Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
62301-3155D1
TOOTHBRUSH HAVING A CLOSED-LOOP ARRANGEMENT OF CLEANING
ELEMENTS
This is a divisional of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,781,695 having a
filing date of December 18, 2009.
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to ansate oral care implements,
and specifically
to toothbrushes, either manual or powered, that have a handle and a head
having cleaning
elements for oral cleaning.
[0001a] It will be understood that any references to "the present invention"
or the like in this
specification may relate to subject-matter of this divisional or its parent.
Background of the Invention
[0002] A toothbrush is used to clean the teeth by removing plaque and debris
from the tooth
surfaces. Conventional toothbrushes provided with a flat bristle trim are
limited in their ability
to conform to the curvature of the teeth, to penetrate into the interproximal
areas between the
teeth, to sweep away the plaque and debris, and to clean along the gum line.
Additionally,
such toothbrushes have a limited ability to retain dentifrice for cleaning the
teeth. During the
brushing process, the dentifrice typically slips through the tufts of bristles
and away from the
contact between the bristles and the teeth. As a result, the dentifrice is
often spread around the
mouth, rather than being concentrated on the contact of the bristles with the
teeth. Therefore,
the efficiency of the cleaning process is reduced.
[0003] While substantial efforts have been made to modify the cleaning
elements of
toothbrushes to improve the efficiency of the oral cleaning process and to
hold the dentifrice
in place during brushing, the industry continues to pursue arrangements of
cleaning elements
that will improve upon the preceding technology.
1
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
62301-3155D1
[0004] In an early attempt at improving the cleaning elements, toothbrushes
were developed
having two or three circular brush sections which are arranged within holders
that may be
screwed into mating receptacles in the tooth brush handle so that they can be
removed and
replaced as needed. Each brush section contains stiff cleaning elements and is
spaced from the
other along the longitudinal axis of the handle at a distance less than the
thickness of a tooth
so that the brush operates on both the lingual (inside) and facial (outside)
surfaces of the teeth.
la
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
WO 2011/084116 PCT/US2009/068647
[0005] Another existing toothbrush includes a head containing a flexible,
rubber-like
prophylaxis polishing cup or "prophy cup" similar to that used by dental
personnel to
professionally clean teeth. This prophy cup is loaded with toothpaste by the
user and
applied to the teeth. The "soft rubber-like prophy cup device follows the
contours of
teeth more effectively than bristles." A ring of cleaning elements ("bristle
tufts") are
placed about the periphery of the toothbrush head which co-act with the prophy
cups to
clean the user's teeth and gums.
[0006] More recently, the strategic arrangement and combination of cleaning
elements in
the form of elastomeric prophy cups and bristle tufts has become more common
as a way
of improving cleaning efficiency and maintaining the dentifrice in place
during brushing.
One example of the combined use and strategic arrangement of elastomeric
prophy cups
and bristle tufts is a toothbrush having a head portion comprising a plurality
of inner
loops formed by elastomeric walls. The central inner loop is surrounded by
outer loops
formed of bristles. A central cleaning element, formed as a bristle tuft, is
located within
the elastomeric inner loop.
[0007] Another example of the combined use and strategic arrangement of
elastomeric
prophy cups and bristle tufts can be found in a toothbrush having a head
portion
comprising a plurality of soft elastomer prophy cups surrounded by bristle
rings. In
another embodiment, a toothbrush exists wherein the centralized prophy cups
are formed
by groups of densely packed cleaning elements that are surrounded by bristle
rings. The
bristle rings in this toothbrush are also disclosed as having one or more
tufts at an
inclination.
Summary of the Invention
[00081 In one aspect, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a handle:
a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface, a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a first set of cleaning
elements forming a
loop that extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal
periphery of the
head, the first set of cleaning elements comprising: a first par-elliptical
wall of cleaning
elements located at the distal periphery of the head, the first par-elliptical
wall
terminating in a first end and a second end; a second par-elliptical wall of
cleaning
2
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
WO 2011/084116 PCT/US2009/068647
elements located at the proximal periphery of the head, the second par-
elliptical wall
terminating in a first end and a second end; a first row of cleaning elements
extending
from the first end of the first par-elliptical wall to the first end of the
second par-elliptical
wall; and a second row of cleaning elements extending from the second end of
the first
par-elliptical wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall;
wherein the first and
second rows are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis and the
lateral axis,
the first and second rows separated by a first distance that increases with
distance from
the lateral axis; a third row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the
first row and
located along a first lateral periphery of the head, the third row located
outside of the
loop, the third row extending upward from the first surface at an incline so
as to diverge
from the first row, the third row having a height that is greater than a
height of the first
row; and a fourth row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the second
row and
located along a second lateral periphery of the head, the fourth row located
outside of the
loop, the fourth row extending upward from the first surface at an incline so
as to diverge
from the second row, the fourth row having a height that is greater than a
height of the
second row.
