AU2012202526B2 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a loop arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice, a central cleaning element disposed within the loop, two opposing arcuate cleaning elements disposed on opposite sides of the loop, peripheral cleaning element with a stepped and tapered construction, elongate distal cleaning elements, and proximal cleaning elements. c~C) 0 c cn 0

Description

1 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title. Toothbrush The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- 2 This application is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No 2010249146 which is divisional of Australian Patent Application No 2004249300, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 5 TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention pertains to a toothbrush with an enhanced cleaning head. BACKGROUND A toothbrush is used to clean the teeth by removing plaque and debris from the 10 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 15 the tufts of bristles and away from the contact between the bristles and the teeth. As a result, the dentifrice often is 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. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which 20 has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application. Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as 25 "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. SUMMARY 30 A toothbrush is provided comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle, the head including a face and a longitudinal axis; a first dense pack of bristles and a second dense pack of bristles extending from the face and being spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, said first and 35 second dense packs each defining a distal cleaning area for engaging teeth of the user; and 3 a plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the face, some of the tufts extending at an inclination to the face and some of the tufts extending generally perpendicular to the face, a first portion of said tufts being positioned between the first and second dense packs and to surround said first and second dense packs, and a 5 second portion of the tufts being positioned on the face outside of the first portion of the tufts, at least one tuft of the second portion being positioned between the first and second dense packs, each tuft of the first portion defining a tuft cleaning area, and each said tuft cleaning area being smaller than the each said distal cleaning area, wherein the first portion of the tufts collectively form a generally circular first bristle ring 10 surrounding the first dense pack and a second generally circular bristle ring surrounding the second dense pack, the first bristle ring and the second bristle ring each having a center, respectively, and the first dense pack and the second dense pack each have a center, respectively, wherein the center of the first dense pack is generally coincident with the center of the first bristle ring, and the center of the second dense 15 pack is generally coincident with the center of the second bristle ring. A further toothbrush is provided comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle, the head including a face, a first end remote from the handle, a second end proximate to the handle, a pair of sides extending between the 20 ends, and a longitudinal axis; a first dense pack of bristles and a second dense pack of bristles extending from the face and being spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, said first and second dense packs each including an end remote from the face, each said end defining a first perimeter; and 25 a plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the face, some of the tufts extending at an inclination to the face and some of the tufts extending generally perpendicular to the face, a first portion of said tufts being positioned on the face to encircle said first and second dense packs, and a second portion of the tufts being positioned on the face outside of the first portion of the tufts, the first portion of tufts 30 extending farther from the face than the first and second dense packs, each of the first portion of said tufts having a distal end remote from the face each said distal end defining a second perimeter which is smaller than said first perimeter, a plurality of said second portion of tufts being positioned at the first end of the head, and a plurality of said second portion of tufts being positioned along said sides of the head; wherein 35 the first portion of tufts collectively form a generally circular first bristle ring around the first dense pack and a second generally circular bristle ring around the second dense 4 pack, the first bristle ring and the second bristle ring each having a center, respectively, and the first dense pack and the second dense pack each have a center, respectively, wherein the center of the first dense pack is generally coincident with the center of the first bristle ring, and the center of the second dense pack is generally coincident with 5 the center of the second bristle ring. Described herein is a toothbrush with a novel arrangement of cleaning elements to provide superior cleaning of the teeth. In one aspect, a toothbrush includes a head having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a base surface. The tooth cleaning elements generally define a 10 loop arrangement to better retain the dentifrice proximate to the contact between the bristles and the teeth for more effective cleaning. In one preferred construction, each loop is formed by a plurality of independently flexible cleaning elements so as to maintain user comfort and provide improved cleaning of the teeth. In another aspect, other cleaning elements are disposed within the cleaning 15 elements forming the loop. In this construction, these central cleaning elements are strategically located to maximize the cleaning effect of the retained dentifrice. In another aspect, tooth cleaning elements are positioned along the periphery of the head, hi one preferred construction, these peripheral cleaning elements are stepped and tapered to clean along the gum line and reach the interproximal areas between the 20 teeth. Further taught are combinations of different kinds of cleaning elements on a single head that cooperate to provide a pattern for overall improved cleaning of the teeth, including effective cleaning of the rear teeth, the interproximal areas between the teeth, along the gum line, and the lingual and facial side surfaces of the teeth. