WO2003001943A1 - Improved toothbrush - Google Patents

Improved toothbrush Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003001943A1
WO2003001943A1 PCT/IL2002/000522 IL0200522W WO03001943A1 WO 2003001943 A1 WO2003001943 A1 WO 2003001943A1 IL 0200522 W IL0200522 W IL 0200522W WO 03001943 A1 WO03001943 A1 WO 03001943A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bed
bristles
toothbrush
support
bristle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2002/000522
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ron Reisman
Gabriel Savin
Original Assignee
Medic.Nrg Ltd.
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
Application filed by Medic.Nrg Ltd. filed Critical Medic.Nrg Ltd.
Publication of WO2003001943A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003001943A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B3/00Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
    • A46B3/20Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier the bristles being fixed or joined in rubber bodies, e.g. in soft rubber
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to toothbrushes and in particular it is concerned with an improvement related to the toothbrush head.
  • Mouth hygiene in general and dental care in particular have become in the recent years a major issue and it has now long been realized that correct teeth brushing plays a great role in ensuring the health of the teeth and gums.
  • a conventional toothbrush has typically an essentially flat head portion and the bristles are secured thereto by different means, whereby it is assumed that bristles will penetrate between the teeth by the manual manipulation of the toothbrush imparted by the user or by forming the head of the toothbrush with several bristle tuft arrays which are in some way or another movable with respect to one another so as to assume different positions during a tooth brushing performance.
  • Many toothbrush heads are arranged such that the bristles are of uniform length which obviates their following the contour of the jaw of a person using it. After a short while, typically several months, the bristles deform, owing to the pressure applied thereto by the user.
  • toothbrushes are arranged such that the bristles are of different length and are adapted to improve penetration into the gaps between the teeth. Nevertheless, this arrangement provides a fixed contour of the brush which not only does not fit every individual, it differs at different locations when applied to the teeth.
  • US Patent No. 5,269,038 discloses a toothbrush which automatically provides an up/down stroking action in concert with a side-to-side stroke action as the toothbrush is manipulated in a brushing process.
  • the brush comprises two pairs of elongated bristle-carrying pads with the pads of each pair positioned side-by-side and the pairs of end-to-end.
  • Each pad is hinged to the pad-holding end of the brush with the hinge axis being angularly related to an elongate axis of the pad. Owing to the structure of this toothbrush, in use, the bristles are allowed to follow the contour of a tooth and to penetrate into the space between the tooth and the gums.
  • US Patent No. 5,991,959 discloses a toothbrush in which the head has a skeleton, a resilient member mounted on at least one type of the skeleton, tuft mounts in the skeleton and/or resilient member for receiving bristles, the resilient member bristle tuft being capable of toggling movement, the resilient member tuft mounts having an array of rigid receptacles or wells attached to the skeleton by a bridge hinge, characterized in that the bridge hinges are broken.
  • a toothbrush in accordance with this patent has the advantage of the head being repeatedly and resiliently movable in a multidirectional manner to provide more effective cleaning.
  • 5,839,149 discloses a toothbrush wherein the brush head comprises a flexible member formed with a bristle support portion and adapted for resilient flexure and is caused to change its shape between a flat position and a deformed position in which side arrays of bristles tufts incline towards a central array of bristle tufts.
  • the flexible member is deformable along an axis which is coaxial with elongate axis of the toothbrush handle and thus does not provide for the bristle tufts to follow the arc shape of the teeth of a user during a brushing process.
  • US Patent No. 5,774,923 discloses still another toothbrush fitted with a flexibly linked zone at its head whereby a longitudinal axis of a head portion may intersect with a longitudinal axis of the handle of the toothbrush, though remaining in the same plane.
