Tissue cleaner and oral care implement

An oral care implement is provided, in one embodiment, with a plurality of spaced-apart tissue cleaning pads (400) radially arranged around a central axis (450) to form a grouping on one side of the head. A bridge (465) is positioned between each pad (400). Each pad (400) further preferably includes one or more protrusions (980) along an upper surface thereof. There also is provided a plurality of cleaning elements (150) extending from an opposite side of the head of the oral care implement and connected to the cleaning pads through the head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/066576, filed Dec. 21, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to oral care implements generally, and more particularly to, in one embodiment, an oral care implement with tissue cleaning pads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to the American Dental Association, a major source of bad breath in healthy people is microbial deposits on the tongue, where a bacterial coating harbors organisms and debris that contribute to bad breath. The tongue is a haven for the growth of microorganisms since the papillary nature of the tongue surface creates a unique ecological site that provides an extremely large surface area, favoring the accumulation of oral bacteria. Anaerobic flora and bacteria residing on the tongue play an important role in the development of chronic bad breath commonly called halitosis. In general, the bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). If there is enough buildup of the sulfur compounds, the result can be lead bad breath or oral malodor.

Bladed tongue scrapers have been used in the past, but some users avoid the use of such blades because of lack of comfort on the tongue surface.

Hence, there is a need for an oral care implement with a tissue cleanser that provides effective removal of bacteria and other debris from the tongue and other soft tissue surfaces while maintaining comfort to the user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An oral care implement is provided, in one embodiment, with a head having a plurality of spaced-apart tissue cleaning pads radially arranged around a central axis to form a grouping, each pad having an inner region close to the central axis and an outer region spaced away from the central axis, the inner region being raised relative to the outer region and having scraping surfaces along certain edge regions for improved cleaning of the soft tissue in an oral cavity. The outer regions of the tissue cleaning pads are preferably flush with an outer surface of the head to provide comfort to a user as the oral care implement is drawn across a user's soft tissue surfaces. In another embodiment, each pad further preferably includes one or more protrusions along an upper surface thereof to provide additional cleaning surfaces. In another embodiment there is provided a bifurcated tissue cleaning pad having a bifurcated tooth cleaning element depending therefrom, the bifurcated tissue cleaning pad and the bifurcated tooth cleaning element provided with protrusions for enhanced cleaning of both soft tissue and tooth elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3illustrate one embodiment of an oral care implement100having a representative handle200for gripping by a user (not shown), a head300and a neck250defined therebetween. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the oral care implement100is shown as a toothbrush where the head300has a first or front side320provided with tooth cleaning elements150, and a second or rear side340having a rear surface350on which is provided one or more tissue-cleaning pads400for cleaning the soft tissue of the oral cavity such as the tongue and cheeks, for example. The rear side340and surface350is shown as relatively flat for purposes of describing certain features, although it will be appreciated that the head300and its respective surfaces may be curved or otherwise contoured as desired. The toothbrush100may be manual or powered or a combination of the same, and may be any shape, size, or material, while the cleaning elements150can be formed from any material composition and configuration as desired. For example, the cleaning elements150may comprise nylon bristles, elastomeric elements, rubber elements, and/or combinations of the same. The handle200is illustrated generically, it being understood that the handle200can be contoured, provided with gripping elements to enhance handling, and other features known in the art.

As shown inFIG. 2, each tissue-cleaning pad400further comprises an outer surface410having a plurality of edge regions420,430that are at least partially raised from the rear surface350of the rear side340of the head300, and at least one additional edge region440that is adjacent or substantially flush with the rear surface350. The additional edge region440forms a smooth transition between the rear surface350of the head300and the tongue cleaning pads400that is comfortable to the user. The edge regions420,430are elevated from the rear surface350by sloped walls421,431that extend from a first area422,432adjacent the rear surface350and converge toward an intersection426of the walls421,431. The intersection426of the walls421,431may form a relatively sharp corner or it may comprise a smooth surface, or a combination of the same. Additional surface features or contours are possible. The edge regions420,430intersect at an area that forms an apex425of the outer surface410where the apex425defines the highest elevation of the outer surface410relative to the rear surface350of the rear side340of the head300.

