Abstract:
A brush bristle is disclosed having one or more raised annular portions along its shaft. The bristle is intended for use in toothbrushes where the raised annular portions provide increased scraping and cleaning actions. This bristle may be used with other types of bristle in various configurations. The bristle may also be formed into a loop when mounted in toothbrushes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to a toothbrush. Specifically, this invention relates to a toothbrush modified such that some, or all, of the bristles include raised annular portions for assisting the clean the users teeth.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Brushing our teeth, such a commonplace activity today, has been around for a long time. Egyptians were already concerned about their dental hygiene. We discovered that tombs from 3000 years before Christ contained small tree branches whose ends had been frayed into soft fibers. The true ancestor of our toothbrush was invented by the Chinese in the 15 th  century and brought back to Europe by travelers. The toothbrush was made of hairs from the neck of a Siberian wild boar which were fixed to a bamboo or bone handle. At the time, very few people in the Western world brushed their teeth, and those who did preferred horse hairs, which were softer than those of the wild boar. In Europe, it was more customary after meals to use a goose feather toothpick, or one made of silver or copper.  
         [0003]     French dentists promoted the European use of a toothbrush in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The first toothbrush mass-produced was made by William Addis of Clerkenwald, England. Addis, and later, his descendants, manufactured the finest English brushes, where the handles were carved out of the bone of cattle and the heads of the natural bristles were obtained from the necks and shoulders of swine, especially from pigs living in colder climates like Siberia and China.  
         [0004]     The first American to patent a toothbrush was H. N. Wadsworth in 1857. Companies began to mass-produce toothbrushes in America around 1885. The Pro-phy-lac-tic brush made by the Florence Manufacturing Company of Massachusetts is a good example of an early American made toothbrush. The same company was also the first to sell toothbrushes packages in boxes.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0005]     In 1937, in Du Pont de Nemours laboratories, nylon was invented by Wallace H. Carothers. In 1938, this material became the symbol of modernism and prosperity through the commercialization of nylon stockings and of Dr. West&#39;s Miracle Toothbrush with nylon bristles. Later, Americans were influenced by the disciplined hygiene habits of soldiers from World War II. They became increasingly concerned with the practice of good oral hygiene and quickly adopted the nylon toothbrush. At first, even if there were many advantages to using this new toothbrush, consumers were not entirely satisfied. The nylon bristles were too stiff and hurt the gums. In 1950, Du Pont improved their toothbrush by giving it softer bristles.  
         [0006]     Today the various types and colors of toothbrushes on the market are almost endless. The ways in which toothbrushes are frequently varied include: the handle shape and material; the arrangement of the bristles, the bristle materials, and the shape of the bristles themselves; and added features such as gum massagers or floss holders. With regard to the bristles, by far the most common variation in shape in bristles has to do with changing the cross-section perpendicular to the long dimension of the bristles.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,156 by J. H. France is a very early example of changing the bristle shape. It does not, however, change only the contour of a bristle but rather splits the free end of the bristle into several smaller shafts, which are denoted in the patent as flags. The specification states that the benefit of these flags are an additional wiping action produced during the brushing process. The materials cited for this type of bristle is generally synthetic fibers commonly used to make such bristles. The bristles in the France patent may be mixed in with typical bristles or all the bristles may have the frayed ends as claimed in the France patent. Embodiments are also described wherein the bristles with the frayed end are longer than the more typical bristles in the mix which are shorter and more stiff. Thus, the frayed bristles flex until the stiffer bristles make contact with the brushed surface. This is said to lead to an improved toothbrush.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,381 by J. E. Hanson etches the surface of bristles by subjecting them to steam in a steam tube. The etching produces ridges predominantly transverse to the length of the bristle, and this is intended to create a more abrasive bristle for better cleaning of the teeth. The pattern of ridges created on the bristles is essentially random and the height of the ridges range from 0.2 mil to 0.5 mil.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,794 by Pomeroy is directed to modified ends on toothbrush bristles. Pomeroy forms shovel-like elements or spatula-like elements on the end of the bristle with the intent that these elements provide a scraping action or function, while the teeth are being brushed. These elements occur only at the end of Pomeroy, whereas the rest of the bristle maintains an essentially circular cross section. The shovel elements provide an edge transverse to the axis of the bristles, and it is this edge that is intended to provide the scraping action.  
         [0010]     Somewhat similar to the invention by Pomeroy where spatula or shovel-like elements are formed at the end of the bristles, are the patents by Gueret, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,927,281 and 5,020,551. The Gueret bristles, however, are directed to a different field, namely, the application of cosmetics or mascara. However, the similarity is that the ends of the bristles are treated to form particular cross-sections with the intent of improving their functionality in their application. Gueret also uses bristles of various cross-sections that are constant along the length. These cross sections include crosses and clover leafs, among others. The bristle ends are treated by grinding or other means to reshape the ends to improve on the application of cosmetics.  