  • US Patent No. 2,819,482 discloses a toothbrush wherein the head portion is formed with a resilient body mounted on a handle of the toothbrush and wherein a plurality of tuft arrays extend from the handle portion, through the resilient member and project out from the resilient member. This arrangement is useful in particular for massaging the mouth whilst on the other hand it constrains the bristle tufts and prevents them from deforming in any direction.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush wherein the tuft arrays are mounted on a flexible bed having increased resiliency whereby it may be significantly elongated.
  • the toothbrush head is devoid of any moving parts and, by one particular embodiment, the resilient member is molded to a support frame of the brush head without any additional components.
  • This arrangement renders the brush head a trampoline-like behavior whereby the bristles continuously displace along their longitudinal axis such that an optimal tooth brushing process takes place with essentially continuous contact with the surface of the teeth during a brushing process, ensuring improved penetration into the inter-teeth gaps.
  • a toothbrush comprising an elongate handle fitted at one end thereof with a brush head, said brush head comprising a support frame accommodating a resilient bed fitted with a plurality of fixed bristle tufts; said bed being elastically deformable in a direction essentially parallel to an axis of the bristles.
  • the bristle tufts are molded into the bed and wherein the resilient bed is molded into the support frame.
  • the arrangement in accordance with the present invention is such that when a body applies axial force on the bristles, the support bed deforms so as to allow the bristles to assume a contour of said body. However, the support bed spontaneously returns to its initial shape upon cease of the axial force on the bristles.
  • the resilient bed is embedded within the support frame whereby periphery edges thereof are fixed to the support frame.
  • a toothbrush for mounting on a toothbrush handle said head comprising a fitting for articulating it to the handle, and having opposed top and bottom surfaces, which bristles projecting from said top surface, and a bristle bed made of an essentially resilient material and fixedly holding a plurality of bristle tufts, said support bed being deformable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bristles.
  • Fig. 1 is an overall isometric view of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a portion of the toothbrush head illustrating a support frame, the bristle carrying member and the bristles being removed;
  • Fig. 3 is an isometric, sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the toothbrush of the present invention at a side elevation, during a toothbrush process, applied to the teeth of an individual;
  • Fig. 5A is an isometric view of a support frame in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 5B is a section taken along line V-V in Fig. 5A; and Fig. 5C is a section taken along line V-V in Fig. 5 A showing also a bristle support bed fitted with bristle tufts.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention generally designated 20 comprising an elongate handle designated 22 and extending between a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26, and a brush head designated 30 integrally extending from said handle.
  • Brush head 30 comprises a support frame 36 made of a rigid material and in the present example constitutes an integral extension of the handle 22.
  • head 30 may be removably connected to a handle of a toothbrush, e.g. an electric toothbrush in which case the frame 36 comprises suitable engagement means for coupling with a corresponding engagement arrangement of the handle.
  • the frame 36 comprises suitable engagement means for coupling with a corresponding engagement arrangement of the handle.
  • support frame 36 is a two-layer hollow structure comprising a top member 38 and a bottom member 40, said top member having an upper surface 42.
  • the top member 38 and the bottom member 40 are reinforced by integral supports 44 and 46 with a gap 48 extending between the two members and a central cavity 50 defined within said support frame 36.
  • a bristle support bed 60 received within cavity 50 there is a bristle support bed 60 made of an elastically deformable material such as, for example, silicon rubber or other synthetic rubber having a significant elongation coefficient, e.g. of about 600% or so.
  • the bristle support bed 60 is molded within the cavity 50 and projects into the gaps 48 between the top member 38 and the bottom member 40 whereby it becomes secured at its perimeter to the support frame 36.
  • Suitable gripping members 64 (Fig. 2) may be provided for increasing the support of the perimeter of the bristle support bed 60 within the frame 36.
  • the bristle support bed 60 is essentially flush with the upper surface 42 of the top member 38 with a plurality of bristle tufts 66 upwardly projecting therefrom.
  • the bristle support bed is flush also at its bottom surface 65 with the lower surface 43 of the bottom member 40 (Fig. 3).
  • bristle tufts may be arranged at a variety of arrays, as known per se, and may also have different rigidity, different lengths, etc.