[0009] In another aspect, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements forming a
loop that
extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the
head, the
first set of cleaning elements comprising: a first par-elliptical wall of
cleaning elements
located at the distal periphery of the head, the first par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first
end and a second end; a second par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements
located at the
proximal periphery of the head, the second par-elliptical wall terminating in
a first end
and a second end; a first row of cleaning elements extending from the first
end of the first
par-elliptical wall to the first end of the second par-elliptical wall; and a
second row of
cleaning elements extending from the second end of the first par-elliptical
wall to the
second end of the second par-elliptical wall; a third row of cleaning elements
extending
adjacent to the first row and located along a first lateral periphery of the
head, the third
row located outside of the loop, the third row extending upward from the first
surface at
an incline so as to diverge from the first row, the third row having a height
that is greater
3
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
WO 2011/084116 PCT/US2009/068647
than a height of the first row; and a fourth row of cleaning elements
extending adjacent to
the second row and located along a second lateral periphery of the head, the
fourth row
located outside of the loop, the fourth row extending upward from the first
surface at an
incline so as to diverge from the second row, the fourth row having a height
that is
greater than a height of the second row.
[0010] In yet another aspect, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a
head connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a
first surface and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements
forming a loop that
extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the
head, the
first set of cleaning elements comprising: a first par-elliptical wall of
cleaning elements
located at the distal periphery of the head, the first par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first
end and a second end; a second par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements
located at the
proximal periphery of the head, the second par-elliptical wall terminating in
a first end
and a second end; a first arcuate row of cleaning elements extending from the
first end of
the first par-elliptical wall to the first end of the second par-elliptical
wall; and a second
arcuate row of cleaning elements extending from the second end of the first
par-elliptical
wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall; and wherein the
first and second
arcuate rows are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis so that
peripheral
convex surfaces of the first and second arcuate rows face the longitudinal
axis.
[0011] In still another aspect, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising:
a handle: a
head connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a
first surface and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements
forming a loop that
extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the
head, the
first set of cleaning elements comprising: a first par-elliptical wall of
cleaning elements
located at the distal periphery of the head, the first par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first
end and a second end; a second par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements
located at the
proximal periphery of the head, the second par-elliptical wall terminating in
a first end
and a second end; a first row of cleaning elements extending from the first
end of the first
par-elliptical wall to the first end of the second par-elliptical wall; and a
second row of
cleaning elements extending from the second end of the first par-elliptical
wall to the
4
CA 02919870 2017-02-09
62301-3155D1
second end of the second par-elliptical wall; wherein a top surface of the
loop has a
longitudinal side profile that is a stretched out S-shape.
[0012] In a further aspect, the invention can be a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements forming a
loop that extends
from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the head;
and wherein a top
surface of the loop has a longitudinal side profile comprising a concave
section that extends
from a peak at a distal-most point of the loop to a transition point at a
middle-portion of the
loop, and a convex section that extends from the transition point to a
proximal-most point of
the second par-elliptical wall.
[0012a] In one aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a handle: a
head connected
to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal periphery, a
first surface, a
longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a first set of cleaning elements forming
a loop that extends
from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the head,
the loop being
symmetric about the lateral axis, the first set of cleaning elements
comprising: a first par-
elliptical wall of cleaning elements located at the distal periphery of the
head, the first par-
elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a second par-
elliptical wall of
cleaning elements located at the proximal periphery of the head, the second
par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first end and a second end; a first row of cleaning elements
extending from
the first end of the first par-elliptical wall to the first end of the second
par-elliptical wall; and
a second row of cleaning elements extending from the second end of the first
par-elliptical
wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall; wherein the first
and second rows are
symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis, the
first and second
rows separated by a first distance that only increases with longitudinal
distance from the
lateral axis; a third row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the first
row and located
along a first lateral periphery of the head, the third row located outside of
the loop, the third
row extending upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge
from the first row,
the third row having a height that is greater than a height of the first row;
and a fourth row of
cleaning elements extending adjacent to the second row and located along a
second lateral
5
CA 02919870 2017-02-09
62301-3155D1
periphery of the head, the fourth row located outside of the loop, the fourth
row extending
upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge from the second
row, the fourth
row having a height that is greater than a height of the second row; wherein
free ends of the
cleaning elements of each of the third and fourth rows form a convex
longitudinal side profile;
wherein free ends of the cleaning elements of each of the first and second
rows form a
concave longitudinal side profile; wherein the concave longitudinal side
profile of the first
row is in transverse alignment with the convex longitudinal side profile of
the third row; and
wherein the concave longitudinal side profile of the second row is in
transverse alignment
with the convex longitudinal side profile of the fourth row.
[0012b] In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements forming a
loop that extends
from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the head,
the first set of
cleaning elements comprising: a first par-elliptical wall of bristles located
at the distal
periphery of the head, the first par-elliptical wall terminating in a first
end and a second end; a
second par-elliptical wall of bristles located at the proximal periphery of
the head, the second
par-elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a first row
of bristles extending
from the first end of the first par-elliptical wall to the first end of the
second par-elliptical
wall; and a second row of bristles extending from the second end of the first
par-elliptical wall
to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall; a third row of bristles
extending adjacent to
the first row and located along a first lateral periphery of the head, the
third row located
outside of the loop, the third row extending upward from the first surface at
an incline so as to
diverge from the first row, the third row having a height that is greater than
a height of the
first row; and a fourth row of bristles extending adjacent to the second row
and located along
a second lateral periphery of the head, the fourth row located outside of the
loop, the fourth
row extending upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge
from the second
row, the fourth row having a height that is greater than a height of the
second row: wherein
free ends of the bristles of each of the third and fourth rows form a convex
longitudinal side
profile; wherein free ends of the bristles of each of the first and second
rows form a concave
longitudinal side profile; wherein the concave longitudinal side profile of
the first row is in
5a
CA 02919870 2017-02-09
62301-3155D1
transverse alignment with the convex longitudinal side profile of the third
row; and wherein
the concave longitudinal side profile of the second row is in transverse
alignment with the
convex longitudinal side profile of the fourth row.
