TOOTHBRUSH

Abstract: A toothbrush (1) having at least one brushing head disposed at one of its ends; the toothbrush (1) comprises a handle (3), the handle (3) comprises a longitudinal grip portion (5) and at least one bifurcated end portion (7, 9). The bifurcated end portion (7, 9) has two cleansing means carrying members (11, 13) extending in parallel directions, the carrying members (11, 13) being spaced at sufficient distance from one another so as to allow mounting cleansing means thereon. The cleansing means comprise at least one of the following: (i) a pair of brushing heads (15, 17) comprising bristle bundles (19, 21) arranged at the extremities of the carrying members (11, 13); (ii) a dental floss (27), a length of which is tautly stretched across the carrying members.

Description: TOOTHBRUSH TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention concerns toothbrushes in general, and toothbrushes combined with plaque removers, dental floss or toothpicks in particular. BACKGROUND ART Toothbrushes and other tooth cleaning aids, namely - plaque removers, toothpicks and dental floss are considered essential for effectively cleaning of the teeth and gum surfaces and for general mouth hygiene. As such, they are highly recommended for frequent use - at least on a daily basis and preferably twice or three times a day. However, the effective cleaning of the teeth and gum areas requires complicated procedures and exact maneuvers by the human arm and is time consuming. Moreover, since most people brush and clean their teeth early in the morning or late in the evening just prior to retiring, it is beyond the tolerance of most of them to brush their teeth properly, not to mention the use of a plaque remover, a toothpick or a dental floss that is often neglected altogether. In addition, since most conventional toothbrushes do not adapt to easy brushing, the users often resort to simple brushing without performing the widely acknowledged effective brushing technique. Such technique requires back and forth strokes while the toothbrush head is held at approximately 45° angle with the bristles brushing the teeth surfaces and the gap between the teeth and the gums (Sulcus). Furthermore, the toothbrush is almost always available for use in view of the awareness of individuals to its importance. However, due to the lack of awareness in respect of the significance of the routine use of plaque removers, dental floss and toothpicks - these tools are often absent, stored or out of immediate reach, and so their use is often overlooked. It is therefore, an object of this invention, to provide a novel toothbrush that ameliorates effective brushing all the surfaces of the teeth without requiring grossly complicated maneuvers by the user, and aid in controlling tooth caries and other tooth diseases. Another object of this invention is to provide a novel toothbrush that in addition may combine dental floss for flossing of interproximal areas or a toothpick or an auxiliary subgingival brushing bristle bundles or any combination thereof. A further object of this invention is to provide a novel toothbrush that provides for subgingival brush heads or provides for the bristles to easily enter and clean the sulcus, or sulcular pocket - which is the tooth surface hidden behind the gum tissue or below the gum line of the user, contact a tooth surface below the gumline to disrupt bacteria adhering to the tooth surface and aid in preventing or controlling periodontal disease. Still, another object of this invention is to provide a novel toothbrush that provides for a controllable gap between a pair of adjacent arms holding brushheads or floss and so allowing head pressure control. Yet, a further object of this invention is to provide a novel toothbrush that allows for removable installment of auxiliary cleaning tools such as toothbrushes, gum brushes, brushes intended for aid in plaque removal, dental floss, a toothpick, or any combination thereof, all of which may optionally be replaceable or disposable. Still, a further object of this invention is to provide a multipurpose toothbrush synergistically combining several functions in one portable device that comprises a system of comprehensive oral hygiene with elements that may be replaceable or interchangeable, to facilitate oral hygiene needs. These and other objectives are provided by the invention to be described below. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION There is thus provided according to the present invention a novel toothbrush having at least one brushing head disposed at one of its ends, the toothbrush comprises a handle, the handle comprises a longitudinal grip portion and at least one bifurcated end portion, the bifurcated end portion is having two cleansing means carrying members extending in parallel directions, the carrying members being spaced at sufficient distance from one another so as to allow mounting cleansing means thereon, the cleansing means comprising at least one of the following: (i) a pair of brushing heads comprising bristle bundles arranged at the extremities of the carrying members; (ii) a dental floss strand a length of which is tautly stretched across the carrying members. Optionally, the pair of brushing heads may comprise two brushing heads holding bristle arrangements angled in respect of one another, the pair of brushing heads being connected to the handle by means of curved neck portions of the carrying members, and wherein the free ends of the bristles of one brushing head are extending convergingly with the free ends of the other brushing head or proximate to such convergence. The angle between the heads preferably ranges between 120° and 60° and most preferably is in the vicinity of 