Brush head for toothbrush

Abstract
A toothbrush head includes a base portion having a first surface and a pivot portion having a first cleaning element holder having a second surface, wherein the second surface is superjacent the first surface. The pivot portion also includes a second cleaning element holder and a third cleaning element holder which extend longitudinally from the first element holder. The head includes a pivot element for pivotally coupling the base portion and the pivot portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of oral care, and in particular to toothbrushes. More specifically, the invention relates to a brush head for a toothbrush.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,285 (the '285 patent) discloses an electric toothbrush with a rotary bristle supporting structure. In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the brush head is driven such that an outer ring of bristles 45a and an inner ring of bristles 45b are moved in an alternating rotary motion in opposite directions. While such an arrangement is beneficial for cleaning, for example, the bucal or lingual tooth surfaces, the lack of motion of any of the bristles in an up and down pattern results in a less than optimal cleaning of the inter-dental tooth surfaces.


FIG. 9 of the '285 patent discloses an additional embodiment of the invention in which all of the bristles 45 are rotated about an axis 54 while also being moved in an up and down motion parallel to this axis. This embodiment will provide enhanced cleaning of the inter-dental tooth surfaces. However, the fact that all of the bristles are moved up and down limits the depth of penetration that the bristles can obtain between the teeth. This is because while some of the bristles are trying to penetrate between the teeth, others are pressing against, for example, the bucal tooth surface, thus limiting the motion of the brush head towards the teeth.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a head for an electric toothbrush, includes a first bristle support which is rotatable about an axis and a plurality of first bristles extending from the first bristle support. A second bristle support includes a plurality of second bristles extending from a surface of the second bristle support at an acute angle to the surface.


These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric toothbrush head attached to a brush handle/drive;



FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the toothbrush head;



FIG. 3A is a side view of the head with a central bristle in a retracted position;



FIG. 3B is a side view of the head with a central bristle in an extended position;



FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an electric toothbrush head;



FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along the lines 5-5;



FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along the lines 6-6;



FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along the lines 7-7;



FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of a third embodiment of the invention;



FIG. 9 is a sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the lines 9-9;



FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the lines 10-10;



FIG. 11 is a sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the lines 11-11;



FIG. 12 is a sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the lines 12-12;



FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a toothbrush head; and



FIG. 14 is a front view of the toothbrush head of FIG. 13.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Beginning with FIG. 1, an electric toothbrush head 10 includes a neck 12 which is connected to a bristle support 14. Bristles 16 on support 14 are oscillated in a rotary movement through an arc of between about +−15 to 90 degrees, more preferably +−20 to 50 degrees as in a conventional electric toothbrush.



FIG. 2 shows support 14 in an exploded side view. An interdental probe 18 is secured to a slider core 20 in the center of bristles 16. Probe 18 can be a single large bristle or a tuft of much smaller bristles. Alternatively, core 20 can be enlarged to accommodate a plurality of probes (not shown), one of which may be positioned in the center of the core (as in FIG. 1), with the remainder of the probes being positioned on the core away from its center.


A pair of cam follower pins 22 are secured to opposite sides of the lower portion of core 20. Core 20 is positioned inside of a brush base 24 such that pins 22 are forced to ride along respective cam tracks 26 as well as respective vertical slider tracks 28 (one slider track is hidden behind the other). A retaining pin 30 rides in a track 32 to retain base 24 within a housing 34. A guide/rotation pin 36 passes through a hole in the bottom of housing 34 and is secured to base 24.


Operation of support 14 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B. Pin 36 is oscillated about its long axis by a drive mechanism (not shown) in neck 12. The drive mechanism can be of conventional design. Oscillation of pin 36 causes brush base 24 and bristles 16 to oscillate in a rotary pattern. Pin 30 retains base 24 within housing 34. Oscillation of base 24 causes core 20 and probe 18 to oscillate with the base because pins 22 ride in track 28 of the base. Pins 22 also ride in respective tracks 26 in the housing, thus causing core 20 and probe 18 to move up and down relative to bristles 16 during oscillation of brush base 24. FIGS. 3A and 3B show that a preferred extension of probe 18 from its lowest to highest position is about 5 mm.


