Toothbrush with curved neck

A toothbrush including a handle portion, a head portion, a plurality of bristles coupled to the head portion, and a neck portion. The neck portion is curved such that the neck portion is angled in a direction away from an axis the handle portion extends upon and is then angled in a direction towards the axis.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to dental hygiene, and more particularly to a toothbrush with a neck that is curved for better and more effective teeth cleaning.

2. Description of the Related Art

To ensure proper oral care, dentists recommend that we brush our teeth more than once a day for at least two to three minutes each time. Despite this recommendation, the average adult person does not brush his or her teeth for two to three minutes. Therefore, toothbrushes that provide better and more effective teeth cleaning can be beneficial to adults who don't have the requisite time to brush their teeth. Also, even if the proper amount of time is used to brush, a toothbrush with an improved body orientation and an improved arrangement of bristles can provide more effective teeth cleaning. Accordingly, there is a need for a toothbrush that provides advanced cleaning for more effective teeth cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments, a toothbrush including a handle portion, a head portion, a plurality of bristles coupled to the head portion, and a neck portion. The neck portion has a proximal end coupled to the handle portion at a juncture and a distal end coupled to the head portion. The neck portion is curved continuously from the proximal end to the distal end and is curved such that the neck portion at the proximal end is angled in a direction away from an axis the handle portion extends upon at the juncture and the neck portion at the distal end is angled in a direction towards the axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinarily skilled in the art that elements of the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinarily skilled in the art that elements of the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.

FIG. 1illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a toothbrush10. The toothbrush10includes a body12and a plurality of bristles14extending from the body12.

The body12extends from a proximal end16to a distal end18and is configured to be gripped by a user and inserted into the user's mouth to position the bristles14on the user's teeth. The body12includes a dorsal side20, which is the front side of the toothbrush10, and a ventral side22, which is the back side of the toothbrush10. The bristles14extend from the dorsal side20of the body12.

The body12may include a handle portion24, a neck portion26, and a head portion28. The handle portion24may include a base portion30and a grip portion or thumb grip portion32.

The base portion30has a distal end34and a proximal end that defines the proximal end16of the body12. The base portion30may have a longitudinal shape as shown and may extend upon an axis36. The base portion30may have a dorsal surface38at the dorsal side20of the body12, and a ventral surface40at the ventral side22of the body12. The base portion30may have a triangular shape when viewed along a cross section transverse to the body12, with two vertices of the triangular shape being on the dorsal side20of the body12, and one vertex being on the ventral side22of the body12. The base portion30may be made out of a combination of materials. For example, the base portion30may be made of pliant material42and rigid material44. The combination of pliant and rigid material may provide a firm yet cushioned structure for the base portion30. The pliant material42may extend around the base portion30and include openings that expose portions of the rigid material44. The base portion30may be configured to be held in the palm of a user's hand during use of the toothbrush10. In one embodiment, the base portion30may have a different shape or structure than shown inFIG. 1.

The base portion30is positioned adjacent to the thumb grip portion32. The distal end34of the base portion30couples to a proximal end46of the thumb grip portion32at a juncture. The juncture is the point of transition between the respective ends34,46. The thumb grip portion32extends away from the proximal end46of the thumb grip portion32to a distal end48of the thumb grip portion32. The distal end48of the thumb grip portion32may define the distal end of the handle portion24. The thumb grip portion32may have a longitudinal shape as shown and may extend upon axis36. The thumb grip portion32may have a dorsal surface50at the dorsal side20of the body12, and a ventral surface52at the ventral side22of the body12. The thumb grip portion32may have a round or oval shape when viewed along a cross section transverse to the body12. The thumb grip portion32may be made out of a combination of materials. For example, the thumb grip portion32may be made of pliant material54and rigid material57(marked inFIG. 3). The combination of pliant and rigid material may provide a firm yet cushioned structure for the thumb grip portion32. The pliant material may extend around the thumb grip portion32and include openings that expose portions of the rigid material57. The thumb grip portion32may be configured to be gripped by a user's thumb during use of the toothbrush10. In one embodiment, the thumb grip portion32may have a different shape or structure than shown inFIG. 1.