90°. Preferably, the pair of carrying members comprises flexible neck portions allowing the user to resiliently temporarily bringing the carrying members closer toward each other through their press with the fingers. Further optionally, the pair of brushing heads comprises two opposed facing small brushing heads holding small bristle arrangements for simultaneously brushing both sides of a tooth, the pair of brushing heads being connected to the handle by means of curved neck portions of the carrying members. The opposed facing small brushing heads may be spaced at sufficient distance from one another, so that such distance substantially matches the typical width of a tooth. The small brushing heads may also be slightly inclined in respect of one another in an angle that may range between 180° and 160° with preference to being in the vicinity of 170°. Further preferably, the small brushing heads are removably connected to the carrying members by adequate connection means allowing removal and discard of the small brushing heads. Optionally, the longitudinal grip portion comprises a protrusion mounted thereon, about which the dental floss may be wrapped and secured, and the carrying members comprise at their tips large openings through which the floss may be passed and tautly stretched. In a preferable embodiment, the carrying members comprise two types of the cleansing means spaced apart one above the other so that a first type of the cleansing means is disposed at upper extremities of the carrying members and a second type of the cleansing means is disposed at lower extremities of the carrying members, correspondingly. Preferably, the cleansing means carrying members comprise each a head portion connected to the handle by a neck portion, the head portions comprise a leg curving downward from the neck portion, one type of the cleansing means is disposed at the lower extremities of both of the legs and another type of the cleansing means is disposed at the area of connection between the neck portions and the head portion, respectively. The first type of cleansing means may comprises the dental floss, and the second type of cleansing means may comprises the two opposed facing small brushing heads. The invention also features a toothbrush that comprises a lateral sheath inwhich an oral hygiene implement, such as a toothpick, may be removably sheathed. Further optionally, the longitudinal grip portion comprises a battery powered electric motor to impart vibrating motion or motions of tufts of the bristle bundles. Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below, given by way of example only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the following enclosed drawings inwhich like numerals designate correspondingly analogous elements or sections throughout, and inwhich: Figure 1A is a perspective upper view of one embodiment constructed and operative in accordance with the invention; Figure IB is a perspective lower view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 2 is a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a partial rear view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a partial front view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective side view of another embodiment constructed and operative in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is a partial rear view of the embodiment of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of simultaneous cleaning of two sides of a tooth and their sulcus with one type of a pair of brushing heads constructed and operative in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of cleaning the top face of a tooth with the same type of a pair of brushing heads of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of simultaneous cleaning of one side and top face of a tooth with the same type of a pair of brushing heads of Figure 8; and Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of cleaning two sides of a tooth with another type of a pair of small brushing heads constructed and operative in accordance with the invention. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In reference to Figures 1 to 5, there is shown a toothbrush 1 comprising in combination several optional features of the invention. By definition, toothbrush 1, like any other toothbrush must be having at least one brushing head disposed at one of its ends. Toothbrush 1 comprises a handle 3. Handle 3 comprises a longitudinal grip portion 5 and at least one bifurcated end portion, such as end portions 7 and 9. Bifurcated end portion 7 or 9 is having two cleansing means carrying members 11 or 13, respectively, extending in parallel directions. Carrying members 11, 13 are spaced at sufficient distance from one another so as to allow mounting cleansing means thereon. The cleansing means comprise at least one of the following: (i) a pair of brushing heads 15 or 17, comprising bristle bundles 19 or 21, respectively, arranged at the extremities 23 or 25, correspondingly, of carrying members 11, 13; (ii) a dental floss 27, a length of which is tautly stretched across carrying members 13. Dental floss 27 may be disposable. It will be appreciated that a brush head 15 may be configured as a conventional toothbrush and may, thus, have any one of a number of combinations of bristles and shapes for performing routine dental hygiene. Moreover, toothbrush 1 comprises a combined toothbrush having several features assembled together, for the sake of synergetic combination but also for the sake of illustrating various options at once. However, one of the bifurcated end portions may be substituted with a single conventional brush head or eliminated altogether, leaving only one of the novel features as an addition to such conventional