In an alternative embodiment, all of bristles 16 are eliminated, leaving only probe 18 for cleaning teeth. This embodiment would be used primarily for cleaning interdental spaces, not for cleaning the other surfaces of teeth.


Turning to FIGS. 4-7, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. A brushead 40 can be attached to a handpiece (not shown) of an electric toothbrush. A driveshaft (not shown) protrudes out of the handpiece and can effect an oscillating rotation. Brushhead 40 includes a tube 42 in which a shaft 44 is located. The rear end of tube 42 fits into the housing (not shown) of the handpiece. Shaft 44 engages the driveshaft of the handpiece. A pin 46 is press fitted into shaft 44. Pin 46 can rotate at its free end in a bearing hole 48 in a front part 50 of tube 42. Axis 52 of pin 46 coincides with the axis of the driveshaft of the handpiece.


A pivot 54 can rotate in a bearing hole 56 situated in front part 50 of tube 42. Pivot 54 is retained in hole 56 by a ring 58. A first brush member comprising a base portion or brush base 60 is press fitted onto pivot 54. Brush base 60 has a first brush support surface 61 with holes 62 in which tufts of bristles 64 are secured. A pivot element comprising a cross pin 66 is welded onto the free end of pivot 54. Both ends of cross pin 66 retain brush base 60 on pivot 54 by interaction with a shoulder 68 of the brush base. The central part of cross pin 66 is placed in a bearing hole 70 of a second brush member comprising a pivot portion or rocker 72. Rocker 72 can swivel about cross pin 66 and has a second brush support surface 71 which is superjacent the first brush support surface 61. The pivot portion or rocker 72 contains holes 74 in which tufts of bristles 76 are secured.


The pivot portion or rocker 72 has a center section or first cleaning element holder 69 which supports one or more tufts of bristles 76. The first cleaning element holder 69 has an offset surface which provides the second brush support surface 71 superjacent the first brush support surface 61. The pivot portion or rocker 72 comprises a first arm 73 and a second arm 75 which support tufts of bristles 76. The first arm 73 and the second arm 75 of the rocker 72 provide a second cleaning element holder and a third cleaning element holder, respectively, which extend longitudinally from the first cleaning element holder 69.


The first arm 73 and the second arm 75 of the pivot portion or rocker 72 define a distal brush support surface 77 and a proximal brush support surface 79, respectively. The second brush support surface 71 is elevated relative to the distal brush support surface 77 and the proximal brush support surface 79. The distal brush support surface 77 and the proximal brush support surface 79 extend from opposite sides of the center section or first cleaning element holder 69 of the rocker 72 and have free ends 81 and 83 which are spaced apart. The distal brush support surface 77 and the proximal brush support surface 79 of the pivot portion or rocker 72 are capable of pivoting relative to the first brush support surface 61 of the base portion or brush base 60 about an axis of cross pin 66 which extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the head 40 and laterally across the pivot portion or rocker 72.


Shaft 44 includes a bearing hole 78 in which a drive rod 80 can move. The distance between axis 52 of pin 46 and an axis 82 of drive rod 80 is a radius r1. A stud 84 is welded onto the free end of drive rod 80. The distance between an axis 86 of pivot 54 and an axis 88 of stud 84 is a radius r2. Stud 84 can move in a bearing seat 90 in brush base 60. At one end of stud 84 is carried a ball 92 which can move in a cylindrical slot 94 in rocker 72.


When shaft 44 is oscillated about axis 52 through an angle of +−alpha 1 about pin 46, two different motions are induced. First, brush base 60 and rocker 72 are oscillated in a rotating manner through an angle of +−beta 1 about pivot 54 in bearing hole 56. This oscillating rotation causes bristles 64 to wipe plaque off teeth like a broom. Second, rocker 72 is oscillated in a rotating manner through an angle of +−gamma 1 about cross pin 66 in bearing hole 70. Oscillation of rocker 72 about pin 66 causes bristle tufts 76 to loosen plaque like a chisel. Two cycles of oscillation of rocker 72 about pin 66 occur for every one cycle of oscillation of base 60 and rocker 72 about pivot 54. The relations between the oscillation angles alpha 1 to beta 1 and alpha 1 to gamma 1 depend only on radii r1 and r2.