The base portion30and thumb grip portion32may extend upon the same axis36. The handle portion24may accordingly extend upon the axis36. The axis36may represent a midline of the handle portion24, as shown inFIG. 1, or the line that equal amounts of the handle portion24are positioned about. The axis36may also extend upon a midplane54(marked inFIG. 5) that divides the handle portion24into substantially equal halves and defines the boundary between the dorsal side20and the ventral side22of the body12along the handle portion24. The dorsal side20of the handle portion24may be positioned on a first side56of midplane54(marked with an arrow inFIG. 5) and the ventral side22may be positioned on a second side58(marked opposite the side with the arrow inFIG. 5) of the midplane54. In one embodiment, the handle portion24may have a curved shape such that the entirety of the handle portion24does not extend upon a single axis. In one embodiment, the handle portion24may have a different shape or structure than shown inFIG. 1, yet remain configured for a user's hand to grip.

The neck portion26has a proximal end60that couples to the distal end48of the thumb grip portion32and the handle portion24at a juncture. The juncture is the point of transition between the respective ends48,60. The neck portion26is positioned adjacent to the thumb grip portion32. The neck portion26extends away from the proximal end60of the neck portion26to the distal end62of the neck portion26. The neck portion26may have a dorsal surface63at the dorsal side20of the body12, and a ventral surface65at the ventral side22of the body12. The neck portion26is curved, and is preferably curved continuously along its extent. The neck portion26may be curved such that the neck portion at the proximal end60is angled in a direction away from the dorsal side20of the body12, and the neck portion26at the distal end62is angled towards the dorsal side20of the body12. With regard to the thumb grip portion32, the thumb grip portion32at the juncture with the neck portion26extends upon axis36. The neck portion26at the proximal end60is angled in a direction away from the axis36, and at the distal end62is angled in a direction towards the axis36. In one embodiment, the base portion30may be curved such that it does not extend upon the axis that the thumb grip portion32extends upon at the juncture with neck portion26, yet the neck portion26may angle away and towards the axis that the thumb grip portion32extends upon at the juncture as shown inFIG. 1. As such, the neck portion26may be angled with regard to the axis that the thumb grip portion32extends upon at the juncture, regardless of whether other portions of the grip portion32or base portion30extend upon a different axis. With regard to the midplane54, the neck portion26at the proximal end60is angled in a direction away from the first side56of the plane54and is angled in a direction towards the first side56at the distal end62of the neck portion26. The neck portion26may have a concave curvature relative to the dorsal side20of the body12and a concave curvature relative to the axis36and first side56of the plane54. The neck portion26may angle away from the direction of extent of the thumb grip portion32at the proximal end60and angle in an opposite direction towards the direction of extent at the distal end62.

The neck portion26at the proximal end60may have an angle64(marked inFIG. 2) relative to the axis36of between about thirteen (13) to twenty (20) degrees, and is preferably about fifteen (15) degrees. The neck portion26at the distal end62may have an angle66(marked inFIG. 2) relative to the axis36of between about eleven (11) to eighteen (18) degrees, and is preferably about fourteen (14) degrees. The neck portion26may be configured to extend the head portion28away from the neck portion26such that the head portion28may reach the teeth of the user, or may be otherwise defined as a portion of the body12that starts a continuous curve concave relative to the dorsal side20of the body12. In one embodiment, the dimensions and angles of the neck portion may be varied.

A proximal end68of the head portion28couples to the distal end62of the neck portion26at a juncture. The juncture is the point of transition between the respective ends62,68. The head portion28is configured to couple to the plurality of bristles14. The head portion28may be angled to the same extent as the distal end62of the neck portion26. For example the head portion28may be angled at the degree of angle66shown or described in regard toFIG. 2. The head portion28may have a dorsal surface70(marked inFIG. 3) at the dorsal side20of the body12, and a ventral surface72(marked inFIG. 4) at the ventral side22of the body12. The dorsal surface70may be substantially flat and extend at the angle66shown or described in regard toFIG. 2. A tongue scraper73may be positioned on the ventral surface72.