         [0011]     There are a great many patents in the art which focus on the cross section of the brush bristle. However, these have a constant cross section bristle. The entire length of these bristles do not vary in their cross sectional area at different points of the bristle. Thus, these bristles may provide additional abrasion when a bent bristle shaft is move laterally across a dental surface, but not when the bent bristle is moved along the length of the bristle shaft.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The most typical toothbrush bristle has a straight shaft and is made of a synthetic material. When in use, the bristles on the toothbrush are by necessity bent when compressed against dental surfaces. The result is that much of the contact between the bristle and a dental surface during the stroke of a toothbrush is between the shafts of the bristles and the dental surface. The straight shaft of a typical bristle has low abrasive characteristics. The end of the bristle has greater scraping capability, but its ability to clean is affected by whether the bristle is being pulled away from the direction it is bent or pushed toward the direction it is bent. If a bristle is pulled away from the direction it is bent while in contact with a dental surface, the end has less ability to engage the dental surface. If the bristle is pushed toward the direction in which it is bent, the end can provide a scraping action on the surface and work to clean it. At any given time only a portion of bristles will be pushed in the direction they are bent and these may actually change their orientation as the toothbrush is moved.  
         [0013]     The present invention addresses the lack of abrasiveness of bristle shafts by providing raised annular portions on the shaft of the bristle. The raised annular portions are then in contact with the dental surface when the bristle is bent and provide an enhanced scraping action. The bristle shaft may have one raised annular portion or more than one. The shapes of the raised annular portions may also vary. Possible cross sections of these annular portions include disk, spherical, and triangular. In an alternative embodiment, the raised annular portion may be a continuous helical ridge along the entire length of the bristle. A similar embodiment has multiple helical ridges.  
         [0014]     As discussed above, the method and device of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in prior art methods and devices. In the respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0015]     Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this invention is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0016]     Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     Additional utility and features of the invention will become more fully apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings, which illustrate the primary features of the preferred embodiment and numerous alternative embodiments.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the bristle of the present invention having disk shaped raised annular portions according to the preferred embodiment.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a toothbrush with bristles of the common prior art bent in contact with a dental surface.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows both a bristle of the present invention and a prior art bristle bent in contact with a dental surface.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a toothbrush having bristles of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a bristle of the present invention having multiple disk shaped raised annular portions.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a bristle of the present invention having a spherical raised annular portion.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a bristle of the present invention having multiple spherical raised annular portions.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a bristle of the present invention having a ridged raised annular portion.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a bristle of the present invention having multiple ridged raised annular portions.  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  shows a bristle of the present invention having helical ridge running the length of the bristle.  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a toothbrush having a band of bristles of the present invention surrounding bristles of common prior art.  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  shows a toothbrush having a band of common prior art bristles surrounding bristles of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  shows a toothbrush having areas of bristles of the present invention arranged in alternating areas with common prior art bristles wherein the bristles of the present invention are shorter.  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  shows a toothbrush having bristles of the present invention intermixed with common prior art bristles wherein the bristles of the present invention are longer.  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  shows a toothbrush having longer prior art bristles at either end of its bristled area and a mixture of bristles of the present invention and common prior art bristles wherein the bristles of the present invention are longer than the common prior art bristles in the mixture.  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  shows a toothbrush having bristles of the present invention with those bristles being formed into loops.  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  shows a toothbrush with looped bristles of the present invention having common prior art bristles fixed between rows of the loops. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0035]     The detailed description below is for preferred embodiments and is intended to explain the current invention. It is to be understood that a variety of other arrangements are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Where appropriate, the same numbers may be used in different illustrations.  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  shows the bristle of the present invention, indicated generally by  10 . The bristle  10  has a shaft  15  with a raised annular portion  20 . The raised annular portion  20  is located intermediate the free end  25  and the fixed end  30  of the shaft  15 . The raised annular portion  20  may have a range of diameters and the specific profile has a large number of possible profiles as well.