 20 which
simulate rocket ship fins, but also act as support feet for holding toothbrush
10 in an upright
position for easy storage or display. An indicia band 24 may additionally be
provided at a
middle portion of body 20 for displaying a toy logo. A top portion of handle
body 20 includes
a recessed portion 26 and a socket 28 for receiving a portion of neck 12, as
described more
fully below. As best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, an aperture 30 extends through
recessed portion
26 to receive a portion of neck 12, as also described more fully below.
As further shown in Figs. 1-7, a lower portion of neck 12 includes a collar
32, a push
button 36 integrally connected to a spring arm 34, and a U-shaped insert 38
having a recess
40. Recess 40 of U-shaped insert 40 permits flexing of spring arm 34, but also
protects spring
2o arm 40 from over-flexing and potentially breaking. Preferably, all portions
of neck 12,
including collar 32, spring arm 34, push button 36, and U-shaped insert 38,
are integrally
formed together, and may be molded from a variety of rigid materials,
including plastics,
resins, etc., such as, for example, polypropylene.
U-shaped insert 38 is preferably sized to fit within and have the same shape
as socket
28 of handle 16. However, U-shaped insert 38 and socket 28 may take on a
variety of shapes
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other than those shown in Figs. 1-7, including channel, square, circular,
rectangular, etc.
Neck 12 and head 14 may be removably attached to handle 16 by depressing push
button 36 and spring arm 34 towards recess 40 of U-shaped insert 38 with a
finger or thumb
(as shown by directional arrow 42 in Fig. 1), and sliding U-shaped insert 38
and the button
36/spring arm 34 combination into socket 28 provided in body 20 of handle 16.
When push
button 36 reaches aperture 30, push button 36 moves outwardly through recess
aperture 30
provided in body 20 and remains in aperture 30 due to the spring force
provided by spring
arm 34, to couple handle 16 and neck 12 together. Neck 12 and head 14 may be
removed
from handle 16 by simply depressing push button 36 with a finger or thumb, and
pulling neck
l0 12 and head 14 away from handle 16 (as shown by directional arrow 44 in
Fig. 7). The ease
with which neck 12 and toy-shaped handle 16 may be connected and disconnected
makes
toothbrush 10 ideal for children. Children can easily manipulate push button
36 when they
desire to play with handle 16 as a separate toy, and can easily connect neck
12 and head 14
when it is time to brush their teeth.
Head 14 of the present invention may have a generally flat face that holds a
plurality
of tufts or bristles 18. Head 14 may have variety of shapes, including but not
limited to
circular, oval, square, rectangular, various regular or irregular shapes, etc.
Bristles 18 may be coplanar with each other so that the outer surface of
bristles 18 lie
in a single plane. The invention, however, could be practiced where some or
all of the bristles
18 extend outwardly a different distance than other bristles 18 to result in a
stepped effect for
the outer surface of bristles. In the illustrated embodiment as best shown in
Fig. 2, bristles 18
extend outwardly from an outer surface of head 14 approximately the same
distance to create
a generally flat surface or flat bristle trim for receiving the toothpaste.
While conventional fiber form bristles are illustrated, the term "bristles" as
used herein
is intended to be used in a generic sense as cleaning elements or massage
elements and could
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include, for example, elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular
cross-section shape or
any type of desired shape, including straight portions or sinusoidal portions.
The bristles 18 could be mounted to the tuft blocks or sections by extending
through
suitable openings in the face of head 14 so that the base of bristles 18 is
mounted within or
below the surface of the face using conventional staple or in-mold tufting
technology for
mounting therein. If desired, the bristles could be embedded in an elastomeric
material which
would permit the bristles to have an independent motion. Such various forms of
bristles may
thus be used for the bristles used in any section of head 14.
It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the bristles is
merely for
l0 exemplary purposes. The invention can, however, be practiced with various
combinations of
the same or different bristle configurations as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
5,609,890,
5,390,984, and 5,533,791, the disclosures of which being incorporated by
reference herein in
their entirety, and/or with the same or different bristle materials, such as
nylon bristles, spiral
bristles, rubber bristles, etc. Similarly, while the bristles are illustrated
to be generally
perpendicular to the face 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
2o whitening and/or massaging of the gums.