Each wall421,431functions as a scraping surface for scraping bacteria and the like from soft tissue that enters the spaces between the pads400and that contacts the walls421,431of each pad as the oral care implement100is drawn across the various surfaces of soft tissue in the oral cavity. One or each wall421,431may optionally further comprise a recessed central portion423,433(FIG. 3) that is preferably slightly inwardly curved to provide an additional scooping action in addition to a scraping action, wherein the edge regions420,430slightly overhang the recessed central portions423,433. The overall scraping action experienced by the pad walls421,431is mitigated by the smoothness of the transition between the additional edge regions440and the head surface350provided around the outer edge of each pad400. Thus, a user will obtain the cleaning benefit of the scraping walls421,431near the intersections of the pads without being subject to an aggressive pad topography formed by scraping surfaces along all of the edge regions420,430,440. The tissue cleaning pads400are preferably composed of a soft and pliable elastomeric material for comfortable cleaning and effective removal of bacteria and debris disposed on the surface of the tongue, other soft tissue in the mouth and even along the lips. The tissue cleaner pads400also provide effective massaging, stimulation and removal of bacteria, debris and epithelial cells from the surfaces of the tongue, cheeks, gums or lips. The pads preferably have a Shore hardness of 8 to 35 Shore A.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, there are a plurality of spaced-apart (bifurcated), wedge-shaped tissue cleaning pads400radially arranged around a central axis450to form a plurality of groupings460,470. While a plurality of groupings460,470are shown, it will be appreciated that only one grouping (FIG. 4A) may be used, or more than two groupings (not shown) if desired. Other arrangements are possible. In addition, while wedge-shaped pads400are shown in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3, for example, it will be appreciated that other shapes and configurations are possible, such as, but not limited to, circular (FIG. 4A), oval (FIG. 4B), diamond-shaped (FIG. 4C), and the like.

Returning toFIGS. 1-3, the pads400in each grouping are interconnected by bridges405, while an additional bridge465spans between one pad400from each grouping460,470to interconnect the groupings460,470together. While a bridge465is defined between groupings460,470, each grouping may exist independent of the other, in which case a bridge may not be provided between groupings. The bridges465,460,470positionally align the pads400relative to each other and increase the structural integrity of the pad groupings during the manufacturing process. The bridges405,465may be flush with the rear surface350of the head300as shown, or they may be embedded within the head (not shown) so that only the pads400are visible, or they may be situated on top of the rear surface350of the head300. In addition, the bridges405,465may be located toward the centers of the pads400as shown, or they may be situated in different locations relative to the pads400as desired. A variety of different aesthetic effects may also be created by varying the relative positions of the pads, or of the bridges relative to the pads, and by varying the relative positions of each grouping of pads.

FIGS. 5-6Cillustrate another embodiment of an oral care implement500having a handle600for gripping by a user (not shown), a head700and a neck650defined therebetween, the head700having a first or front side720provided with tooth cleaning elements800, and a second or rear side740having a rear surface750on which is provided one or more tissue-cleaning pads900enhanced with protrusions980for cleaning the soft tissue of the oral cavity such as the tongue and cheeks, for example. The rear side740and surface750is shown as relatively flat for purposes of describing certain features, although it will be appreciated that the head700and its respective surfaces may be curved or otherwise contoured as desired. The toothbrush500may be manual or powered or a combination of the same, and may be any shape, size, or material, while the cleaning elements800can be formed from any material composition and configuration as desired. The handle600is illustrated generically, it being understood that the handle600can be contoured, provided with gripping elements to enhance handling, and other features known in the art.

As shown inFIGS. 6A-6C, each tissue-cleaning pad900further comprises an outer surface910having a plurality of edge regions920,930that are at least partially raised from the rear surface750of the rear side740of the head700, and at least one additional edge region940that is adjacent or substantially flush with the rear surface750. The pads900are interconnected by bridges905and are radially arranged around a central axis950to form groupings960,970that are interconnected by a bridge965. The edge regions920,930are elevated from the rear surface750by sloped walls921,931that converge toward an intersection926and that form scraping surfaces as previously described. The outer surface910of each pad900further comprises a plurality of bar-shaped protrusions980that are arranged along the outer surface910of the pad900and that are directionally oriented toward the central axis950. The bar-shaped protrusions980generally comprise a proximal end982, a distal end983, and an upper surface984. The bar-shaped protrusions have a thickness986(FIG. 6C) and extend a height987from the rear surface750of the head700. Additionally, the bar-shaped protrusions980extend for a length988(FIG. 6A) along the outer surface910of the pad900and are directionally oriented from the edge region940to the edge regions920,930toward the central axis950. The length988of each bar-shaped protrusion980may vary from an adjacent bar-shaped protrusion by virtue of the changing geometry of the outer surface910of the pad900. In the illustrated embodiment, the bar-shaped protrusion with the greatest length is aligned with the intersection926of the walls921,931and the apex925of the outer surface910. This provides at least one bar-shaped protrusion at the highest elevation for additional reach between the papillae of the tongue and other soft tissue during use of the toothbrush500. Preferably, the height987of the bar-shaped protrusions is between 0.5 mm and 1.25 mm as measured from the rear surface750of the head700. The upper surface984of each of the bar-shaped protrusions980has curved outer edges985so as to minimize sharp edges at the point of contact with the soft tissue. In one embodiment, the bar shaped protrusions980are arranged in a substantially parallel configuration relative to each other. However, other arrangements are possible including non-parallel configurations wherein the proximal end982of each bar-shaped protrusion980is toward the apex925, while the distal end983of each bar-shaped protrusion fans out in alignment with the sloped walls921,931(see, for example,FIG. 8).