Referring to FIGS. 8-12, a third embodiment of the invention will be described. The third embodiment modifies the relationship between the oscillation angles, primarily to increase the gamma angle of the oscillating rotation of rocker 72. The basic features of the third embodiment remain unchanged from the second embodiment. The main difference is in the location of the drive rod.


In the mid-position of the oscillating rotation of a shaft 100, a drive rod 102 is located at a distance e from a median plane 104 of a brushhead 106. A stud 108 is welded laterally on a free end of drive rod 102 with a distance e between the center-lines. Stud 108 is movable in a bearing seal 110 of a brush base 112. When a drive shaft 114 is in a mid-oscillation position, stud 108 is in a median plane 116 of brush base 112. Drive rod 102 can move in a bearing hole 118 in shaft 114. Bearing hole 118 is situated in the distance e from median plane 104 of shaft 114 when the shaft is in its mid-oscillation position.


When shaft 114 is oscillated about median plane 104 through an angle of +−alpha 1, two different motions are induced. First, brush base 112 and rocker 72 are oscillated in a rotating manner through an angle of +−beta 2 which is smaller than +−beta 1 about axis 120. Second, rocker 72 is oscillated in a rotating manner through an angle of +−gamma 2 which is bigger than +−gamma 1 about cross pin 66. The relations between the oscillation angles alpha 1 to beta 2 and alpha 1 to gamma 2 depend on radii r1 and r2 as well as on the distance e.


In embodiments 2 and 3 of the invention, one component of the rocking motion of rocker 72 causes bristles 76 to move up and down (i.e. substantially parallel to pivot 54) relative to bristles 64.



FIGS. 13 and 14 disclose a toothbrush head 130 which is similar in function to the head of FIG. 4. The major difference is that tufts of bristles 132 on a pivot bar 138 are tilted away from the perpendicular (to the top surface 140 of the pivot bar 138) at an angle 134 of between about 1-20 degrees. Preferably the bristles 132 are tilted along the direction of oscillation of bristles 136 on a brush base 142. Such tilting of bristles 132 provides better interdental penetration during the respective upstrokes of pivot bar 138, particularly for the tuft(s) on bar 138 which are being moved by head 130 in the tilt direction. It is preferable that tufts of bristles on both sides of bar 138 have the same tilt angle and are tilted in the same direction (i.e. in the same plane). Alternatively, tufts of bristles on opposite sides of the bar can be tilted in opposite directions. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when pivot bar 138 is oscillated relative to brush base 142, the top surface 140 of pivot bar 138 and the top surface 144 of brush base 142 are capable of lying in substantially a same plane (when pivot bar 138 is aligned with brush base 142) during the operation of the electric toothbrush.


The brush support surface 140 of the pivot bar 138 includes a first portion 141 and a second portion 143 which are joined together and have free ends which are spaced apart. The first portion 141 and the second portion 143 of the brush support surface 140 are capable of pivoting relative to the brush support surface 144 of the brush base 142 about an axis which extends transversely to a longitudinal axis of the head 130 and laterally across the pivot bar 138.


The invention has been described with reference to several embodiments including a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims
  • 1. A brushhead for an electric toothbrush comprising: a housing;a base portion structured to receive a drive motion from a drive rod having a longitudinal axis, the base portion including a first set of bristles secured thereto;a rocker portion structured to receive a drive motion from the drive rod having a longitudinal axis, the rocker portion including a second set of bristles secured thereto; anda pivot element coupling the base portion to the housing and a pin element being perpendicular to the pivot element, the pin element coupling the base portion to the pivot element;wherein base portion and the rocker portion are movable such that a first cleaning motion of the first and second set of bristles includes a back and forth oscillation movement about the pivot element; and wherein the rocker portion is movable such that a second cleaning motion of the second set of bristles includes an up and down movement about the pin element.
  • 2. The brushhead according to claim 1, wherein the drive rod is oscillateable.
CROSS-REFERENCE. TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/289,801 filed on Nov. 4, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,042 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/430,280 filed on May 9, 2006 (U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,107) which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/697,206 filed on Oct. 30, 2003 now abandoned which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/456,769 filed on Jun. 6, 2003 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,760,946) which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/425,423 filed on Oct. 22, 1999 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,820).