  • the arrangement of the toothbrush in accordance with the present invention is such that the bristle support bed 60 is significantly deformable in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of bristle tufts 66 whereby depressing the bristles against the teeth 70 of an individual entails significant deformation of the bristle support bed 60 in a direction essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bristles 66, whereby the free ends of the bristles assume the contour of the teeth 70 or of the gums, respectively, and whereby the bristles penetrate into the inter-teeth interstices for improved performances.
  • the bristles continuously assume the respective shape, owing to high elasticity of the bristle support bed.
  • the bristle support bed 60 is illustrated in its deformed state where it extends beyond the lower surface 43 of the bottom member 40. It seen, the bottom surface of the support bed 60 assumes an undulating shape conforming essentially with the shape of the theath/gums.
  • Figs. 5A to 5C there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention wherein the support frame designated 76 comprises a top member 78 having an upper surface 80 and a bottom member 82 having a lower surface 84.
  • the top member 78 is narrower and on that account the bottom member 82 is wider and furthermore, the bottom member 82 is formed with a bottom cover plate 86, which may be integrally formed therewith or attached thereto, e.g. by adhering or welding, etc.
  • the bristle support bed 90 is essentially flush with the upper surface 80 of the top member 78 and is supported at its perimeter as explained in connection with the previous embodiment, to the frame 76, leaving a deformation space 94 whereby, when the bristle support member 90 deforms it does not project beyond the lower surface 84 of the bottom member 82.
  • the bristle support bed may be molded within the support frame or otherwise adhered thereto in a manner which provides peripheral support to the bristle support member whereby it will not disengage from the support frame as it deforms.
  • the bristle support bed is hermetically supported by the support frame whereby no liquids and dirt can enter and accumulate in the toothbrush head.

Abstract

A toothbrush comprising an elongate handle fitted at one end thereof with a brush head, comprising a support frame accommodating a resilient bed fitted with a plurality of fixed bristle tufts. The bed is elastically deformable in a direction essentially parallel to an axis of the bristles.

Description

IMPROOVED TOOTHBRUSH
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to toothbrushes and in particular it is concerned with an improvement related to the toothbrush head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART Mouth hygiene in general and dental care in particular have become in the recent years a major issue and it has now long been realized that correct teeth brushing plays a great role in ensuring the health of the teeth and gums.
Many recommendations have been issued throughout the years concerning correct strokes during the brushing for ensuring maximal penetration of the bristles between the teeth and accordingly a variety of inventions have been made in this field providing different solutions, e.g. converting linear strokes in one direction into strokes in a perpendicular direction, converting linear strokes into rotary of the bristles etc. Other recommendations are concerned with the firmness of brushing which as it has become apparent plays a great role in mouth hygiene. Various solutions have been provided in this regard as well such as, for example, bristles of varying length distributed along the toothbrush head, bristles of different rigidity, bristle tufts supported by springy members, elastic brush heads, etc.
It is furthermore appreciated that a conventional toothbrush has typically an essentially flat head portion and the bristles are secured thereto by different means, whereby it is assumed that bristles will penetrate between the teeth by the manual manipulation of the toothbrush imparted by the user or by forming the head of the toothbrush with several bristle tuft arrays which are in some way or another movable with respect to one another so as to assume different positions during a tooth brushing performance. Many toothbrush heads are arranged such that the bristles are of uniform length which obviates their following the contour of the jaw of a person using it. After a short while, typically several months, the bristles deform, owing to the pressure applied thereto by the user. Other toothbrushes are arranged such that the bristles are of different length and are adapted to improve penetration into the gaps between the teeth. Nevertheless, this arrangement provides a fixed contour of the brush which not only does not fit every individual, it differs at different locations when applied to the teeth.