toothbrush. Brushing heads 15 comprise two brushing heads holding bristle arrangements 19 angled in respect of one another in an angle α, best seen in Figure 5. Brushing heads 15 are connected to handle 5 by means of curved neck portions 29 of carrying members 11. The free ends 31 of the bristles of one brushing head 15 are extending convergingly with the free ends 31 of the other brushing head 15 or proximate to such convergence. Angle α preferably ranges between 120° and 60° and most preferably in the vicinity of 90°. The unique arrangement of brush heads 15 is particularly adapted for simultaneously effectively brushing both sides of a tooth with optimal back and forth strokes, while each brush head 15 is held at approximately 45° angle with the bristles touching a tooth 33 and the sulcus between tooth 33 and gums 35, as shown in Figure 8. Such an advantage is not made at the expense of allowing brushing with different strokes or effectively reaching other faces of the tooth. Figure 9 shows how the top face of a tooth 33 is brushed with the bristles inclined in respect thereto and Figure 10 illustrates how the top face and one side of a tooth 33 are simultaneously brushed with the bristles configures vertically in respect thereto. For further control of the pressure of brushing heads 15, carrying members 11 preferably comprises flexible neck portions 29, thus allowing the user to resiliently temporarily bring carrying members 11 closer toward each other through their press with the fingers of the user. By this the user may adjust the pressure of the bristles on the teeth and gums and render the brushing action further effective. Referring again to Figures 1-5, the pair of brushing heads 17 comprises two opposed facing small brushing heads 17 holding small bristle arrangements for simultaneously brushing both sides of a tooth, as also seen in Figure 11. Brushing heads 17 are connected to handle 3 by means of curved neck portions 37 of carrying members 13. Brushing heads 17 may be spaced at sufficient distance from one another for contacting both sides of the tooth or reach interproximal areas between teeth or enhancing plaque removal or massaging the gums or performing any combination of the above tasks. In this context, the distance between the free ends of heads 17 may substantially match the typical width of a tooth. For reaching more effectively the above area in perpendicular angle, brushing heads 17 are preferably slightly inclined in respect of one another in a predetermined angle β, best shown in Figure 4. angle β preferably ranges between 180° and 160°, and most preferably in the vicinity of 170°. Optionally, brushing heads 17 are removably connected to carrying members 13 by adequate connection means as known in the art, allowing removal and discard of brushing heads 15 that may be replaced with new unworn heads. In addition, for further control of the pressure of brushing heads 17, carrying members 13 preferably comprise flexible neck portions 37, thus allowing the user to resiliently temporarily bring carrying members 13 closer toward each other through their press with the fingers of the user, for similar purposes as explained in respect of heads 15. Carrying members 13 may further comprise at their tips large openings 39 through which the dental floss 27 may be passed and tautly stretched. Openings 39 are preferably large enough to permit the user easy insertion and passing of floss 27 with any trouble To this end longitudinal grip portion 5 comprises a protrusion 41 mounted thereon, about which floss 27 may be wrapped and secured, allowing the removal and discard of floss 27 and its replacement with fresh floss. Preferably, floss 27 is closely adjacenting carrying members 13 so as to minimize possible entanglement during the use of toothbrush 1. In an alternate embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, toothbrush 43 comprises similar grip portion 5 into which brush heads 15 are similarly connected through carrying members 11. Alternately a conventional head 15' may be connected to grip portion 5 with a conventional neck 11'. Brush heads 17 are eliminated, and floss 27 is passed through both openings 39 and 39', so as to retain floss 27 closely adjacenting carrying members 13 so as to minimize possible entanglement during the use of toothbrush 43. In fact, the same structure of carrying members 13 may be used for both embodiments of Figures 1 and 6. In both embodiments, flexible carrying members 13 allow for easy installment of a stretched floss 27 by means of securing the floss to protrusion 41 while members 13 are pressed together by the fingers of the user. Thus, when the fingers release the pressure, carrying arms 13 stretch floss 27 across them with extra force that is advantageous during the cleaning of interproximal areas between the teeth. Referring again to the embodiment of Figures 1-5, it is clear that carrying members 13 comprise two types of cleansing means spaced apart one above the other so that a first type of the cleansing means - dental floss 27, is disposed at upper extremities 45 of carrying members 13 and a second type of the cleansing means - small brushing heads 17, are disposed at lower extremities 47 of carrying members 13, correspondingly. It will be appreciated that the types of cleansing means may be exchanged., replaced or substituted. In the particular case of the embodiment of Figures 1-5, carrying members 13 comprise each a head portion 49 connected to handle 3 by neck portion 37. Head portions 49 comprise a leg curving downward from neck portion 37, so that one type of the cleansing means (Brushes 17) is disposed at the lower extremities of both of the legs and another type of the cleansing means (floss 27) is disposed at the area 45 of the connection between neck portions 37 and head portion 49, respectively. Another optional feature of the invention relates to a lateral sheath 51 inwhich an oral hygiene implement, such as a toothpick 53 may be removably sheathed. As known in the art, longitudinal grip portion 5 may comprise a battery powered electric motor (not shown) to impart vibrating motion or rotational motion of the tufts of bristle bundles 19, 21. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to what has been shown and described hereinabove by way of example only. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A toothbrush having at least one brushing head disposed at one of its ends, the toothbrush comprises a handle, the handle comprises a longitudinal grip portion and at least one bifurcated end portion, the bifurcated end portion is having two cleansing means carrying members extending in parallel directions, said carrying members being spaced at sufficient distance from one another so as to allow mounting cleansing means thereon, said cleansing means comprising at least one of the following: (i) a pair of brushing heads comprising bristle bundles arranged at the extremities of said carrying members; (ii) a dental floss a length of which is tautly stretched across said carrying members. 2. A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said pair of brushing heads comprises two brushing heads holding bristle arrangements angled in respect of one another, said pair of brushing heads being connected to said handle by means of curved neck portions of said carrying members, and wherein the free ends of the bristles of one brushing head are extending convergingly with the free ends of the other brushing head or proximate to such convergence. 3. A toothbrush as in claim 2, wherein the angle between said brushing heads ranges between 120° and 60°. 4. A toothbrush as in claim 3, wherein said angle is in the vicinity of 90°. 5. A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said pair of carrying members comprises flexible neck portions allowing the user to resiliently temporarily bringing said carrying members closer toward each other through their press with the fingers. 6. A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said pair of brushing heads comprises two opposed facing small brushing heads holding small bristle arrangements for simultaneously brushing both sides of a tooth, said pair of brushing heads being connected to said handle by means of curved neck portions of said carrying members. 7. A toothbrush as in claim 6, wherein said opposed facing small brushing heads being spaced at sufficient distance from one another, so that said distance substantially matches the typical width of a tooth. 8. A toothbrush as in claim 6, wherein said small brushing heads are slightly inclined in respect of one another in a predetermined angle. 9. A toothbrush as in claim 8, wherein said predetermined angle ranges between 180° and 160°. 10. A toothbrush as in claim 9, wherein said predetermined angle is in the vicinity of 170°. 11. A toothbrush as in claim 6, wherein said small brushing heads are removably connected to said carrying members by adequate connection means allowing removal and discard of said small brushing heads. 12. A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal grip portion comprises a protrusion mounted thereon, about which said dental floss may be wrapped and secured, and said carrying members comprise at their tips large openings through which said floss may be passed and tautly stretched. 13. A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said carrying members comprise two types of said cleansing means spaced apart one above the other so that a first type of said cleansing means is disposed at upper extremities of said carrying members and a second type of said cleansing means is disposed at lower extremities of said carrying members, correspondingly. 14. A toothbrush as in claim 13, wherein said cleansing means carrying members comprise each a head portion connected to said handle by a neck portion, said head portions comprise a leg curving downward from said neck portion, one type of said cleansing means is disposed at the lower extremities of both of said legs and another type of said cleansing means is disposed at the area of connection between said neck portions and said head portion, respectively. 15. A toothbrush as in claim 13, wherein said first type of cleansing means comprises a disposable dental floss a length of which is tautly stretched across said carrying members, and said second type of cleansing means comprises two opposed facing small brushing heads holding small bristle arrangements for simultaneously brushing both sides of a tooth, said opposed facing small brushing heads being spaced at sufficient distance from one another at a distance substantially matching the typical width of a tooth. 16. A toothbrush comprising a lateral sheath inwhich an oral hygiene implement, such as a toothpick may be removably sheathed. 17. A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal grip portion comprises a battery powered electric motor to impart vibrating motion. 18. A toothbrush as in claim 1, wherein said longitudinal grip portion comprises a battery powered electric motor to impart motion of tufts of said bristle bundles. 19. A toothbrush substantially comprising any and all features of novelty as described, referred to, exemplified, illustrated or shown, hereinabove or in the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: STERN MIRI MINA, STERN, MIRI, MINA
Applicants: STERN MIRI MINA, STERN, MIRI, MINA
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A46B9
IPC codes: A46B9, A46B15, A61C15