[0012c] In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface, a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning
elements forming a loop
that extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery
of the head, the
loop being symmetric about the lateral axis, the first set of cleaning
elements comprising: a
first par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements located at the distal periphery
of the head, the first
par-elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a second par-
elliptical wall of
cleaning elements located at the proximal periphery of the head, the second
par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first end and a second end; a first arcuate row of cleaning
elements extending
from the first end of the first par-elliptical wall to the first end of the
second par-elliptical
wall; and a second arcuate row of cleaning elements extending from the second
end of the
first par-elliptical wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall;
wherein the first and
second arcuate rows are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis so
that peripheral
convex surfaces of the first and second arcuate rows face the longitudinal
axis; and wherein
the peripheral convex surface of the first arcuate row extends from the first
end of the first
par-elliptical wall to the first end of the second par-elliptical wall and
wherein the peripheral
convex surface of the second arcuate row extends from the second end of the
first par-
elliptical wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall and a
third row of cleaning
elements extending adjacent to the first row and located along a first lateral
periphery of the
head, the third row located outside of the loop, the third row extending
upward from the first
surface at an incline so as to diverge from the first row, the third row
having a height that is
.. greater than a height of the first row; and a fourth row of cleaning
elements extending
adjacent to the second row and located along a second lateral periphery of the
head, the fourth
row located outside of the loop, the fourth row extending upward from the
first surface at an
incline so as to diverge from the second row, the fourth row having a height
that is greater
than a height of the second row; wherein free ends of the cleaning elements of
each of the
.. third and fourth rows form a concave longitudinal side profile; wherein
free ends of the
5b
= .
81791263
cleaning elements of each of the first and second rows form a convex
longitudinal side profile;
wherein the convex longitudinal side profile of the first row is in transverse
alignment with
the concave longitudinal side profile of the third row; wherein the convex
longitudinal side
profile of the second row is in transverse alignment with the concave
longitudinal side profile
of the fourth row.
[0012d] In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle; a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface, a lateral and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements
forming a loop that
extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the
head, the loop
being symmetric about the lateral axis, the first set of cleaning elements
comprising: a first
par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements located at the distal periphery of
the head, the first par-
elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a second par-
elliptical wall of
cleaning elements located at the proximal periphery of the head, the second
par-elliptical wall
terminating in at first end and a second end; a first arcuate row of cleaning
elements having a
peripheral convex surface facing the longitudinal axis, the peripheral convex
surface of the
first arcuate row extending from the first end of the first par-elliptical
wall to the first end of
the second par-elliptical wall; and a second arcuate row of cleaning elements
having a
peripheral convex surface facing the longitudinal axis, the peripheral convex
surface of the
second arcuate row extending from the second end of the first par-elliptical
wall to the second
end of the second par-elliptical wall; and wherein the first and second
arcuate rows are
symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the
head, the first
and second arcuate rows separated from each other by a transverse distance
that only
increases with longitudinal distance from the lateral axis, a third row of
cleaning elements
extending adjacent to the first arcuate row and located along a first lateral
periphery of the
head, the third row located outside of the loop, the third row extending
upward from the first
surface at an incline so as to diverge from the first arcuate row, the third
row having a height
that is greater than a height of the first arcuate row; and a fourth row of
cleaning elements
extending adjacent to the second arcuate row and located along a second
lateral periphery of
the head, the fourth row located outside of the loop, the fourth row extending
upward from the
first surface at an incline so as to diverge from the second arcuate row, the
fourth row having
5c
CA 2919870 2019-02-01
1
81791263
a height that is greater than a height of the second arcuate row; wherein free
ends of the
cleaning elements of each of the third and fourth rows form a concave
longitudinal side
profile; wherein free ends of the cleaning elements of each of the first and
second rows form a
concave longitudinal side profile; wherein the concave longitudinal side
profile of the first
row is in transverse alignment with the convex longitudinal side profile of
the third row;
wherein the concave longitudinal side profile of the second row is in
transverse alignment
with the convex longitudinal side profile of the fourth row.