Amongst a large variety of patents concerned with toothbrushes, US Patent No. 5,269,038 discloses a toothbrush which automatically provides an up/down stroking action in concert with a side-to-side stroke action as the toothbrush is manipulated in a brushing process. The brush comprises two pairs of elongated bristle-carrying pads with the pads of each pair positioned side-by-side and the pairs of end-to-end. Each pad is hinged to the pad-holding end of the brush with the hinge axis being angularly related to an elongate axis of the pad. Owing to the structure of this toothbrush, in use, the bristles are allowed to follow the contour of a tooth and to penetrate into the space between the tooth and the gums. However, this toothbrush does not provide an arrangement for following the contour of the teeth in an arced shape. US Patent No. 5,991,959 discloses a toothbrush in which the head has a skeleton, a resilient member mounted on at least one type of the skeleton, tuft mounts in the skeleton and/or resilient member for receiving bristles, the resilient member bristle tuft being capable of toggling movement, the resilient member tuft mounts having an array of rigid receptacles or wells attached to the skeleton by a bridge hinge, characterized in that the bridge hinges are broken. A toothbrush in accordance with this patent has the advantage of the head being repeatedly and resiliently movable in a multidirectional manner to provide more effective cleaning. However, this patent does not suggest an arrangement where the toothbrush head dynamically assumes the contour of the teeth. A different arrangement is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,881,426 wherein a brush is fitted with flexible bristles in which each bristle includes a flexion integral with the bristle to provide resilience to the bristle for flexing it along its longitudinal axis. The brush includes a perforated brush head for passing the bristles so as to maintain the bristles on their axis. This arrangement has a significant drawback in that it is quite likely that after a short while toothbrush and other dirt accumulates under the brush head and prevents the normal functioning of the brush. Furthermore, the axial extent of displacement is significantly restricted. US Patent No. 5,839,149 discloses a toothbrush wherein the brush head comprises a flexible member formed with a bristle support portion and adapted for resilient flexure and is caused to change its shape between a flat position and a deformed position in which side arrays of bristles tufts incline towards a central array of bristle tufts. The flexible member is deformable along an axis which is coaxial with elongate axis of the toothbrush handle and thus does not provide for the bristle tufts to follow the arc shape of the teeth of a user during a brushing process.
US Patent No. 5,774,923 discloses still another toothbrush fitted with a flexibly linked zone at its head whereby a longitudinal axis of a head portion may intersect with a longitudinal axis of the handle of the toothbrush, though remaining in the same plane.
US Patent No. 2,819,482 discloses a toothbrush wherein the head portion is formed with a resilient body mounted on a handle of the toothbrush and wherein a plurality of tuft arrays extend from the handle portion, through the resilient member and project out from the resilient member. This arrangement is useful in particular for massaging the mouth whilst on the other hand it constrains the bristle tufts and prevents them from deforming in any direction.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved and novel toothbrush for in the bristles mounted on the head portion assume the shape of the teeth and wherein the bristles penetrate into inter-teeth space, thereby ensuring improved contact of the bristles with the teeth and gum contour. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush wherein the tuft arrays are mounted on a flexible bed having increased resiliency whereby it may be significantly elongated. The toothbrush head is devoid of any moving parts and, by one particular embodiment, the resilient member is molded to a support frame of the brush head without any additional components.
This arrangement renders the brush head a trampoline-like behavior whereby the bristles continuously displace along their longitudinal axis such that an optimal tooth brushing process takes place with essentially continuous contact with the surface of the teeth during a brushing process, ensuring improved penetration into the inter-teeth gaps.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a toothbrush comprising an elongate handle fitted at one end thereof with a brush head, said brush head comprising a support frame accommodating a resilient bed fitted with a plurality of fixed bristle tufts; said bed being elastically deformable in a direction essentially parallel to an axis of the bristles.
By one particular embodiment the bristle tufts are molded into the bed and wherein the resilient bed is molded into the support frame.