The neck portion26may be curved such that the head portion28does not pass through the midplane54, and does not pass through the axis36. The head portion28may be positioned entirely on the second side58of the midplane54. The head portion28may be offset from the plane54and axis36and angled in a direction towards axis36. The head portion28may extend along an axis74that intersects axis36. The plurality of bristles14extend from head portion28in a direction toward axis36and away from the second side58of the midplane54.

The neck portion26represents a substantial portion of the length of the body12. With regard to a midline distance80(marked inFIG. 2) of the body12, taken along a midline of the body12, the neck portion26represents at least about twenty five (25) percent of the midline distance80of the body12. With regard to a linear distance82of the body12from the proximal end16to the distal end18, the linear distance84of the neck portion parallel to the linear distance82of the body12is at least about twenty five (25) percent of the linear distance of the body12. The displacement86of the neck portion26from the linear distance82of the body12is at least about six (6) percent of the linear distance82. In one embodiment, these dimensions may be varied.

FIG. 3illustrates a front view of toothbrush10. The body12may be substantially symmetrical about the axis36. The neck portion26may have a width along the entirety of its extent that is less that the width of the thumb grip portion32. The neck portion26may have a width along the entirety of its extent that is less than the width of the head portion28.

FIG. 4illustrates a rear view of toothbrush10. The tongue scraper73may include a pattern of raised portions separated by lower portions, with the raised portions configured to scrub a user's tongue.

FIG. 5illustrates a top view of toothbrush10. The head portion28may be angled towards the first side56of the midplane54, yet may not pass through the midplane54.

FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate top left perspective views of the toothbrush10.FIG. 8illustrates a bottom left perspective view of the toothbrush10.

A toothbrush including features as discussed in regard toFIGS. 1-8, particularly the curved features of the neck portion, has been found to provide improved access to teeth in the rear of the user's mouth, increasing ease of use of the toothbrush. The curved neck portion allows the user to more easily insert the toothbrush into the back of the user's mouth without being blocked by other portions of the mouth. The angle of the head portion28has also been shown to provide an improved scrubbing angle against the teeth in the rear of the user's mouth. The scrubbing angle allows the bristles14to more easily clean plaque and other residue from the user's teeth when the toothbrush10is moved to a variety of positions in the user's mouth.

FIG. 9illustrates a top left perspective view of head portion28showing bristles14extending from dorsal surface70of the head portion28. The bristles14may be grouped into tufts. The tufts may include a toe tuft88, a heel tuft90, and a plurality of rows92,94,96,98,100,102,104of bristle tufts.

The toe tuft88may be positioned adjacent the distal end18of the head portion28. The toe tuft88may be angled towards the distal end18of the head portion28, as shown inFIG. 9. The toe tuft88may have a round or substantially circular footprint, which is the cross sectional appearance of the tuft from a top plan view. The toe tuft88may have a bristle profile, which is the appearance of the free ends of the tuft from a side plan view, that is angled upwards as the toe tuft88extends in a direction towards the distal end18of the head portion28. The free ends of the bristles of the toe tuft88more proximal to the distal end18of the head portion28may be higher than the free ends of the bristles of the toe tuft88more proximal to the proximal end68of the head portion28.

The heel tuft90may be positioned adjacent the proximal end68of the head portion28. The heel tuft90may be angled towards the proximal end68of the head portion28, as shown inFIG. 9. The heel tuft90may have a v-shape footprint that encloses an area. The heel tuft90may have a bristle profile that is angled upwards as the heel tuft90extends in a direction towards the proximal end68of the head portion28. The free ends of the bristles of the heel tuft90more proximal to the proximal end68of the head portion28may be higher than the free ends of the bristles of the heel tuft90more proximal to the distal end18of the head portion28.

