EP1471852A1 - Brosse a dents electrique - Google Patents

Brosse a dents electrique

Info

Publication number
EP1471852A1
EP1471852A1 EP03705985A EP03705985A EP1471852A1 EP 1471852 A1 EP1471852 A1 EP 1471852A1 EP 03705985 A EP03705985 A EP 03705985A EP 03705985 A EP03705985 A EP 03705985A EP 1471852 A1 EP1471852 A1 EP 1471852A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tuft block
tuft
toothbrush
head
block
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03705985A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Eyal Eliav
Kyoungeun Ahn
John J. Gatzemeyer
Eduardo Jimenez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Colgate Palmolive Co
Original Assignee
Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/066,459 external-priority patent/US20030140437A1/en
Application filed by Colgate Palmolive Co filed Critical Colgate Palmolive Co
Publication of EP1471852A1 publication Critical patent/EP1471852A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
    • A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
    • A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
    • A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
    • A61C17/349—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor with multiple brush bodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
    • A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
    • A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
    • A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
    • A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
    • A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
    • A61C17/3409—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor characterized by the movement of the brush body
    • A61C17/3436—Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a powered toothbrush head that includes an oscillating block having bristles extending therefrom.
  • powered toothbrushes are generally known in the art which provide for cleaning and massaging of both the soft and hard tissue of the mouth.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 anangement 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 brash 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.
  • the two brash 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 includes a gear which meshes with gears for each of the other two sets so that rotation of the central set of brash elements will cause the other sets of brash 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 brash holder so that the brash 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 brisdes such as by being mounted on elastomeric base for independent movement.
  • 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.
  • 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 osciUating the other tuft block.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrash 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;
  • Figure 8 is a top plan view of the head shown in Figures 5-7.
  • 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 refiU head or the head 14/neck 12 section may be permanently attached to the handle 13 within the practice of this invention.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 20 as a reciprocating rotational motion indicated by the arrow 32.
  • tuft block 20 includes a cut-out or recess 28 into which an extension of 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 Hngual surfaces of the teeth, which is the 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • “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.
  • 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.).
  • 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.
  • bristles may be of the same length so that a planar brushing surface results from the various sections of head 14, the bristles could be of differing lengths.
  • 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.
  • the bristles 40 could be shorter than the bristles 38 to also create a cup-like structure.
  • 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.
  • FIGS 5-8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the sections on head 14 are reversed from that shown in Figures 1-4.
  • 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 28 A 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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 may also be practiced where the third section 36 or 36A is also movable.
  • 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, aU of the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
  • 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.
  • both tuft blocks could be of generally circular shape and a form of wiping action would still be achieved if one of the tuft blocks is eccentricaUy mounted.
  • both tuft blocks could be eccentrically mounted so that a double wiping affect is achieved.
  • 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.
  • both tuft blocks are of elongated shape with one tuft block being eccentrically mounted and the other tuft block mounted about its central axis.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Dentistry (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une tête de brosse à dents comprenant un premier ensemble de touffes de poils monté de sorte à osciller autour d'un axe central, et un deuxième ensemble allongé de touffes de poils monté de sorte à effectuer un mouvement rotatoire autour d'un axe excentrique par rapport à son point central. Un de ces ensembles de touffes de poils comporte un renfoncement destiné à recevoir une extension de l'autre ensemble de touffes de poils, de sorte à former un raccord d'entraînement entre les deux ensembles de touffes de poils. Ainsi, lorsqu'un des ensembles de touffes de poils est entraîné par une structure d'entraînement, le mouvement rotatoire dudit ensemble de touffes de poils provoque l'oscillation de l'autre ensemble de touffes de poils.
EP03705985A 2002-01-31 2003-01-30 Brosse a dents electrique Withdrawn EP1471852A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66459 2002-01-31
US10/066,459 US20030140437A1 (en) 2002-01-31 2002-01-31 Powered toothbrush
US10/119,222 US20030140435A1 (en) 2002-01-31 2002-04-09 Powered toothbrush
US119222 2002-04-09
PCT/US2003/002762 WO2003063722A1 (fr) 2002-01-31 2003-01-30 Brosse a dents electrique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1471852A1 true EP1471852A1 (fr) 2004-11-03

Family

ID=27667791

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03705985A Withdrawn EP1471852A1 (fr) 2002-01-31 2003-01-30 Brosse a dents electrique

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1471852A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN1642494A (fr)
BR (1) BR0307363A (fr)
CA (1) CA2474394A1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA04007374A (fr)
NO (1) NO20043609L (fr)
NZ (1) NZ534515A (fr)
PL (1) PL370060A1 (fr)
RU (1) RU2004126315A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003063722A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030226223A1 (en) * 2002-06-11 2003-12-11 The Procter & Gamble Co. High efficiency electric toothbrush
US20050050659A1 (en) 2003-09-09 2005-03-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrush comprising an electrically powered element
ATE548990T1 (de) 2003-09-09 2012-03-15 Procter & Gamble Beleuchtete elektrische zahnbürsten
WO2006098719A1 (fr) 2005-03-09 2006-09-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Brosses a dents electriques reactives a des capteurs et procedes pour les utiliser
BRPI0621362A2 (pt) 2006-02-17 2011-12-06 Procter & Gamble regimes e dispositivos de tratamento bucal
CN103260546B (zh) * 2010-12-20 2016-04-13 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 具有多个运动刷部件的电动牙刷及其刷头
CN108836541B (zh) * 2017-06-26 2020-10-27 嘉兴市全顺旅游用品有限公司 一种医用电动牙刷
CN108836548B (zh) * 2017-06-29 2020-10-13 泰州程顺制冷设备有限公司 医用电动刷牙机

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3630499A1 (de) * 1986-09-08 1988-03-10 Braun Ag Buerstenelement fuer eine elektrisch betriebene zahnbuerste
DE9304184U1 (de) * 1993-03-20 1993-05-27 Rowenta-Werke Gmbh, 6050 Offenbach Aufsteckvorrichtung für einen elektrischen Zahnbürstenantrieb
US5625916A (en) * 1995-05-24 1997-05-06 Mcdougall; Greg Toothbrush
EP1059049A1 (fr) * 1999-06-09 2000-12-13 DBD Srl Brosse à dents à actionnement manuel

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO03063722A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003063722A1 (fr) 2003-08-07
BR0307363A (pt) 2004-12-14
MXPA04007374A (es) 2004-11-26
NO20043609L (no) 2004-08-30
CN1642494A (zh) 2005-07-20
NZ534515A (en) 2006-09-29
RU2004126315A (ru) 2005-03-27
CA2474394A1 (fr) 2003-08-07
PL370060A1 (en) 2005-05-16

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