The arrangement in accordance with the present invention is such that when a body applies axial force on the bristles, the support bed deforms so as to allow the bristles to assume a contour of said body. However, the support bed spontaneously returns to its initial shape upon cease of the axial force on the bristles.
By one particular design, the resilient bed is embedded within the support frame whereby periphery edges thereof are fixed to the support frame. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a toothbrush for mounting on a toothbrush handle, said head comprising a fitting for articulating it to the handle, and having opposed top and bottom surfaces, which bristles projecting from said top surface, and a bristle bed made of an essentially resilient material and fixedly holding a plurality of bristle tufts, said support bed being deformable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bristles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, an embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an overall isometric view of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a portion of the toothbrush head illustrating a support frame, the bristle carrying member and the bristles being removed;
Fig. 3 is an isometric, sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 illustrates the toothbrush of the present invention at a side elevation, during a toothbrush process, applied to the teeth of an individual;
Fig. 5A is an isometric view of a support frame in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5B is a section taken along line V-V in Fig. 5A; and Fig. 5C is a section taken along line V-V in Fig. 5 A showing also a bristle support bed fitted with bristle tufts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 illustrates a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention generally designated 20 comprising an elongate handle designated 22 and extending between a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26, and a brush head designated 30 integrally extending from said handle. Brush head 30 comprises a support frame 36 made of a rigid material and in the present example constitutes an integral extension of the handle 22. However, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention (not shown) head 30 may be removably connected to a handle of a toothbrush, e.g. an electric toothbrush in which case the frame 36 comprises suitable engagement means for coupling with a corresponding engagement arrangement of the handle. As can best be seen in Fig. 2, support frame 36 is a two-layer hollow structure comprising a top member 38 and a bottom member 40, said top member having an upper surface 42. The top member 38 and the bottom member 40 are reinforced by integral supports 44 and 46 with a gap 48 extending between the two members and a central cavity 50 defined within said support frame 36.
As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, received within cavity 50 there is a bristle support bed 60 made of an elastically deformable material such as, for example, silicon rubber or other synthetic rubber having a significant elongation coefficient, e.g. of about 600% or so. In the present embodiment the bristle support bed 60 is molded within the cavity 50 and projects into the gaps 48 between the top member 38 and the bottom member 40 whereby it becomes secured at its perimeter to the support frame 36. Suitable gripping members 64 (Fig. 2) may be provided for increasing the support of the perimeter of the bristle support bed 60 within the frame 36.
As seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the bristle support bed 60 is essentially flush with the upper surface 42 of the top member 38 with a plurality of bristle tufts 66 upwardly projecting therefrom. In the present example, the bristle support bed is flush also at its bottom surface 65 with the lower surface 43 of the bottom member 40 (Fig. 3).
A person versed in the art will appreciate that the bristle tufts may be arranged at a variety of arrays, as known per se, and may also have different rigidity, different lengths, etc.
The arrangement of the toothbrush in accordance with the present invention is such that the bristle support bed 60 is significantly deformable in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of bristle tufts 66 whereby depressing the bristles against the teeth 70 of an individual entails significant deformation of the bristle support bed 60 in a direction essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bristles 66, whereby the free ends of the bristles assume the contour of the teeth 70 or of the gums, respectively, and whereby the bristles penetrate into the inter-teeth interstices for improved performances. As the brush displaces along the jaw, the bristles continuously assume the respective shape, owing to high elasticity of the bristle support bed.
In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the bristle support bed 60 is illustrated in its deformed state where it extends beyond the lower surface 43 of the bottom member 40. It seen, the bottom surface of the support bed 60 assumes an undulating shape conforming essentially with the shape of the theath/gums.