The plurality of rows92,94,96,98,100,102,104of bristle tufts may each include tufts aligned in a direction transverse to the axis74that the head portion28extends upon. Row92may include tufts92a,92b,92c,92d(marked inFIG. 10) aligned in a transverse direction105to the axis74. Each tuft in row92may be aligned towards the left side106of the head portion by an angle of between about four (4) and ten (10) degrees to the dorsal surface70. Preferably, the tufts of row92are each angled by about seven (7) degrees to the left. The tufts of row92may each have a v-shape footprint that encloses an area. The tufts92a,92dmay have a footprint that has a greater angled v-shape than the tufts92b,92c. The tufts92a,92dmay have a bristle profile that angles upwards as the tufts92a,92dextend towards left side106. The tufts92b,92cmay have a bristle profile that is flat. The bristle profile of tufts92b,92cmay extend parallel to the dorsal surface70of head portion28.

Rows94,98,102may include tufts aligned in a direction transverse105to axis74. Each tuft of row94,98,102may extend substantially perpendicular to the dorsal surface70. Each tuft of row94,98,102may have a round or substantially circular footprint. Each tuft of row94,98,102may have a bristle profile that is flat, and extends parallel to the dorsal surface70.

Row96may include tufts96a,96b,96c,96d,96e(marked inFIG. 10) aligned in a transverse direction105to the axis74. Each tuft in row96may be aligned towards the right side108of the head portion (marked inFIG. 11) by an angle of between about four (4) and ten (10) degrees to the dorsal surface70. Preferably, the tufts of row96are each angled by about seven (7) degrees to the right. The tufts of row96may each have a v-shape footprint that encloses an area. The tufts96a,96emay have a footprint that has a greater angled v-shape than the tufts96b,96c,96d. The tufts96a,96emay have a bristle profile that angles upwards as the tufts96a,96eextend towards right side108. The tufts96b,96c,96dmay have a bristle profile that is flat. The bristle profile of tufts96b,96c,96dmay extend parallel to the dorsal surface70of head portion28.

Row100may include tufts100a,100b,100c,100d,100e(marked inFIG. 10) aligned in a transverse direction105to the axis74. Each tuft in row100may be aligned towards the left side106of the head portion by an angle of between about four (4) and ten (10) degrees to the dorsal surface70. Preferably, the tufts of row100are each angled by about seven (7) degrees to the right. The tufts of row100may each have a v-shape footprint that encloses an area. The tufts100a,100emay have a footprint that has a greater angled v-shape than the tufts100b,100c,100d. The tufts100a,100emay have a bristle profile that angles upwards as the tufts100a,100eextend towards left side106. The tufts100b,100c,100dmay have a bristle profile that is flat. The bristle profile of tufts100b,100c,100dmay extend parallel to the dorsal surface70of head portion28.

Row104may include tufts104a,104b,104c(marked inFIG. 10) aligned in a transverse direction105to the axis74. Each tuft in row104may be aligned towards the right side108of the head portion by an angle of between about four (4) and ten (10) degrees to the dorsal surface70. Preferably, the tufts of row104are each angled by about seven (7) degrees to the right. The tufts of row104may each have a v-shape footprint that encloses an area. The tufts104a,104cmay have a footprint that has a greater angled v-shape than the tuft104b. The tufts104a,104cmay have a bristle profile that angles upwards as the tufts104a,104cextend towards right side108. The tuft104bmay have a bristle profile that is flat. The bristle profile of tuft104bmay extend parallel to the dorsal surface70of head portion28.

The rows92,94,96,98,100,102,104of bristle tufts extend in alternating directions, with the rows92,100angled towards the left side106of the head portion28, the rows96,104angled towards the right side108of the head portion28, and the rows94,98,102not angled to either side106,108. The rows92,96,100,104may be considered to be angled relative to the direction that the tufts of rows94,98,102extend in. Alternating adjacent rows92,96,100,104may be angled in opposite directions from each other. The alternating adjacent rows92,96,100,104may be angled relative to the adjacent intervening rows94,98,102. The bristle profiles of the tufts92a,92d,96a,96e,100a,100e,104a,104cmay be considered to be angled relative to the bristle profiles of tufts94,98,102and tufts92b,92c,96b,96c,96d,100b,100c,100d,104b. The upper ends of the tufts of rows92,96,100,104may be positioned higher than the ends of tufts of rows94,98,102.