[0012e1 In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle; a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface and a longitudinal axis; a set of bristles forming a loop that extends
from the distal
periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the head; and wherein a top
surface of the
loop has a longitudinal side profile comprising a concave section that extends
from a peak at a
distal-most point of the loop to a transition point at a middle-portion of the
loop, and a convex
section that extends from the transition point to a proximal-most point of the
loop; and a third
row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the loop and located along a
first lateral
periphery of the head, the third row located outside of the loop, the third
row extending
upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge from the loop,
the third row having
a height that is greater than a height of the concave section of the loop; and
a fourth row of
cleaning elements extending adjacent to the loop and located along a second
lateral periphery
of the head, the fourth row located outside of the loop, the fourth row
extending upward from
the first surface at an incline so as to diverge from the loop, the fourth row
having a height
that is greater than a height of the concave section of the loop; wherein free
ends of the
cleaning elements of each of the third and fourth rows form a convex
longitudinal side profile;
wherein the concave longitudinal side profile of the loop is in transverse
alignment with the
convex longitudinal side profile of the third row; wherein the concave
longitudinal side profile
of the loop is in transverse alignment with the convex longitudinal side
profile of the fourth
row.
[00121 In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a handle:
a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface, a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a first set of cleaning
elements forming a loop
5d
CA 2919870 2019-02-01
81791263
that extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery
of the head, the
loop being symmetric about the lateral axis, the first set of cleaning
elements comprising: a
first par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements located at the distal periphery
of the head, the first
par-elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a second par-
elliptical wall of
cleaning elements located at the proximal periphery of the head, the second
par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first end and a second end; a first row of cleaning elements
extending from
the first end of the first par-elliptical wall to the first end of the second
par-elliptical wall; and
a second row of cleaning elements extending from the second end of the first
par-elliptical
wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall; wherein the first
and second rows are
symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis, the
first and second
rows separated by a transverse distance that increases with longitudinal
distance from the
lateral axis; a third row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the first
row and located
along a first lateral periphery of the head, the third row located outside of
the loop, the third
row extending upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge
from the first row;
and a fourth row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the second row and
located along
a second lateral periphery of the head, the fourth row located outside of the
loop, the fourth
row extending upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge
from the second
row.
[0012g] In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements forming a
loop that extends
from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the head,
the first set of
cleaning elements comprising: a first par-elliptical wall of bristle tufts
located at the distal
periphery of the head, the first par-elliptical wall terminating in a first
end and a second end; a
second par-elliptical wall of bristle tufts located at the proximal periphery
of the head, the
second par-elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a
first arcuate row of
bristle tufts extending from the first end of the first par-elliptical wall to
the first end of the
second par-elliptical wall, the first arcuate row having a convex inner
surface and a concave
outer surface; and a second arcuate row of bristle tufts extending from the
second end of the
first par-elliptical wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall,
the second arcuate
5e
CA 2919870 2019-02-01
=
81791263
row having a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface; a third row of
bristles
extending adjacent to the first row and located along a first lateral
periphery of the head, the
third row located outside of the loop; a fourth row of bristles extending
adjacent to the second
row and located along a second lateral periphery of the head, the fourth row
located outside of
the loop; a first prophylaxis cup located within the loop and at least
partially nested within the
first par-elliptical wall; and a second prophylaxis cup located within the
loop and at least
partially nested within the second par-elliptical wall.
10012h1 In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface, a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning
elements forming a loop
that extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery
of the head, the
loop being symmetric about the lateral axis, the first set of cleaning
elements comprising: a
first par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements located at the distal periphery
of the head, the first
par-elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a second par-
elliptical wall of
cleaning elements located at the proximal periphery of the head, the second
par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first end and a second end; a first arcuate row of cleaning
elements having a
peripheral convex surface facing the longitudinal axis, the peripheral convex
surface of the
first arcuate row extending from the first end of the first par-elliptical
wall to the first end of
the second par-elliptical wall; and a second arcuate row of cleaning elements
having a
peripheral convex surface facing the longitudinal axis, the peripheral convex
surface of the
second arcuate row extending from the second end of the first par-elliptical
wall to the second
end of the second par-elliptical wall; and wherein the first and second
arcuate rows are
symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis of the
head, the first
and second arcuate rows separated from each other by a transverse distance
that increases
with longitudinal distance from the lateral axis.
1001211 In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface and a longitudinal axis; a first set of cleaning elements forming a
loop that extends
from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery of the head,
the first set of
cleaning elements consisting solely of bristle tufts, the loop comprising a
distal par-elliptical
5f
CA 2919870 2019-02-01
81791263
portion, a proximal par-elliptical portion, and a narrowed waist portion
between the distal and
proximal par-elliptical portions; a first prophylaxis cup located within the
loop and at least
partially nested within the distal par-elliptical portion; a second
prophylaxis cup located
within the loop and at least partially nested within the proximal par-
elliptical portion; and a
pair of elastomeric wall sections located in the loop and nesting within the
narrowed waist
portion of the loop.