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows a toothbrush  35  having bristles  40  which are consistent with the prior art. The toothbrush  35  is shown in use with the bristles  40  brushing a dental surface  45 . The bristles  40  are bent as would be expected and the shafts of the bristles  40  are contacting the dental surface  45 . The ends of the bristles have greater scraping ability than the shafts, but depending on which direction the brush  35  is moved from the shown position, the ends may not engage the dental surface. Even if the brush  35  is move in the direction that the bristles  40  are pointed the bristles  40  may reorient themselves to align with the change in direction of the pressure.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows a bristle  10  of the instant invention and a bristle  40  consistent with the current prior art. Both are in flexed contact with dental surface  45 . Whereas the end  50  of the bristle  40  of the current prior art may or may not engage dental surface  45 , the raised annular portion  20  of the bristle  10  of the current invention will remain engaged with dental surface  45  regardless of which direction it is moved. This ensures more abrasive brushing of dental surfaces.  FIG. 4  shows a toothbrush  35  having all bristles  10  of the current invention.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 5 through 10  show alternative embodiments of bristle  10  of the current invention. In  FIG. 1 , raised annular portion  20  has a disk-like shape.  FIG. 5  shows a bristle  10  having three raised annular portions  20  with a similar disk-like shape.  FIG. 6  shows a bristle  10  having a raised annular portion  20  with a spherical shape, while  FIG. 7  shows a bristle  10  having three such spherical raised annular portions  20 . Similarly,  FIGS. 8 and 9  show bristle  10  with a single raised annular portion and three raised annular portions, respectively, wherein the raised annular portions have a triangular profile from the shaft  15  to the outer end of raised annular portion  20 .  FIG. 10  shows bristle  10  having a continuous helical ridge  20  running the length of shaft  15 . This helical ridge  20  has a profile similar to that of raised annular portion  20  of  FIG. 8 . The embodiments with multiple raised annular portions provide additional cleans edges when bristle  10  is flexed, particularly when applied at a corner.  
         [0040]     In  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a toothbrush is shown having a typical rectangular brush area, but comprising bristles  10  of the present invention and bristles  40  of the prior art. In  FIG. 11 , the rectangular brush area has a band of bristles  10  of the present invention defining the perimeter of the brush area while the interior of the brush area is comprised of bristles  40  of the prior art. Conversely,  FIG. 12  shows the rectangular brush area with a band of bristles  40  of the prior art defining the perimeter of the brush area, while the interior of the brush area comprises bristles  10  of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 14 and 15  further illustrate alternative embodiments of toothbrush  35  utilizing bristles  10  of the present invention in combination with bristles  40  of the prior art.  FIG. 14  shows alternating bands of the two types of bristles wherein the bristles  10  of the present invention are shorter than the bristles  40  of the prior art. The relative lengths of the bristles could be reversed in another embodiment or the two types of bristles could be of the same length.  FIG. 14  shows an embodiment of toothbrush  35  where the two types of bristles are intermixed. In  FIG. 14 , the bristles  10  of the present invention are longer than the bristles  40  of the prior art. However, the relative lengths of the two types of bristles could be reversed or of the same length.  
         [0042]     In  FIG. 15 , a toothbrush with bristles  10  of the present invention and bristle  40  of the prior art is shown in use on dental surfaces. This embodiment, having a typical rectangular brush area, has bristles of three different lengths with two of those lengths allotted to bristles  40  of the prior art. In the central brush area, a mixture of bristles  10  of the current invention and bristles  40  of the prior art are intermixed with bristles  10  of the current invention being longer, so that raised annular portions  20  contact the dental surface  45 , while ends  50  of bristles  40  of the prior art contact dental surface  45 . On each end or the brush area are longer bristles  55  which are bristles consistent with the prior art but longer than those intermixed in the central area of the brush area. These bristles would function to reach deeper into spaces between dental surfaces  45 .  
         [0043]     In addition to applying the bristles of the present invention in such a manner where one end is anchored in a toothbrush and the other end remains free, loops may be formed from the bristles by anchoring both ends. This is illustrated in  FIG. 16 , where loops  60  are formed by anchoring both ends of bristles  10  into toothbrush  35 . It is preferred in this, and similar embodiments, that loops  60  be formed from bristles  10  shown in  FIGS. 7, 9 , and  10 . Loops  60  have several raised annular portions  20  on them and provide several scraping surfaces per loop  60 . Several rows of loops may be used to approximate the typical brush area of a toothbrush of the prior art.  
         [0044]     In addition to a toothbrush having only loops formed from bristles, loops and bristles may be intermixed. This embodiment is shown in  FIG. 17  where toothbrush  35  has clusters of bristles  40  of the prior art alternating with rows of loops  60 . Other embodiments may use bristles made according to the present invention intermixed with bristles of the prior art in varying ratios of length as well. In addition to separate loops formed from individual bristles  10 , a row of loops  60  could be made by coiling a single long bristle so that each round of the coil would be like a single loop  60 .  
         [0045]     Having provided detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment, it should be noted that there are several means to vary the specific sizing and spacing but still accomplish the construction of the invention. It should be obvious from this that there are numerous embodiments subsumed in the present invention and the scope of this invention should not be limited by the discussion of the preferred embodiment above.