Patent Publication Number: US-7900309-B2

Title: Powered toothbrush

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 10/066,459, filed Jan. 31, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to toothbrushes, and, more particularly, to a powered toothbrush having a head with a plurality of movably mounted bristle sections. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Various types of powered toothbrushes are generally known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916 discloses an electrically driven toothbrush having a motor drive for rotating a drive shaft. The drive shaft connects to a bristle holder on the head of the toothbrush in such a manner that rotation of the drive shaft causes the bristle holder to rotationally oscillate back and forth. Various other arrangements are known for oscillating a bristle holder mounted to the head of an electric toothbrush. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,942 shows a further type of powered toothbrush wherein the head includes a pair of concentrically arranged sections, each of which is driven in a rotationally oscillating manner in opposite directions. The toothbrush head includes the two counter-oscillating sections, but does not include any other sections onto which bristles may be mounted. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,313 discloses a household appliance such as a toothbrush that may be used for cleaning, polishing, or massaging. The head of the appliance includes a plurality of co-axially rotatable or parallel linearly-movable sections, but fails to provide other bristle-containing sections. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,567 discloses an electrically-driven toothbrush that includes a rotatable brush head having bristles thereon. A further group of bristles, each of which rotates around its own axis, reside adjacent to the brush head. U.S. Pat. No. 1,796,641 relates to a spotting brush for dry-cleaning that includes a pair of rotatably mounted side-by-side heads. 
     None of the powered toothbrushes of the related art includes two separate, movable bristle sections or tuft blocks. Thus, there is a need in the art for a powered toothbrush having more than one movable bristle section or tuft block to enhance the cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a general object of the present invention to provide a powered toothbrush which avoids the aforementioned deficiencies of the known prior art. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a powered toothbrush which enhances the cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush head. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a powered toothbrush which includes two separate, movable bristle sections or tuft blocks. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a powered toothbrush which includes a rotationally oscillating section and a linearly oscillating section both of which have bristles for delivery of a cleaning, polishing, and whitening action. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a powered toothbrush which is similar in appearance to a manual toothbrush. 
     Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves the problems of the related art by providing a powered toothbrush which includes a rotationally oscillating section, a linearly oscillating section, and, optionally, a stationary section, all of which have bristles for delivery of a cleaning, polishing, whitening action in addition to enhancing the cleaning efficiency of a typical powered toothbrush. 
     As embodied and described herein, the present invention is broadly drawn to a powered toothbrush having a handle with a neck, and a head removably connected to the neck and having an exposed outer surface. A first tuft block is mounted to the head and includes a first array of bristles extending outwardly from the exposed outer surface of the head. A first drive member is operatively connected to the first tuft block for moving the first tuft block about an axis generally perpendicular to the exposed outer surface. A second tuft block is mounted to the head and includes a second array of bristles extending outwardly from the exposed outer surface of the head. A second drive member is operatively connected to the second tuft block for moving the second tuft block in a direction generally perpendicular to the exposed outer surface of the head. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the second tuft block oscillates back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head or in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head. In yet an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the second tuft block is capable of oscillating in and out in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the toothbrush head to form a vibrating section. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, a third stationary tuft block having a third array of bristles may be provided below the second tuft block towards the handle of the toothbrush. The second and third tuft blocks are preferably mounted longitudinally in alignment with the first tuft block so that the portion of the head containing the first, second and third array of bristles of respectively the first, second, and third tuft blocks is of an elongated shape which facilitates holding toothpaste on the bristles, and appear visually to be shaped like a conventional manual toothbrush. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. It, is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a powered toothbrush head in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the powered toothbrush head shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a section of the powered toothbrush head shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the powered toothbrush head shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the powered toothbrush head shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  and showing the second tuft block and the second array of bristles extending therefrom in a first rest position; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the powered toothbrush head shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2  and showing the second tuft block and the second array of bristles extending therefrom in a second flexed position; and 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of another preferred embodiment of a powered toothbrush head in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
       FIGS. 1-6  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a powered toothbrush  10  includes a neck section  12  of a handle  30 , and a head  14  at one end of the neck section  12 . Head  14  may be a refill head and thus be removably connected to the neck section  12 , or head  14  may be permanently connected to the neck section  12  and still be in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     As illustrated, particularly in  FIGS. 1-3 , head  14  includes a first tuft block  16  which is illustrated as being at the outermost or distal portion of head  14 . First tuft block  16  is preferably in the general form of having a disk of circular ring-type shape, and oscillates in a rotational manner as indicated by arrow  17  in  FIG. 2 . Although a circular ring-type shape for the first tuft block  16  has been shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , other shapes, such as oval or various regular or irregular shapes, could be envisioned and still be in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, first tuft block  16  includes an inner area  18  which may include further bristles, or may include a second inner counter-oscillating tuft block, as disclosed in application Ser. No. 10/107,092, filed Mar. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,552,497, assigned to the assignee of the present application, Colgate-Palmolive Co., the disclosure of which being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. A circular shape for first tuft block  16  is preferred since it requires the least amount of clearance to accommodate the oscillating motion and to potentially accommodate an inner counter-oscillating tuft block. 