[0012j] In another aspect, there is provided a toothbrush comprising: a
handle: a head
connected to the handle, the head having a proximal periphery, a distal
periphery, a first
surface, a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a first set of cleaning
elements forming a loop
that extends from the distal periphery of the head to the proximal periphery
of the head, the
loop being symmetric about the lateral axis, the first set of cleaning
elements comprising: a
first par-elliptical wall of cleaning elements located at the distal periphery
of the head, the first
par-elliptical wall terminating in a first end and a second end; a second par-
elliptical wall of
cleaning elements located at the proximal periphery of the head, the second
par-elliptical wall
terminating in a first end and a second end; a first row of cleaning elements
extending from
the first end of the first par-elliptical wall to the first end of the second
par-elliptical wall; and
a second row of cleaning elements extending from the second end of the first
par-elliptical
wall to the second end of the second par-elliptical wall; wherein the first
and second rows are
symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis, the
first and second
rows separated by a transverse distance that increases with longitudinal
distance from the
lateral axis; a third row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the first
row and located
along a first lateral periphery of the head, the third row located outside of
the loop, the third
row extending upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge
from the first row; a
fourth row of cleaning elements extending adjacent to the second row and
located along a
second lateral periphery of the head, the fourth row located outside of the
loop, the fourth row
extending upward from the first surface at an incline so as to diverge from
the second row; a
first prophylaxis cup located within the loop and at least partially nested
within the first par-
elliptical wall, the first prophylaxis cup comprising at least one arcuate
elastomeric wall
section; a second prophylaxis cup located within the loop and at least
partially nested within
the second par-elliptical wall, the second prophylaxis cup comprising at least
one arcuate
5g
CA 2919870 2019-02-01
81791263
elastomeric wall section; a first central cleaning element located within the
first prophylaxis
cup and extending along a central axis of the first prophylaxis cup; a second
central cleaning
element located within the second prophylaxis cup and extending along a
central axis of the
second prophylaxis cup; a pair of elastomeric wall sections located in the
loop and between
the first and second rows of cleaning elements; a first inboard cleaning
element located within
the loop and between the pair of elastomeric wall sections and the first
prophylaxis cup; and a
second inboard cleaning element located within the loop and between the pair
of elastomeric
wall sections and the second prophylaxis cup; wherein each of the first and
second rows is an
arcuate wall having a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, the
first and second
rows forming form a narrowed waist portion of the loop, and wherein the third
and fourth
rows are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal and lateral axes of the
head; and
wherein a first channel is formed between the first and third rows and a
second channel is
formed between the second and fourth rows.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013] This invention is capable of use in a broad array of oral care
implements and hygiene
products. The drawings illustrate one use of the invention and are not to be
construed as the
only embodiment of the invention.
[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view a toothbrush according to one embodiment
of the
present invention.
[0015] Figure 2 is a front view of the toothbrush of Figure 1.
[0016] Figure 3 is a left-side view the toothbrush of Figure 1.
[0017] Figure 4 is a right-side view the toothbrush of Figure 1.
[0018] Figure 5 is a top view of the toothbrush of Figure 1.
[0019] Figure 6 is a close-up perspective view of the head of the toothbrush
of Figure 1.
[0020] Figure 7 is a close-up front view of the head of the toothbrush of
Figure 1.
5h
CA 2919870 2019-02-01
81791263
[0021] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the head of the toothbrush of
Figure 1 along view
VIII-VIII of Figure 7.
[0022] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the head of the toothbrush of
Figure 1 along view
IX-IX of Figure 7.
[0023] Figure 10 is a left-side view of the toothbrush of Figure 1 wherein
certain cleaning
elements have been removed to clearly show a lateral side profile of the
substantially closed-
loop formed by the first set of cleaning elements.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
Si
CA 2919870 2019-02-01
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
WO 2011/084116 PCT/US2009/068647
[0024] In the following description, the invention is discussed in terms of a
manual
toothbrush incorporating the subject arrangement of cleaning elements.
However, in
other forms, the invention could be in the form of other oral care implements
including a
soft-tissue cleansing implement, a powered toothbrush, or other ansate
implement
designed for oral care.
[0025] Referring first to Figures 1-5 concurrently, a toothbrush 100 is
illustrated
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The toothbrush 100
generally
comprises a handle 110 and a head 120. The handle 110 provides the user with a
mechanism by which he/she can readily grip and manipulate the toothbrush 100.
The
handle 110 is generically illustrated and may be formed of many different
shapes, sizes,
materials and a variety of manufacturing methods that are well-known to those
skilled in
the art. If desired, the handle 110 may include a suitable textured grip (not
shown) made
of elastomeric material or can be a multi-part construction. Stated simply,
the details of
the handle 110 are not limiting of the present invention and, thus, require no
further
discussion for purposes of the present invention.
[0026] The toothbrush 100 extends from a proximal end 112 to a distal end 113
along a
longitudinal axis A-A (illustrated in FIG. 2). The head 120 is operably
connected to the
handle 110. The head 120 and handle 110 of the toothbrush are preferably
formed as a
single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable
process.
However, in other embodiments, the handle 110 and head 120 may be formed as
separate
components which are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing
process
by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation
thermal welding,
a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, adhesion, or fasteners. Whether the
head 120 and
handle 110 are of a unitary or multi-piece construction (including connection
techniques)
is not limiting of the present invention.
[0027] It should be noted at this time that relative terms such as distal,
middle, proximal,
upper, lower, top, bottom, left, right etc. are merely used to delineate
relative positions of
the components of the toothbrush 100 with respect to one another and are not
intended to
be in any further way limiting of the present invention.
[0028] The head 120 generally comprises a front surface 121 and a rear surface
122. The
front surface 121 and the rear surface 122 of the head 120 can take on a wide
variety of
6
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
6z301-3155
shapes and contours, none of which are limiting of the present invention. For
example,
the front and rear surfaces 121, 122 can be planar, contoured or combinations
thereof.