Turning now to Figs. 5A to 5C, there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention wherein the support frame designated 76 comprises a top member 78 having an upper surface 80 and a bottom member 82 having a lower surface 84. The main differences as compared with the previous embodiment is that the top member 78 is narrower and on that account the bottom member 82 is wider and furthermore, the bottom member 82 is formed with a bottom cover plate 86, which may be integrally formed therewith or attached thereto, e.g. by adhering or welding, etc. As can be seen in Fig. 5C, the bristle support bed 90 is essentially flush with the upper surface 80 of the top member 78 and is supported at its perimeter as explained in connection with the previous embodiment, to the frame 76, leaving a deformation space 94 whereby, when the bristle support member 90 deforms it does not project beyond the lower surface 84 of the bottom member 82. It is to be appreciated that the bristle support bed may be molded within the support frame or otherwise adhered thereto in a manner which provides peripheral support to the bristle support member whereby it will not disengage from the support frame as it deforms. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the bristle support bed is hermetically supported by the support frame whereby no liquids and dirt can enter and accumulate in the toothbrush head.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A toothbrush comprising an elongate handle fitted at one end thereof with a brush head, said brush head comprising a support frame accommodating a resilient bed fitted with a plurality of fixed bristle tufts; said bed being elastically deformable in a direction essentially parallel to an axis of the bristles.
2. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the bristle tufts are molded into said bed.
3. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the brash head is a two component molding comprising the resilient bed and an essentially rigid support frame accommodating the bed.
4. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the bed is embedded within the support frame, whereby periphery edges thereof are fixed to the support frame.
5. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein when a body applies axial force on the bristles, the support bed deforms so as to allow the bristles to assume a contour of said body.
6. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein depressing the bristles against teeth entails deformation of the support bed whereby the bristles to assume the contour of the teeth.
7. A toothbrush according to Claim 5, wherein the support bed spontaneously returns to its initial shape upon cease of the axial force on the bristles.
8. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the brush head has a top and a bottom face, said bristles projecting from the top face, and whereupon deformation of the support bed it does not exceed the bottom face of the brush head.
9. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the support bed is defines a confined space, where said support bed is further deformable into said space.
10. A toothbrush according to Claim 1 wherein the support bed is deformable to an extent which does not exceed a bottom surface of the brush head.
11. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the bed is made of a silicone rubber.
12. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the bed is elastically deformable in a direction essentially normal to a longitudinal axis of the handle.
13. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the support bed is divided into elasticity zones, each having a different elasticity module.
14. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the support frame has opposed top and bottom surfaces, and where a top surface of the support bed is essentially flush with the top surface of the support frame with side edges of the support frame embracing the support bed.
15. A toothbrush according to Claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises side walls formed with lateral indentations and where the support bed has corresponding lateral projections clamped within said indentations.
16. A toothbrush comprising an elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end, defining therebetween a longitudinal axis of the handle; a bristle support frame at one end of the handle, having opposed top and bottom surfaces, with bristles projecting from said top surface; and a bristle bed made of an essentially resilient material fixedly attached to said support frame and fixedly holding a plurality of bristle tufts, said support bed being deformable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bristles.
17. A toothbrush according to Claim 16, wherein the bristle bed is deformable in a direction essentially normal to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
18. A toothbrush according to Claim 16, wherein the bristle bed is embedded within the support frame.
19. A toothbrush according to Claim 16, wherein depressing the bristles against teeth entails deformation of the support bed whereby the bristles to assume the contour of the teeth.
20. A toothbrush head for mounting on a toothbrush handle, said head comprising a fitting for articulating it to the handle, and having opposed top and bottom surfaces, with bristles projecting from said top surface, and a bristle bed made of an essentially resilient material and fixedly holding a plurality of bristle tufts, said support bed being deformable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bristles.
21. A toothbrush head according to Claim 20, wherein the bristle bed is flush with the top surface of the head.
22. A toothbrush head according to Claim 20, wherein the bristle bed is deformable in a direction essentially normal to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
23. A toothbrush head according to Claim 20, wherein depressing the bristles against teeth entails deformation of the support bed whereby the bristles to assume the contour of the teeth.