The bar-shaped protrusions980are preferably made of the same material as the pad900. In some embodiments, the bar-shaped protrusions980and the pad900are made of a thermoplastic elastomer. In other embodiments, however, the bar-shaped protrusions980and the pad900are each made of a different material. For example, the bar-shaped protrusions could be a plastic that is the same material as the head700and molded together with the head in a first step in the molding process. The pad900could be made of a second softer material, preferably a thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore A hardness in the range of 8 to 35 Shore A. The softer pad900would then be injection molded over the head700such that the bar-shaped protrusions extend from the outer surface of the head and through the pad900so that the outer surface of the bar-shaped protrusion980is exposed through the pad900. Alternatively, the pad900could be injection molded over the bar-shaped protrusion980so that the bar-shaped protrusion980is made of the inner, harder plastic, which is covered by an outer layer of the softer material from which the pad900is made. In one embodiment, the bar-shaped protrusion is made of polypropylene and the pad900is made of thermoplastic elastomer having a Shore A hardness in the range of 8 to 35 Shore A. While bar protrusions980are shown, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible, including, but not limited to, bumps as shown for example inFIG. 7, a combination of bumps and bars as shown for example inFIG. 8, or single protrusions such as the single star-shaped protrusions shown inFIG. 9. Other configurations are possible. The protrusions980provide the pads900with additional scraping surfaces that act in conjunction with the sloped walls921,931for cleaning bacteria from soft tissue. However, even though the protrusions980provides an enhanced sensory experience for the user, the additional edge regions940maintain a smooth transition between the rear surface750of the head700and the pads900to minimize the aggressiveness of the outwardly oriented edges of the pads900.

FIGS. 10-11Billustrate yet another embodiment of an oral care implement1000having a handle1100for gripping by a user (not shown), a head1200and a neck1150defined therebetween. The head1200has a first or front side1220provided with tooth cleaning elements1300, and a second or rear side1240having a rear surface1250on which is provided one or more tissue-cleaning pads1400. The rear side1240and surface1250is shown as relatively flat for purposes of describing certain features, although it will be appreciated that the head1200and its respective surfaces may be curved or otherwise contoured as desired. The tissue cleaning pads1400have associated tooth cleaning elements1600depending from connecting members1500that extend through the head1200, the tooth cleaning elements1600preferably being formed from the same material as the tissue cleaning pads1400for ease of manufacturing. The tooth cleaning elements1300shown inFIG. 10are omitted fromFIGS. 11A-11Bto better illustrate the tooth cleaning elements1600. The handle1100is illustrated generically, it being understood that the handle1100can be contoured, provided with gripping elements to enhance handling, and other features known in the art.

As shown inFIGS. 11A-11B, each tissue-cleaning pad1400further comprises an outer surface1410having a plurality of edge regions1420,1430that are at least partially raised from the rear surface1250of the rear side1240of the head1200, and at least one additional edge region1440that is adjacent or substantially flush with the rear surface1250. The pads1400are preferably interconnected by bridges1405and are radially arranged around a central axis1450to form groupings1460,1470that are interconnected by a bridge1465. The edge regions1420,1430intersect along an area1425that is near the central axis1450and are elevated from the rear surface1250by sloped walls1421,1431. The outer surface1410of each pad1400further comprises a plurality of bar-shaped protrusions1480that are arranged in a substantially parallel configuration along the outer surface1410of the pad1400and that are directionally oriented toward the central axis1450. While bar protrusions are shown, it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 11A-11B, each grouping1460,1470describes a bifurcated tissue-cleaning pad defined by a plurality of spaced-apart wedge-shaped pads1400radially arranged around a central axis1450and connected by bridges1405,1465, each pad having one or more protrusions1480, an inner region1425close to the central axis1450and an outer region1440spaced away from the central axis1450, the inner region1425being raised relative to the outer region1440. The tooth cleaning elements1600are similarly bifurcated into a plurality of individual tooth cleaning elements1610that each extend downward through the head1200(FIG. 11A) relative to the pads1400, where first and second groupings1660,1670of tooth cleaning elements1610extend from the first and second groupings1460,1470of pads1400. The bridge1465between the pad groupings1460,1470links the cleaning element groupings1660,1670together to form a unified arrangement of tissue cleaning pads1400and tooth cleaning elements1610, where the tissue cleaning pads are arranged in a first plane and the tooth cleaning elements1610are arranged in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The unified arrangement allows for the tissue cleaning pads1400to be injection molded with the tooth cleaning elements1610in a single injection-molding step during the manufacturing process. This creates an efficiency in the process which allows for faster manufacturing while at the same time increasing the structural integrity of the tissue cleaning pads1400and the tooth cleaning elements1610.

In one grouping1460, the connecting members1500extend from the bridges1405interconnecting the pads1400, while in another grouping1470the connecting members1500extend from the pads1400. Other connection scenarios are possible. Each cleaning element1610further comprises outer protrusions1680extending along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the pad protrusions1480, and inner protrusions1690defined within the interior of a grouping1660,1670of elements1610, the protrusions1680,1690providing scraping surfaces upon impact with a user's teeth and soft tissue if desired. In one grouping1460,1660the protrusions1480,1680are directionally aligned, while in the other grouping1470,1670the protrusions are not aligned.