Moreover, if desired, the rear surface 122 may also comprise additional
structures for oral
cleaning, such as a soft tissue cleanser. An example of a suitable soft tissue
cleanser is
disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,143,462, issued December 5, 2006 to the assignee of
the
present application.
Furthermore, while the head 120 is normally widened relative to the neck 111
of the
handle 110, it could in some constructions simply be a continuous extension or
narrowing
of the handle 110.
[0029] The head 120 also comprises a distal periphery 124, a first lateral
periphery 125, a
second later periphery 126, and a proximal periphery 127. The distal periphery
124, the
first lateral periphery 125 and the second later periphery 126 are bound by a
peripheral
side surface 123 of the head 120. The proximal periphery 127 is defined where
the head
120 transitions into the neck 111.
[0030] A collection 130 of cleaning elements are provided on the front surface
of the
head 120 for cleaning contact with an oral surface, preferably teeth. While
the collection
130 of cleaning elements is particularly suited for brushing teeth, the
collection 130 of
cleaning elements can also be used to clean oral soft tissue, such as a
tongue, gums, or
cheeks instead of or in addition to teeth. As used herein, the term "cleaning
element" is
used in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean or
massage an
oral surface through relative surface contact. Common examples of "cleaning
elements"
include, without limitation, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon
bristles, spiral bristles,
rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, co-
extruded
filaments, flag bristles, crimped bristles, anti-bacterial bristles and
combinations thereof
and/or structures containing such materials or combinations.
[0031] The collection 130 of cleaning elements of the present invention can be
connected
to the head 120 in any manner known in the art. For example, anchor free
tufting (AFT)
could be used to mount the cleaning elements. In AFT, a plate or membrane is
secured to
the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding. The bristles (or other
elastomeric
elements) extend through the plate or membrane. The free ends of the bristles
on one side
of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the
bristles on the
7
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
=
WO 2011/084116 PCT/US2009/068647
other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored
in place.
Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of
this
invention. Alternatively, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or
sections by
extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the
bristles is
mounted within or below the tuft block.
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 concurrently, the details of the head
120 and the
collection 130 of cleaning elements extending therefrom will be described in
accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. The head 120 of the toothbrush
comprises
a longitudinal axis A-A and a lateral axis C-C. Generally, the collection 130
of cleaning
elements comprises a first set 140 of cleaning elements, a second set 150 of
cleaning
elements, a third set 160 of cleaning elements, and a plurality of prophylaxis
cups 171-
173.
[0033] The first set 140 of cleaning elements generally comprises a distal par-
elliptical
wall 141 of cleaning elements, two arcuate rows 142-143 of cleaning elements,
and a
proximal par-elliptical wall 144. The distal par-elliptical wall 141 is formed
by the
cleaning elements 141a-b. The proximal par-elliptical wall 144 is formed by
the
cleaning elements 144a-d. The first arcuate row 142 is formed by cleaning
elements
142a-c while the second arcuate row 143 is formed by cleaning elements 143a-c.
[0034] The second set 150 of cleaning elements are arranged in a row along the
lateral
periphery 125 of the head 120. Similarly, the third set 160 of cleaning
elements are
arranged in a row along the lateral periphery 126 of the head 120.
Specifically, the row
formed by the first set 150 of cleaning elements comprises cleaning elements
150a-e
while the row formed by the second set 160 of cleaning elements comprises
cleaning
elements 160a-e.
[0035] Preferably, all of the cleaning elements of the distal par-elliptical
wall 141, the
two arcuate rows 142-143, and the proximal par-elliptical wall 144 are formed
by densely
packed bristles. However, the invention is not so limited and one, a few, or
all of these
cleaning elements can be formed of another material, such as an elastomer,
etc.
Moreover, while the distal par-elliptical wall 141, the two arcuate rows 142-
143, and the
proximal par-elliptical wall 144 are illustrated as being formed by two, three
and four
cleaning elements respectively, each of the distal par-elliptical wall 141,
the two arcuate
8
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
" WO 2011/084116
PCT/US2009/068647
rows 142-143, and the proximal par-elliptical wall 144 can be formed by more
or less
cleaning elements than the illustrated embodiment. Moreover, it is even
possible that the
distal par-elliptical wall 141, the two arcuate rows 142-143, and the proximal
par-
elliptical wall 144 be formed as a single cleaning element wall.
[00361 The prophylaxis cup 171 is formed by three arcuate elastomeric wall
sections
171a-c. Similarly, the prophylaxis cup 173 is formed by three arcuate
elastomeric wall
sections 172a-c. The central prophylaxis cup 172 is formed by two arcuate
elastomeric
wall sections 172a-b. Of course, each of the prophylaxis cups 171-173 can be
constructed by more or less sections than the illustrated embodiment and can
be
constructed of other materials, such as densely packed bristles. Suitable
elastomeric
materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an
oral hygiene
apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning benefits, the
elastomeric
material preferably has a hardness property in the range of A10 to A40 Shore
hardness,
and preferably A25 Shore hardness. One preferred elastomeric material is
styrene-
ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS
Corporation.
Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within
and
outside the noted hardness range could be used.
[00371 All of the prophylaxis cups 171-173 are arranged within a loop, which
is
preferably a substantially closed loop, formed by the first set of cleaning
elements 140
(which will be discussed in greater detail below). The prophylaxis cups 171-
173 are also
arranged along the longitudinal axis A-A of the head. The prophylaxis cup 172
is also
located on the lateral axis C-C of the head 120.
[00381 In further relation to the first set of cleaning elements 140, the
prophylaxis cup
171 is located within the distal par-elliptical wall 141 and the prophylaxis
cup 173 is
located within the proximal par-elliptical wall 144. The prophylaxis cup 172
is centrally
located between the two arcuate rows 142-143.
[0039] An elongated central cleaning element 181-183 is located within each of
the
prophylaxis cups 171-173 and extends upward from the first surface 121 of the
head 120
in a substantially noimal manner. Specifically, the central cleaning element
181 is
located within the prophylaxis cup 171 and extends along a central axis X-X of
the
prophylaxis cup 171. The central cleaning element 182 is located within the
prophylaxis
9
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
WO 2011/084116 PCT/US2009/068647
cup 172 and extends along a central axis Y-Y of the prophylaxis cup 172, The
central
cleaning element 183 is located within the prophylaxis cup 173 and extends
along a
central axis Z-Z of the prophylaxis cup 173. Each of the elongated cleaning
elements
181-183 is preferably taller than its respective prophylaxis cup 171-173 and
extends
above its top surface. Each of the elongated central cleaning elements 181-183
terminate
in a cleaning end that is preferably a cone-like tip. Of course, the invention
is not so
limited and the cleaning ends of the central cleaning elements 181-183 can
take on other
shapes. The central cleaning elements 181-183 are preferably densely packed
bristle tufts
but can be elastomeric fingers if desired. In some embodiments of the
invention, the
elongated cleaning elements 181-183 may be omitted all together.
[0040] A first pair of elongated cleaning elements 191a-b is also located
within the
substantially closed loop formed by the first set 140 of cleaning elements.
The first pair
of elongated cleaning elements 191a-b is located between the first prophylaxis
cup 171
and the second prophylaxis cup 172. Similarly, a second pair of elongated
cleaning
elements 192a-b is located within the substantially closed loop formed by the
first set 140
of cleaning elements. The second pair of elongated cleaning elements 192a-b is
located
between the second prophylaxis cup 172 and the second prophylaxis cup 173
[0041] Referring solely now to FIG. 7, the details of the front profile of the
first set 140
of cleaning elements will be discussed. Collectively, the distal par-
elliptical wall 141 of
cleaning elements, the two arcuate rows 142-143 of cleaning elements, and the
proximal
par-elliptical wall 144 form a substantially closed-loop that extends from the
distal
periphery 124 of the head 120 to the proximal periphery 127 of the head 120.
The
substantially closed-loop formed by the distal par-elliptical wall 141 of
cleaning
elements, the two arcuate rows 142-143 of cleaning elements, and the proximal
par-
elliptical wall 144 is also symmetrically located along the longitudinal axis
A-A of the
head 120. As best visible in FIG. 7, the substantially closed-loop resembles a
racetrack in
shape. Of course, other shapes can be utilized in certain alternative
embodiments.
[0042] The distal par-elliptical wall 141 circumferentially extends from a
first end 241a
to a second end 241b. The distal par-elliptical wall 141 circumferentially
extends at least
180 degrees, and in the illustrated embodiment extends about 180 degrees. The
proximal
par-elliptical wall 144 circumferentially extends from a first end 244a to a
second end
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
=
W.-101-3155
244b. The proximal par-elliptical wall 144 circumferentially extends at least
180
degrees, and in the illustrated embodiment extends about 180 degrees.
[0043] The first arcuate row 142 extends from the first end 241a of the distal
par-
elliptical wall 141 to the first end 244a of the proximal par-elliptical wall
144. Similarly,
the second arcuate row 143 extends from the second end 241b of the distal par-
elliptical
wall 141 to the second end 244a of the proximal par-elliptical wall 144. The
first and
second arcuate rows 142, 143 are arranged on the head 120 so as to be
symmetrically
located about both the longitudinal axis A-A and the lateral axis C-C of the
head. The
first and second arcuate rows 142,143 are separated by a distance D that
increases with
distance from the lateral axis C-C. The arcuate rows 142, 143 are arranged so
that their
convex peripheral surfaces oppose one another.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9 concurrently, the details of the second and
third sets
150, 160 of cleaning elements will be discussed, along with their relationship
to the first
set 140 of cleaning elements and the head 120. As mentioned above, the third
and second
sets 150, 160 of cleaning elements are arranged in rows along the first and
second lateral
peripheries 125, 126 of the head 120 respectively. The cleaning elements 160a-
e extend
from the first surface 121 of the head 120 at a non-normal angle 0 so that the
cleaning
elements 160a-e extend from the first surface 121 of the head 120 so as to
diverge from
the second row 143 of cleaning elements (which preferably extend from the
first surface
121 at a substantially normal angle). Similarly, the cleaning elements 150a-e
extend
from the first surface 121 of the head 120 at a non-normal angle 0 so that the
cleaning
elements 150a-e extend from the first surface 121 of the head 120 so as to
diverge from
the first row 142 of cleaning elements (which preferably extend from the first
surface 121
at a substantially normal angle). Preferably, the-angle 0 is in the range of
75 to 89 degrees,
and most preferably 86 degrees.