It is to be understood that the invention can be practiced by locating tufts
of bristles in
any otherwise open area of toothbrush head 14. Such tufts of bristles could be
fixed bristles
perpendicularly mounted or mounted at an angle to the exposed outer surface of
head 14 or
could be bristles mounted on an elastomeric base with a Shore A durometer in
the range of
about zero to about ninety, so as to be independently movable when pressure is
applied. Such
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bristles in their normal condition could be either perpendicular or at an
angle to the face of
head 14.
The invention may also be practiced where different sets of bristles have
different
colors. It is to be understood, however, that any combination of colors
including only one
color could be used for bristles 18. Likewise, neck 12, head 14, and handle 16
may have a
variety of colors, and may be opaque, transparent, translucent, clear, etc.
Although Figs. 1-7 illustrate a manually-operated toothbrush, the present
invention
may also be practiced where the head includes one or more power or
electrically operated
movable sections carrying cleaning elements. Such a movable section may
oscillate in a
rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with
respect to the
longitudinal axis of the head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or
transverse direction with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section may
oscillate in and out in a
direction toward and away from the outer surface of the head. The movable
section may rock
back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable
section may rotate
continuously in the same direction, rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive
mechanism may
be used for imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural
movable
sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same type and
direction of
movement, or combinations of different movements may be used.
Similarly, handle 16 may be a power or electrically operated movable toy
rather than a
2o manually-operated toy as shown in Figs. 1-7. The power-operated handle may
function alone
as a movable toy or double as a movable toy and a mechanism to provide one or
more power
or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements in head
14.
Figs. 8-16 illustrate another practice of the present invention wherein a
toothbrush 110
includes a neclc section 112 interposed between a head 114 and a handheld
handle 116.
Preferably, neck 112 and head 114 are integrally connected, and together are
detachably
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connected to handle 116 so that head 114 may be replaced as the bristles
become worn and so
that handle 116 may function separately as a toy when detached from neck 112
and head 114.
In an alternate, less costly embodiment of the present invention, the head 114
and neck 112
are integral and permanently connected to the handle 116.
As further shown in Figs. 8-16, handle 116 preferably includes two separate
sections,
an upper section 118 and a lower section 120, that form a hollowed-out
compartment 122 for
retaining a figurine 124, such as an LEGOO action figurine. However, it is
understood that in
place of the figurine 124 may be a vehicle, such as a submarine, plane or
other toy or sundry
product, such as candy or a miniature toothpaste tube which will appeal to a
child. Although
handle 116 is shown in the shape of a rocket ship, handle 116 may be in the
shape of a
vehicle, such as a submarine, car, plane or other toy that appeals to a child.
Furthermore, the
handle of the present invention need not be shaped like a toy, but rather may
be configured as
a conventional generally cylindrical toothbrush handle to act as display case
for figurine 124
contained therein.
An indicia band 126 may additionally be provided for displaying a toy logo or
manufacturer information. Since the embodiment of the handle 116 shown in
Figs. 8-16 is
shaped like a rocket ship, it preferably includes fins 128 which simulate
rocket ship fins, but
also act as support feet for holding toothbrush 110 in an upright position for
easy storage or
display.
In the embodiment shown in Figs. 8-16, handle 116 includes two separate
sections,
upper section 118 and lower section 120, which are connectable via a pair of
spring arms 130
having detents 132 located at and extending outwardly from the tip of each
spring arm 130
formed on lower section 120, and a pair of recess slots 134 formed on upper
section 118.
When upper section 118 and lower section 120 are disconnected, figurine 124
may be
removed from or inserted into compartment 122 of handle 116.
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Detents 132 are preferably sized to fit within and have the same shape as
recess slots
134 of upper section 118. However, detents 132 and recess slots 134 may take
on a variety of
shapes other than those shown in Figs. 8-16, including channel, square,
circular, rectangular,
etc.