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and 30 wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush according to one or more aspects of an illustrative embodiment; Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of a head section of the toothbrush of FIG. 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of a head section of the toothbrush of FIG. 1; 35 Figure 4 is a section view of the head section taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; 5 Figure 5 is a partial section view of the head section similar to FIG. 4 showing a tooth cleaning element arrangement in isolation for clarity; Figure 6 is a partial section view of the head section similar to FIG. 4 showing another tooth cleaning element arrangement in isolation for clarity; and 5 Figure 7 is a distal end view of the head section of the toothbrush of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1-7 illustrate a toothbrush 100 having a support 101 including a handle 103 and a head 105, and tooth cleaning elements 200 for cleaning the user's teeth. 10 Handle 103 is provided for the user to readily grip and manipulate the toothbrush 100, and may be formed of many different shapes and with a variety of constructions. Head 105 is the end portion of the support provided with tooth cleaning elements 200. The tooth cleaning elements can be attached to a base surface 109 of head 105 by any known means. 15 In a preferred construction, base surface 109 is provided with at least one group of cleaning elements 209 that collectively define a loop configuration 214 to better retain dentifrice among the tooth cleaning elements 200 and specifically between the contact of the cleaning elements and the teeth. While the loop configuration is preferably a circle, it could be in the form of a myriad of different closed loops 20 including without limitation ovals, squares and irregular shapes. It is believed that the use of interior concave wall surfaces within the loop will best retain and move the dentifrice on the teeth especially when the toothbrush is generally moved in the desired small circular motions to brush the teeth. Nevertheless, other shapes can be used. The loop should simply define a substantially closed configuration to retain the dentifrice. 25 To better retain the dentifrice, each loop configuration is preferably defined by cleaning elements composed of elastomeric wall members. Although the loop configurations could be formed by tightly packed, elongate bristle tufts, such arrangements will permit a greater escape of the dentifrice than the elastomeric w all m embers. Further, although the loop configurations could be completely closed 30 structures, they are preferably only substantially closed and each formed by a plurality of independently flexible cleaning elements 209a-d. In this way, the cleaning elements are able to provide a limited and controlled flow of the dentifrice to the outer cleaning elements and maintain sufficient flexibility to provide greater user comfort and improved cleaning by elements 209. In the preferred construction, as seen in Figure 2, 35 each loop construction is defined by four elastomeric wall members 209a-d each defining an arc segment that is approximately a quarter of a circle. As noted above, 6 adjacent arc segments are spaced apart to define gaps 212 that permit a limited outward flow of dentifrice and independent flexing of each wall member. The gaps also aid the cleaning of cleaning elements 209 by permitting water to flush through the loops. The gaps, however, are preferably kept small to limit the escape of the dentifrice. While 5 four segments have been illustrated to define each loop, other numbers of segments could be used. The wall members can be formed of any elastomeric material known for use as tooth cleaning elements. Finally, although the arc segments are preferably independent cleaning members, the loop could also be formed as a single member provided with slits to define gaps 212 and independently flexible cleaning elements 10 209a-d. As best seen in Figure 2, the preferred embodiment includes three loops 214a-c that are each positioned front to back along longitudinal axis a-a. In this way, a large portion of the dentifrice applied to the tooth cleaning elements can be retained to clean the user's teeth. Nevertheless, one, two or more than three loops could be used. 15 Moreover, the loops could be arranged in other patterns including non-aligned arrangements or positioned off of axis a-a. In a preferred construction, a central cleaning element 207 is disposed within each loop 214; although more than one central cleaning element 207 could be provided within each loop when larger loops are used. With this arrangement, dentifrice stays 20 near the tips of cleaning elements 207 during a brushing operation for efficient cleaning. In the preferred construction, the concave nature of the inside surfaces of cleaning elements 209a-d directs the dentifrice to cleaning elements 207 a-c during the sweeping or oscillating motion of head 105. Central cleaning elements 207 are each preferably formed as bristle tufts for 25 effectively cleaning the teeth. Nevertheless, one or more elastomer members may be used to form the distal cleaning elements in lieu of or in addition to the use of bristles. The bristles of cleaning elements 203 as well as the bristles of other tufts discussed below are preferably composed of a nylon made from a material such as, for example, a nylon material marketed by Dupont under the name BRILLIANCE. 30 Nevertheless, other materials could be used. The bristles in toothbrush 100 also preferably have a circular cross-sectional shape, but could have other cross-sections as well. The round bristles in toothbrush may be composed on a nylon marketed by Dupont under the name of TYNEX. The diameter of the round bristles are preferably 0.007 inches - 0.008 inches thick or have other thicknesses depending on the desired 35 cleaning action of the bristles. The tooth cleaning elements are connected to the toothbrush using known manufacturing methods for oral care products.