FIG. 10illustrates a side perspective view of the bristles14.FIG. 11illustrates an end perspective view of bristles14. In one embodiment, the configuration of bristles14may be varied from the configuration that is shown inFIGS. 9-11.

The configuration of bristles14shown inFIGS. 9-11have been found to have superior ability for tooth cleaning, including interdental cleaning. The angled rows of bristles may allow for scrubbing and polishing action against the teeth as the rows92,96,100,104angled in opposing directions are swept against the teeth. The rows92,96,100,104angled towards the direction of movement may provide a scrubbing effect at the same time the rows92,96,100,104angled away from the direction of movement provide a polishing effect. In addition, the columnar rows94,98,102may polish the teeth as the longer angled rows92,96,100,104extend between teeth. The configuration of bristles14in combination with the structure of body12shown inFIGS. 1-7has been found to enhance this cleaning ability, by the improved access to teeth and cleaning angle of the head portion offered by body12.

FIG. 12illustrates a side view of toothbrush10.FIG. 13illustrates a front view of toothbrush10.FIG. 14illustrates a front right perspective view of toothbrush10.

In one embodiment, the body12may have a different shape or structure than shown inFIGS. 1-7 and 12-14.

FIG. 15illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a toothbrush110including a body112having a neck portion116that is separable from the handle portion118. The features and dimensions of the toothbrush10apply to the toothbrush110unless otherwise stated.

The body112may include the handle portion118, the neck portion116, and a head portion122. A plurality of bristles114may extend form the head portion122. The handle portion118may include a base portion124and a grip portion or thumb grip portion126. The proximal end127of the handle portion118may be configured to be substantially flat, such that the toothbrush110may stand upright upon a surface.

The neck portion116may be configured to separate from the handle portion118at the distal end128of the handle portion and the proximal end130of the neck portion116.

The toothbrush110may include a motor132(marked inFIG. 20) configured to move the bristles114. The motor132may be configured to vibrate to move the bristles114such that they provide improved scrubbing of the user's teeth. The bristles114may be configured to vibrate based on the motion of the motor132. In one embodiment, the bristles114may be configured to vibrate for at least 20,000 strokes per minute. In one embodiment, the bristles114may be configured to vibrate for at least 24,000 strokes per minute. In one embodiment, the motor132may be configured to rotate the bristles114or impart other forms of motion to the bristles114.

FIG. 16illustrates a front view of the toothbrush110. The toothbrush110may include a power switch134for controlling power to the motor132. The power switch134may be configured to be pressed to turn on the motor132, and may be pressed to turn off the motor132. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 16, an off switch136is included to turn off the motor132. The off switch136may be utilized in an embodiment in which pressing the power switch134does not turn off the motor132. The power switch134and off switch136may be positioned on the thumb grip portion126, and may be positioned adjacent to one another.

The bristles114may include multiple toe tufts138and a series of rows140,142,144,146,148,150,152,154,156,158of bristle tufts and gum massagers. Row140may include gum massagers. Row158may include bristle tufts. Rows142,150may include bristle tufts angled towards the left side160of the head portion122. Rows148,156may include bristle tufts angled towards the right side162of the head portion122. The rows142,150,148,156may alternate in angle direction. Each tuft in rows142,150,148,156may be at an angle of between about four (4) and ten (10) degrees, preferably, the tufts of rows142,150,148,156may be each angled by about seven (7) degrees. Rows144,148,152,156may include both gum massagers and bristle tufts. The gum massagers and bristle tufts of rows140,144,148,152,156,158may extend substantially upwards from the head portion122.

In one embodiment, the bristles114may be configured as the bristles14shown inFIGS. 9-11. In one embodiment, the bristles114may have an alternative configuration. In one embodiment, the bristles14may be configured as the bristles114shown inFIG. 16.