Upper section 118 and lower section 120 of handle 116 may be removably
attached by
pushing the two sections 118, 120 together, and sliding recess slots 134 and
the detent
132/spring arm 130 combination towards each other. When detents 132 reach
recess slots
134, detents 132 moves outwardly into recess slots 134 provided in upper
section 118 and
remain in recess slots 134 due to the spring force provided by spring arms
130, to couple
1o upper section 118 and lower section 120 together. Upper section 118 and
lower section 120
of handle 116 may be disconnected by simply pulling upper section 118 away
from lower
section 120 with enough force to overcome the spring force provided by spring
arms 130.
Figs. 14-16 best show how upper section 118 connects with lower section 120,
with Figs. 14
and 15 showing the two sections 118, 120 in their disconnected positions, and
Fig. 16
showing the two sections 118, 120 in their connected positions.
The ease with which upper section 118 and lower section 120 of handle 116 may
be
connected and disconnected makes toothbrush 110 ideal for children. Children
can easily
manipulate upper section 118 and lower section 120 when they desire to play
with figurine
124 as a separate toy, and can easily connect upper section 118 and lower
section 120 when it
is time to brush their teeth or to display and/or store figurine 124 within
handle 116.
Figs. 11-13 best show the configuration for retaining figurine 124 in a
stationary
position within hollow compartment 122. Four lower vertical ribs 136 are
provided in lower
section 120 of handle, and are arranged to contact the legs of figurine 124,
as best shown in
Fig. 13. Lower ribs 124 are arranged to retain and prevent figurine 124 from
moving within
compartment 122, but do not engage the legs of figurine 124 so tightly that
figurine 124
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cannot be removed easily by a child. Figurine 124 is further retained in
compartment 122 by
contact points 140 between the figurine 124 (e.g., the elbows and hands of
figurine 124) and
upper and lower sections 118, 120, as best shown in Fig. 13. Four upper
vertical ribs 138 may
also be provided to reinforce upper section 118, and may be configured to
further retain
figurine 124, although Figs. 8-16 show upper ribs 138 not in contact with
figurine 124.
Although Figs. 8-16 show one configuration for securing figurine 124 within
compartment 122, the present invention is not limited solely to this
configuration. For
example, the existence, size, number, and arrangement of lower ribs 136 will
depend upon the
size and shape of handle 116 as well as the size and shape of figurine 124.
The location of the
contact points 140 will likewise depend upon the size and shape of handle 116
and figurine
124.
Head 114 of the present invention may have a generally flat face that holds a
plurality
of tufts or bristles 100. Head 114 may have variety of shapes, including but
not limited to
circular, oval, square, rectangular, various regular or irregular shapes, etc.
Bristles 100 may be made from the same materials discussed previously for
bristles
18. Bristles 100 may also be mounted to head 114 in the same manner bristles
18 are
mounted to head 14. Furthermore, bristles 100 may also have the same
configurations or
arrangements discussed previously for bristles 18.
Although Figs. 8-16 illustrate a manually-operated toothbrush, the present
invention
2o may also be practiced where the head includes one or more power or
electrically operated
movable sections carrying cleaning elements. Such a movable section may
oscillate in a
rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with
respect to the
longitudinal axis of the head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or
transverse direction with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section may
oscillate in and out in a
direction toward and away from the outer surface of the head. The movable
section may rock
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WO 2005/030002 PCT/US2004/031339
back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable
section may rotate
continuously in the same direction, rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive
mechanism may
be used for imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural
movable
sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same type and
direction of
movement, or combinations of different movements may be used.
Similarly, handle 116 may be a power or electrically operated movable toy
rather than
a manually-operated toy as shown in Figs. 8-16. The power-operated handle may
function
alone as a movable toy or double as a movable toy and a mechanism to provide
one or more
power or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning elements in
head 114.
to Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed
herein. It is intended
that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a
true scope and
spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
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