US Referenced Citations (57)
Number Name Date Kind
655833 Roth Aug 1900 A
1392623 Cheatham Oct 1921 A
1896731 Lippett Feb 1933 A
1911973 Ruse May 1933 A
2140307 Belaschk et al. Dec 1938 A
2266195 Hallock Dec 1941 A
3270360 Kropp Sep 1966 A
4156620 Clemens May 1979 A
4346492 Solow Aug 1982 A
4545087 Nahum Oct 1985 A
4766630 Hegemann Aug 1988 A
4845795 Crawford et al. Jul 1989 A
5007127 Paolo Apr 1991 A
5046213 Curtis et al. Sep 1991 A
5068939 Holland Dec 1991 A
5070567 Holland Dec 1991 A
5088145 Whitefield Feb 1992 A
5138734 Chung Aug 1992 A
5145369 Lustig et al. Sep 1992 A
5184368 Holland Feb 1993 A
5186627 Amit et al. Feb 1993 A
5226206 Davidovitz et al. Jul 1993 A
5259083 Stansbury Nov 1993 A
5301381 Klupt Apr 1994 A
5337435 Krasner et al. Aug 1994 A
5357644 Theriault Oct 1994 A
5365624 Berns Nov 1994 A
5416942 Baldacci et al. May 1995 A
5435032 McDougall Jul 1995 A
5446939 Park Sep 1995 A
5450646 McHugh et al. Sep 1995 A
5499420 Boland Mar 1996 A
5500970 Maurer et al. Mar 1996 A
5504959 Yukawa et al. Apr 1996 A
5524312 Tan et al. Jun 1996 A
5546626 Chung Aug 1996 A
5573020 Robinson Nov 1996 A
5577285 Drossler Nov 1996 A
5625916 McDougall May 1997 A
5652990 Driesen et al. Aug 1997 A
5709233 Boland et al. Jan 1998 A
5715556 Chung Feb 1998 A
5732433 Gocking et al. Mar 1998 A
5738575 Bock Apr 1998 A
5778474 Shek Jul 1998 A
5836030 Hazeu et al. Nov 1998 A
5839148 Volpenhein Nov 1998 A
5842244 Hilfinger et al. Dec 1998 A
5850655 Gocking et al. Dec 1998 A
5974615 Schwarz-Hartmann et al. Nov 1999 A
6000083 Blaustein et al. Dec 1999 A
6032313 Tsang Mar 2000 A
6106290 Weissman Aug 2000 A
6574820 DePuydt et al. Jun 2003 B1
6760946 DePuydt et al. Jul 2004 B2
6889401 Fattori et al. May 2005 B2
7448107 DePuydt et al. Nov 2008 B2
Foreign Referenced Citations (10)
Number Date Country
330411 Apr 1998 CN
4412301 Oct 1995 DE
29517610 Apr 1997 DE
19803311 Aug 1999 DE
0488971 Jun 1992 EP
9-294631 Nov 1997 JP
10-66704 Mar 1998 JP
H10-66704 Mar 1998 JP
WO 9428823 Dec 1994 WO
WO 0078244 Dec 2000 WO
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20110010882 A1 Jan 2011 US
Divisions (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 12289801 Nov 2008 US
Child 12923503 US
Continuations (4)
Number Date Country
Parent 11430280 May 2006 US
Child 12289801 US
Parent 10697206 Oct 2003 US
Child 11430280 US
Parent 10456769 Jun 2003 US
Child 10697206 US
Parent 09425423 Oct 1999 US
Child 10456769 US