     A first array of bristles  22  extends outwardly from the first tuft block  16 . This first array of bristles  22  includes a first plurality of tufts or bristles  22   a , arranged, in the illustrated embodiment, in a substantially circular arrangement. Similarly, the first array of bristles  22  includes a second plurality of tufts of bristles  22   b  provided in an inner area  18  of the first tuft block  16  which are also in a generally circular arrangement with each other along a generally circular path concentric with a first plurality of tufts or bristles  22   a.    
     The arrangement of the two concentric sets of bristles is preferred since such arrangement maximizes use of the surface area of first tuft block  16 . In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer circular arrangement of bristles  22   a  extend outwardly from the outer surface  26  of head  14  by a greater distance than the inner circular arrangement of bristles  22   b , as best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As a result, a cup-like structure is formed which facilitates retaining toothpaste on the bristles  22   a ,  22   b.    
     A characteristic of the toothbrush head of the present invention is the inclusion of a movable second tuft block  38  which is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as being between neck  12  and first tuft block  16 . It is to be understood, however, that second tuft block  38  could be located distally from, or laterally side-by-side to first tuft block  16 . It is preferred, however, that second tuft block  38  be positioned toward the neck  12  of the toothbrush head (longitudinally outside of tuft block  16 ) so as to create a toothbrush head having a greater surface area. 
     The provision of second tuft block  38  is also advantageous in that powered toothbrush  10  simulates, in the appearance of head  14 , the structure of a manual toothbrush. As a result, the powered toothbrush  10  of the present invention is more acceptable to users since the appearance is more familiar to the user. In addition, the pair of tuft blocks  16 ,  38  enhances the efficiency of toothbrush  10 , both as a result of the movement of tuft blocks  16 ,  38 , and of the ability to readily retain toothpaste thereon. 
     As illustrated, second tuft block  38  is provided in an opening  45  formed in a body portion  48  of head  14 , wherein opening  45  is slightly larger than second tuft block  38  to accommodate movement of second tuft block  38  therein, such as oscillating movement of the second tuft block  38 . Second tuft block  38  also includes a second array of bristles  40  which extend outwardly from an outer surface  39  thereof. Outer surface  39  of second tuft block  38 , outer surface  26  of the body  48  of the head, and an outer surface  15  of first tuft block  16  are preferably coplanar with each other so that the outer surface of the entire head  14  is in a single contiguous plane. The invention, however, could be practiced where some or all of the tuft blocks extend outwardly by a different distance or by a difference angle than other tuft blocks to result in a stepped effect for the outer surface of the head  14 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment as best shown in  FIG. 3 , the second array of bristles  40  extends outwardly from outer surface  26  of head  14  by approximately the same distance as the first array of bristles  22  so as to create a generally flat surface for receiving the toothpaste. Alternatively, however, some bristles may be shorter or at a different angle than the other bristles. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a third tuft block  62  may be fixedly attached to head  14  at a location above neck  12 , but below second tuft block  38  (see  FIG. 7 ). Third tuft block  62  includes a third array of bristles  64  extending outwardly therefrom by a distance equal to or different than the distance bristles  22 ,  40  extend outwardly from outer surface  26  of head  14 . It is to be understood, however, that third tuft block  62  could be located distally from, or laterally side-by-side to first tuft block  16  or second tuft block  38 . It is preferred, however, that third tuft block  62  be positioned closer to the neck section than the second tuft block  38  (longitudinally outside of second tuft block  38 ) so as to expand the surface area of the head  14  having bristles. 