FIG. 17illustrates a side view of the toothbrush110with the neck portion116separated from the handle portion118. The handle portion118may include a connector device164positioned at the distal end128of the handle portion118. The connector device164may form a protrusion in the form of a post that is positioned at the distal end128. The connector device164may be angled towards the ventral side of the body112. The connector device164may include a catch166. The catch166may be positioned on a dorsal surface of the connector device164. The catch166may be in the form of a ridge on the dorsal surface.

The neck portion116may be configured to separably couple to the handle portion118via the connector device164. The connector device164may be configured to insert into the neck portion116to separably couple to the neck portion116. The neck portion116may include a cavity168(marked inFIG. 20) that receives the connector device164. The connector device164may insert into the cavity168to separably couple to the neck portion116, and may be slid out of the cavity168to separate from the neck portion116. The proximal end130of the neck portion116may include pliant material170in the form of a skirt. The pliant material170may extend over the distal end128of the handle portion118and may form a water seal of the coupling between the neck portion116and the handle portion118.

FIG. 18illustrates a close-up view of the dorsal surface of the connector device164.FIG. 19illustrates a close-up view of the ventral surface of the connector device164. The ventral surface may include a track171in the form of a recess for receiving a mating track of the neck portion116. The track171may slide along the mating track to align the neck portion116and the handle portion118when the connector device164is inserted into the neck portion116. The ventral surface of the connector device164may include a catch172in the form of a ridge on the ventral surface. The catch172may be positioned along the track171.

FIG. 20illustrates a cross sectional view of the toothbrush110along line20-20inFIG. 16. The connector device164extends into the cavity168. The respective catches166,172may be configured to engage respective recesses174,176in the interior surface of the neck portion116. The catches166,172may form a friction fit within the respective recesses174,176to allow the neck portion116to separably couple to the handle portion118.

A power source178may be positioned in an interior cavity180of the handle portion118. The power source178may be in the form of at least one battery that is removable from the interior cavity180. In one embodiment, the power source178may be a battery that is not removable from the interior cavity180, or may be plug for inserting into a wall socket, or another form of power source. Power terminals182may couple to the power source178to transfer power from the power source178for powering the motor132.

The power switch134may include a push button184and an electrical actuator186. The push button184may form a flexible portion of the handle portion118to be pushed by a user. The electrical actuator186may be positioned in the interior cavity180of the handle portion118and may be configured to complete a circuit to either power or unpower the motor132. The off switch136may include a push button188and an electrical actuator190. The push button188may form a flexible portion of the handle portion118to be pushed by a user. The electrical actuator190may be positioned in the interior cavity180of the handle portion118and may be configured to complete a circuit to either power or unpower the motor132. The electrical actuators186,190may both be positioned on a circuit board192. The circuit board192may include circuitry for controlling operation of the motor132. In one embodiment, the circuit board192may include timer circuitry for automatically stopping operation of the motor132after a predetermined period of time elapses.

The neck portion116may have a curvature that is identical to the curvature of the neck portion26. In one embodiment, the neck portion116may have a radius of curvature between about 3 and 4.5 centimeters. In one embodiment, the neck portion116may have a radius of curvature between about 3.5 and 4 centimeters. The neck portion26may include an identical radius of curvature as the neck portion116. In one embodiment, the neck portion116may be supplied separate from the handle portion118.

Any feature of toothbrush110may be incorporated into toothbrush10as desired.

The features of toothbrush110may beneficially allow the toothbrush to stand upright to increase usable counter space around a user's sink. The features of toothbrush110may also beneficially allow a user to readily interchange the neck portion and head portion with a different neck and head portion. Such a feature may allow a user to swap out the neck and head portion with a neck and head having different features, such as a different bristle profile, a different curvature of the neck, and other properties of the neck and head. The neck and head portion may also be easily replaced due to wear upon the neck and head, including wear upon the bristles. The structure of the connector device164may enhance the ease at which the neck and head portions may be replaced and secured to the handle portion. The use of the motor may beneficially enhance the brushing ability of the toothbrush110.

The foregoing description of the disclosed example embodiments is provided to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these examples will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the principles disclosed herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the following claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.