PCT/IL2002/000522 2001-06-28 2002-06-27 Improved toothbrush WO2003001943A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL144053 2001-06-28
IL14405301A IL144053A0 (en) 2001-06-28 2001-06-28 Improved toothbrush

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004080238A1 (en) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-23 M+C Schiffer Gmbh Method and device for producing a brush
WO2005013762A1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Toothbrush
WO2005107522A1 (en) * 2004-05-07 2005-11-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg. Toothbrush
WO2006012956A3 (en) * 2004-08-03 2006-06-15 Unilever Nv Toothbrush
WO2006131397A1 (en) * 2005-06-09 2006-12-14 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US7600288B1 (en) * 2008-05-31 2009-10-13 Givonetti Raymond R Conforming toothbrush head with pressure equalizer
US8220102B2 (en) 2004-03-09 2012-07-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US20150189978A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2015-07-09 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush

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US4240452A (en) * 1979-09-13 1980-12-23 Jean San Bau Elastic base toothbrush
US4633542A (en) * 1984-04-13 1987-01-06 Laboratoires Pharmascience Brush having resiliently retractable bristles, in particular for brushing surfaces of complex shape, such as teeth
US4694844A (en) * 1984-02-27 1987-09-22 Berl Marta N Toothbrush
US5269038A (en) 1991-03-29 1993-12-14 Bradley Terry G Rocker toothbrush
US5774923A (en) 1993-09-27 1998-07-07 Smithkline Beecham Plc Toothbrush having a flexibly linked zone in its head
WO1998037788A1 (en) * 1997-02-24 1998-09-03 Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare Gmbh Toothbrush
US5839149A (en) 1996-08-26 1998-11-24 Scheier; Paul A. Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support
US5881426A (en) 1997-02-18 1999-03-16 Tong; Gary S. Brush with flexible bristles
US5991959A (en) 1997-02-17 1999-11-30 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Toothbrush with flexibly mounted bristles

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US2819482A (en) 1954-08-05 1958-01-14 Eugene F Traub Tooth cleaning and gum massaging instrument
US4240452A (en) * 1979-09-13 1980-12-23 Jean San Bau Elastic base toothbrush
US4694844A (en) * 1984-02-27 1987-09-22 Berl Marta N Toothbrush
US4633542A (en) * 1984-04-13 1987-01-06 Laboratoires Pharmascience Brush having resiliently retractable bristles, in particular for brushing surfaces of complex shape, such as teeth
US5269038A (en) 1991-03-29 1993-12-14 Bradley Terry G Rocker toothbrush
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WO2004080238A1 (en) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-23 M+C Schiffer Gmbh Method and device for producing a brush
WO2005013762A1 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Toothbrush
JP2006528501A (en) * 2003-07-25 2006-12-21 グラクソスミスクライン・コンシューマー・ヘルスケア・ゲゼルシャフト・ミット・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング・ウント・コムパニー・コマンディットゲゼルシャフト toothbrush
US8099819B2 (en) 2003-07-25 2012-01-24 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Toothbrush
JP4758344B2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2011-08-24 グラクソスミスクライン・コンシューマー・ヘルスケア・ゲゼルシャフト・ミット・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング・ウント・コムパニー・コマンディットゲゼルシャフト toothbrush
US8220102B2 (en) 2004-03-09 2012-07-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US8069524B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2011-12-06 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Toothbrush
WO2005107522A1 (en) * 2004-05-07 2005-11-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg. Toothbrush
WO2006012956A3 (en) * 2004-08-03 2006-06-15 Unilever Nv Toothbrush
WO2006131397A1 (en) * 2005-06-09 2006-12-14 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US9185967B2 (en) 2005-06-09 2015-11-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Toothbrush
US7600288B1 (en) * 2008-05-31 2009-10-13 Givonetti Raymond R Conforming toothbrush head with pressure equalizer
US20150189978A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2015-07-09 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush
US9788642B2 (en) * 2011-09-23 2017-10-17 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush

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