7 With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an additional outer ring of cleaning elements 211a, 211b is disposed in a central region of head 105 in a generally arcuate arrangement about cleaning elements 209a-d of central loop 214b. These outer arcuate cleaning elements 211 a-b are preferably defined by two opposing arcuate cleaning 5 elements which are arranged generally symmetrical on each side of the longitudinal axis a-a of head 105. As shown in Figure 2, the outer cleaning elements 211 a-b surround the loop cleaning elements 209a-d in the central region of head 105 to effectively use this space on the head. In a preferred arrangement, the loop cleaning elements 209a-d in the central region may be disposed generally concentrically within 10 outer cleaning elements 211 a-b. The dentifrice flowing through gaps 212 in the sides of loop 214b will be used by outer cleaning elements 211. While the outer arcuate cleaning elements 211 a, b are preferably defined by elongate bristle tufts for effective brushing of the teeth, they could be formed of one or more elastomeric members in lieu of or in addition to the bristles. 15 Figures 4-6 are sectional views of head 105 that reveal the preferred height characteristics of cleaning elements 207, 209 and 211. In the preferred construction, central cleaning elements 207a and 207c are shorter than cleaning elements 209 forming loops 214a, 214c to facilitate enhanced brushing of the lingual and facial tooth surfaces with the dentifrice retained by loops 214a, c. The difference between the first 20 height HI of cleaning elements 207a, c and the second height H2 of cleaning elements 209 is preferably about 0.20-2.0 mm, but there could be other variations. Central cleaning element 207b is taller than cleaning elements 209 forming central loop 214b to facilitate better interproximal cleaning as well as cleaning of the crowns of the molars. The difference between the third height H3 of cleaning element 207b and the second 25 height H2 of cleaning elements 209 is preferably about 0.20-2.0 mm, but other variations could be used. While this construction is preferred to maximize the cleaning of various surfaces in the mouth, other variations in the heights of the cleaning elements could be used as desired. For example, central cleaning elements 207 could all have the same heights with each other and as loop cleaning elements 209, or have 30 heights that are higher or lower than the loop cleaning elements in different ways, hi another example, the central cleaning elements 209 may have heights that are higher than the loop cleaning elements 209 in a staple configuration of toothbrush 100. Head 105 also includes distal cleaning elements 203a-b at the free end 107. In the preferred construction, a pair of adjacent distal cleaning elements 203a, 203b 35 straddle longitudinal axis a-a, although they could be formed by one or more than two cleaning elements. Distal cleaning elements 203a-b protrude higher from base surface 8 109 than the tips of the other tooth cleaning elements. The tips of each bristle tuft 203a b collectively define an outermost cleaning surface 204 that is angled with respect to base surface 109 of head 105. By way of example, cleaning surface 204 is preferably at an angle 0 of about 30 degrees to base surface 109, but may also range between 10-50 5 degrees. It should be recognized that other angular values are possible. The extension and angular orientation of cleaning surface 204 of distal cleaning elements 203a-b better enable the user to reach and better clean the teeth in the back of the mouth. Cleaning elements 203a-b also can be used to dig into the crevices between the teeth and into the crown portions of the molars. Finally, as can been seen in Figure 7, the 10 outermost cleaning surface 204 also preferably is sloped laterally downward (to form a crowned surface) to assist in the removal of debris from the teeth. Peripheral cleaning elements 205a-c are positioned near free end 107 and along each side 108 of head 105. These peripheral cleaning elements 205 a-c are preferably formed by a plurality of bristle tufts that are arranged generally symmetrical with 15 respect to the longitudinal axis a-a. Cleaning elements 205 a-c are positioned rearward and laterally of distal cleaning elements 203a-b. Similarly, peripheral cleaning elements 215a-c are also positioned symmetrically about axis a-a along each side 108 near proximal end 111 of head 105. These two groups of cleaning elements 205a-c, 215a-c are generally mirror images of each other, but could have other constructions. Both the 20 distal and proximal peripheral cleaning elements 205a-c, 215a-c are generally configured to enable the user to clean along the gum line and in the crevices between the teeth. In the illustrative embodiment, three bristle tufts form each group of peripheral cleaning elements 205a-c, 215a-c. Nevertheless, more or fewer bristle tufts in these groups may be used. Further, one or more elastomeric elements may be used to 25 define the peripheral cleaning elements in place of or with the bristles. As shown in Figure 3, the tips of the peripheral cleaning elements 205a-c and 215a-c protrude higher from base surface 109 than the tips of the interior c leaning elements 207, 209, 211. In a preferred embodiment, two groups of peripheral cleaning elements 205, 215 are arranged along each side 108 of head 105. Each group of 30 peripheral cleaning elements includes three generally aligned tufts of bristles, although other numbers of tufts could be used. The center tuft of cleaning elements 205b, 215b in each group of peripheral cleaning elements protrudes outward farther from base surface 109 than the others tufts 205a, 205c, 215a, 215c. This arrangement allows deeper engagement of the tooth surfaces along the gum line with cleaning elements 35 205b or 215b, while stimulating the gums with cleaning elements 205a, 205c and 215a, 9 215c. Moreover, each of the tufts has tapered ends 206, 216 to improve the cleaning of the interproximal areas and along the gum line. Proximal cleaning elements 213a-b are positioned near the proximal end Ill of head 105. Preferably a pair of bristle tufts straddle longitudinal axis a-a, but one or 5 more than two cleaning elements could be formed at the proximal end of the head. These proximal cleaning elements 213a,b are preferably defined by bristle tufts, but could also include or be defined by one or more elastomeric members. The inventive aspects may be practiced for a manual toothbrush or a powered toothbrush. In operation, the previously described features, individually and/or in any 10 combination, improves cleaning performance of toothbrushes. These advantages are also achieved by the cleaning elements and the synergistic effects. While the various features of the toothbrush 100 work together to achieve the advantages previously described, it is recognized that individual features and sub-combinations of these features can be used to obtain some of the aforementioned advantages without the 15 necessity to adopt all of these features. This unique combination of elements gives exceptional cleaning power in a compact head space. While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above 20 described systems and techniques. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; 5 a head attached to the handle, the head including a face and a longitudinal axis; a first dense pack of bristles and a second dense pack of bristles extending from the face and being spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, said first and second dense packs each defining a distal cleaning area for engaging teeth of the user; and 10 a plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the face, some of the tufts extending at an inclination to the face and some of the tufts extending generally perpendicular to the face, a first portion of said tufts being positioned between the first and second dense packs and to surround said first and second dense packs, and a second portion of the tufts being positioned on the face outside of the first portion of 15 the tufts, at least one tuft of the second portion being positioned between the first and second dense packs, each tuft of the first portion defining a tuft cleaning area, and each said tuft cleaning area being smaller than the each said distal cleaning area, wherein the first portion of the tufts collectively form a generally circular first bristle ring surrounding the first dense pack and a second generally circular bristle ring 20 surrounding the second dense pack, the first bristle ring and the second bristle ring each having a center, respectively, and the first dense pack and the second dense pack each have a center, respectively, wherein the center of the first dense pack is generally coincident with the center of the first bristle ring, and the center of the second dense pack is generally coincident with the center of the second bristle ring. 25

2. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first and second dense packs each extend generally perpendicular to the face.

3. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein tufts of said second 30 portion are positioned at opposing ends of the head.

4. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first portion of tufts extends farther from the face than the first and second dense packs. 11

5. A toothbrush in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein said head includes a pair of sides extending between the ends, and wherein at least one tuft of the second portion is positioned adjacent each said side. 5

6. A toothbrush in accordance with claim I wherein said first and second dense packs are adjacent each other generally along the longitudinal axis with the second dense pack closer to the handle, and wherein at least one tuft of said second portion is positioned on the face to one side of the first dense pack opposite the extension of the handle, and at least one other tuft of said second portion is positioned on the face to one 10 side of said second dense pack proximate the handle.

7. A toothbrush in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein each said distal cleaning area has a generally concave configuration. 15

8. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle, the head including a face, a first end remote from the handle, a second end proximate to the handle, a pair of sides extending between the ends, and a longitudinal axis; 20 a first dense pack of bristles and a second dense pack of bristles extending from the face and being spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis, said first and second dense packs each including an end remote from the face, each said end defining a first perimeter; and a plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the face, some of the tufts 25 extending at an inclination to the face and some of the tufts extending generally perpendicular to the face, a first portion of said tufts being positioned on the face to encircle said first and second dense packs, and a second portion of the tufts being positioned on the face outside of the first portion of the tufts, the first portion of tufts extending farther from the face than the first and second dense packs, each of the first 30 portion of said tufts having a distal end remote from the face each said distal end defining a second perimeter which is smaller than said first perimeter, a plurality of said second portion of tufts being positioned at the first end of the head, and a plurality of said second portion of tufts being positioned along said sides of the head; wherein the first portion of tufts collectively form a generally circular first bristle ring around 35 the first dense pack and a second generally circular bristle ring around the second dense pack, the first bristle ring and the second bristle ring each having a center, respectively, 12 and the first dense pack and the second dense pack each have a center, respectively, wherein the center of the first dense pack is generally coincident with the center of the first bristle ring, and the center of the second dense pack is generally coincident with the center of the second bristle ring. 5

9. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 8 wherein said dense packs of bristles extend generally perpendicular from the face.

10. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second portion of the tufts 10 at least one of the ends of the head extends generally perpendicular from the face.

11. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second portion of the tufts at least one of the ends of the head extends at an inclination to the face. 15

12. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or 8, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.