     The provision of third tuft block  62  is also advantageous in that the head  14  of the powered toothbrush  10  simulates the structure of a manual toothbrush. As a result, the powered toothbrush  10  so formed is more acceptable to users since the appearance is more familiar. In addition, by employing three tuft blocks  16 ,  38 ,  62 , the efficiency of toothbrush  10  is even further enhanced, both as a result of the movement of tuft blocks  16 ,  38 ,  62 , and of the ability to readily retain toothpaste. 
     While  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate conventional fiber form bristles, the term “bristles” as used herein is intended to be used in a generic sense as cleaning elements or massage elements and could include, for example, elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross-section shape or any type of desired shape, including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. 
     The bristles could be mounted to the tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft blocks. If desired, the bristles could be embedded in an elastomeric material which would permit the bristles to have an independent motion in addition to the motion imparted by the oscillating tuft blocks  16 ,  38 , instead of being fixed bristles. Such various forms of bristles may thus be used for the bristles used in any section of head  14 . 
     It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the bristles is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can, however, be practiced with various combinations of the same or different bristle configurations (such as stapled, in-mold tufting (IMT) technology as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,609,890, 5,390,984, and 5,533,791, the disclosures of which being incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, etc.) and/or with the same or different bristle materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate the bristles to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface of head  14 , some or all of the bristles may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of the bristle head. It is thereby possible to select the combination of bristle configurations, bristle materials and bristle orientations to achieve specific intended results, such as to create as much movement from the oscillating tuft heads to deliver additional oral health benefits like enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums. 
     It is to be understood that the invention can be practiced by locating tufts of bristles in any otherwise open area of the toothbrush head. Such tufts of bristles could be fixed bristles perpendicularly mounted or mounted at an angle to the exposed outer surface  26  of the head  14  or could be bristles mounted on an elastomeric base so as to be independently movable when pressure is applied. Such bristles in their normal condition could be either perpendicular or at an angle to the exposed outer surface of the toothbrush head. 
     The invention may also be practiced where different sets of bristles have different colors. Thus, for example, the arcuate row of bristles  22   a  could have a white color while the inner generally circular pattern of bristles  22   b  of the first array of bristles  22  could have a blue color. The arcuate row of bristles  40  at the portion of second tuft block  38  adjacent to neck  12  and the tuft of bristles within that arcuate row could also be of a blue color, while an inner patterned row of bristles  40  in the middle portion of second tuft block  38  could be of a white color. The final bristles  40  adjacent to the rotationally oscillating bristles  22 ,  24  could be of a green color. It is to be understood that the above description of specific color combinations is simply for exemplary purposes and any combination of colors including only one color could be used. 
     Tuft blocks  16  and  38  may be oscillated by any suitable drive mechanism.  FIG. 3 , for example, illustrates the type of drive mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916, the disclosure of which being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety except where inconsistent with the express teachings of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a drive shaft  28  is rotated by a driving motor (not shown) in the handle  30 . The driving motor may be powered in any suitable manner such as with batteries. A transmission spindle  32  is operatively connected, such as by a permanent or detachable connection, to drive shaft  28 . Transmission spindle  32  has two projections oriented eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation of drive shaft  28 . A first projection  36  acts as a cam surface and engages an axial slot  37  formed in first tuft block  16 . A second projection  34  also acts as a cam surface and engages an axial slot  35  formed in a second tuft block  38 . Rotation of drive shaft  28  and transmission spindle  32  results in rotation of projections  34 ,  36 . Because the eccentric portions of projections  34 ,  36  are mounted in slots  35 ,  37  of tuft blocks  16 ,  38 , respectively, the rotational movement is transmitted to tuft blocks  16 ,  38  as an oscillating rotational movement to first tuft block  16 , as shown by arrow  17  in  FIG. 2 , and as a side-to-side oscillating movement to second tuft block  38 , as shown by arrows  46  in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, tuft blocks  16 ,  38  could be driven by separate drive mechanisms having, for example, separate shafts. Such separate drive mechanisms are not preferred since it would require additional components and space requirements. 