[0045] A longitudinal channel 165 is formed between the third set 160 of
cleaning
elements 160a-e and the third row 143 of cleaning elements 143a-c. Similarly,
a
longitudinal channel 155 is formed between the second set 150 of cleaning
elements
150a-e and the second row 142 of cleaning elements 142a-c. The longitudinal
channels
155, 165 provides a cavity for receiving and retaining dentifrice during oral
care.
11
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
6z...501-3155
[0046] The cleaning elements 160a-e of the third set 160 terminate in cleaning
ends 161a-e.
The cleaning ends 161a-e are preferably tapered so as to form a longitudinal
edge 162 along
the row formed by the third set 160 of cleaning elements 160a-e. Similarly,
the cleaning
elements 150a-e of the second set 150 terminate in cleaning ends 151a-e. The
cleaning ends
151a-e are preferably tapered so as to form a second longitudinal edge 152
along the row
formed by the third set 150 of cleaning elements 150a-e. The tapered and
inclined nature of
the second and third rows 150, 160 of cleaning elements 150a-e, 160a-e not
only affords
increased cleaning of the teeth along the gum line during brushing but also
provides a means
by which to direct dentifrice into those areas.
[0047] As best visible in FIG. 9, the second and third sets 150, 160 of
cleaning elements
150a-e, 160a-e are taller than the second and third rows 142, 143 of cleaning
elements
142-c, 143a-c respectively. Stated another way, the second and third sets 150,
160 of cleaning
elements 150a-e, 160a-e have a maximum height that is greater than the maximum
height of
the second and third rows 142, 143 of cleaning elements 142-c, 143a-e
respectively. As used
.. herein, a height is the normal distance from the first surface 121 of the
head 120 to the
uppermost portion of the subject element.
[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 9 concurrently, as discussed above, the
prophylaxis cup
171 is located within the distal par-elliptical wall 141 and the prophylaxis
cup 173 is located
within the proximal par-elliptical wall 144. As a result an annular channel
195 exists between
the prophylaxis cup 171 and the distal par-elliptical wall 141. Similarly, an
annular channel
196 exists between the prophylaxis cup 173 and the proximal par-elliptical
wall 144. These
annular channels 195, 196 provide cavities for receiving and further retaining
dentifrice
during oral care.
[0049] As can be seen in FIG. 9, the distal-most portion of the first par-
elliptical wall 141
extends upward from the first surface 121 of the head 120 in an inclined
manner at an angle p
away from the handle 110. Preferably, the angle p is in the range of 75 to 89
degrees, and
most preferably 86 degrees. Conversely, the proximal-most portion of the
second par-
12
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
6JJ1-3155
elliptical wall 144 extends upward from the first surface 121 of the head 120
in an inclined
manner at an angle b toward the handle 110. Preferably, the angle I is in the
range of 75 to
89 degrees, and most preferably 86 degrees.
12a
CA 02919870 2016-02-03
oz.501-3155
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 10 concurrently, the contour of the
substantially
closed-loop formed by the first set 140 f cleaning elements will be discussed.
FIG. 10
illustrates a simplified longitudinal side profile of the top surface of the
substantially
closed-loop formed by distal par-elliptical wall 141, the two arcuate rows 142-
143, and
the proximal par-elliptical wall 144. As can be seen, the top surface 149 has
a lateral side
profile comprising a concave section 40 that extends from a peak P at a distal-
most point
of the distal par-elliptical wall 141 to a transition point T at a middle-
portion of the two
arcuate rows 142-143. The lateral side profile also comprises a convex section
50 that
extends from the transition point T to a proximal-most point F of the second
par-elliptical
wall 144. The longitudinal side profile is essentially a stretched out S-
shape.
[0051] Described another way, the first par-elliptical wall 141 has a first
height 111 at the
first and second ends 241a,b and a peak height HP at the location where the
first par-
elliptical wall 144 intersects (or hypothetically would intersect) the
longitudinal axis A-A
The first par-elliptical wall 144 slopes upward from the first height HI to
the peak height
HP moving from the first and second ends 241a,b to the location P where the
first par-
elliptical wall intersects the longitudinal axis A-A. When moving from the
first par-
elliptical wall 141 to the second par-elliptical wall 144, the height of the
first and second
rows 142, 143 slopes downward for first a portion until a height 112 is
reached. After
this, the height of the first and second rows 142, 143 then slopes upward for
a second
portion until a height 113 is reached. At all points, the second par-
elliptical wall 144
preferably has a height that is greater than the height 112 and less than the
peak height
HP.
[0052] While a number of embodiments of the current invention have been
described and
illustrated in detail, various alternatives and modifications will become
readily apparent
to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
As
various changes could be made in the above methods, compositions and
structures
without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained
in this application, including all mechanisms and/or modes of interaction
described
above, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting in any way
the scope of
the appended claims.
13