     Second tuft block  38  may be a fixed section either having fixed bristles or bristles which can move independently of each other as a result of being mounted on an elastomeric base. Preferably, however, second tuft block  38  moves or oscillates. Second tuft block  38  preferably moves in and out in a direction generally perpendicular to the outer surface  26  of head  14 , resulting in a vibrating section. The resulting in and out motion is indicated by arrow  42  in  FIG. 3 . Any suitable drive mechanism may be used to accomplish this in and out vibrating motion such as the type of drive member described in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 35,941, the disclosure of which being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety except where inconsistent with the express teachings of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate how a combination of in- and-out motion  42  and side-to-side oscillating motion  46  may be accomplished with the second array of bristles  40  of the second tuft block  38  of the toothbrush  10  of the present invention. As shown, second tuft block  38  has a plurality of notches, such as  50   a ,  50   b  and  50   c , formed therein, with notch  50   b  provided at a substantially central portion of second tuft block  38  having a relatively larger gap than the side notches  50   a  and  50   c . Second tuft block  38  also includes recessed undercut portions  52  that receive and connect with beveled clip arms  53  of head  14 . In one preferred embodiment, a drive mechanism includes a cam lobe  54  mounted onto an eccentric cam  56  provided on a transmission spindle (not shown, but similar or identical to spindle  32 ). Both cam lobe  54  and eccentric cam  56  are contained in a yolk  58  of a substantially inverted U-shape lying substantially adjacent to or abutting a lower central surface  61  of second tuft block  38 . Preferably, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , yolk  58  lies substantially directly below the central notch  50  formed in second tuft block  38 . 
     As eccentric cam  56  rotates from its first position shown in  FIG. 5  to its second position shown in  FIG. 6 , cam lobe  54  forces yolk  58  and second tuft block  38  upwards, as shown by arrows  60 . The force applied by cam lobe  54  flexes central notch  50   b  wider and flexes the other notches  50   a  and  c  (notches lying on either side of central notch  50 ) to a closed position. As further shown in  FIG. 6 , bristles  40  are also forced laterally outwardly, as shown by arrows  46  in  FIG. 6 . 
     Other forms of movement of second tuft block  38  could be as indicated by arrow  44  in  FIG. 2  where the movement is parallel to the longitudinal axis of head  14 . Preferably, however, second tuft block  38  moves perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of head  14 , as indicated by arrows  46 , and in- and-out as indicated by arrows  42 , as described in detail above. 
     Thus, the present invention includes a first tuft block  16  mounted for rotational oscillation in a plane generally parallel to the outer surface of head  14 , and a second tuft block  38  having fixed bristles or bristles independently movable by being mounted on an elastomeric base second tuft block  38  preferably moves laterally, transversely, or in and out. A third stationary tuft block  62  may optionally be provided below second tuft block  38  toward the neck portion  12  of the toothbrush  10 . The bristles of tuft blocks  16 ,  38 ,  62  may be of any of the constructions previously described, may be of various lengths, colors and stiffness, and may be mounted perpendicularly to or at an angle to the outer surface of head  14 . For instance, at least some of the bristles of any or all of the tuft blocks  16 ,  38 ,  62  can be natural bristles, that is, bristles made from animal hair. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the powered toothbrush of the present invention and in construction of the toothbrush without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, examples of which have been previously provided. 
     Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.