Patent Publication Number: US-2023136567-A1

Title: Pet toothbrush

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application Serial No. 63/263,164, filed Oct. 28, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to toothbrushes, and more particularly toothbrushes that comprise nanofibers, to support the oral hygiene of pets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The oral hygiene of pets remains an on-going issue for development. Efforts include the use of non-edible or edible type chews that are designed to provide some level of abrasion to the teeth to remove plaque and improve the health of the gums. Other efforts have simply relied upon the use of human toothbrushes, along with a toothpaste composition that is relatively appealing to the animal. Accordingly, a need remains to improve the oral hygiene of pets via the design and use of a pet toothbrush that is particularly suitable for the dental requirements of an animal, and in particular domestic pets, such as dogs or cats. 
     SUMMARY 
     A toothbrush comprising a brush head having a plurality of nano-bristles; wherein the plurality of nano-bristles each have a length, and a diameter of at least a portion of the length is in a range of 50 microns to 150 microns. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles are each infused or coated with an additive to reduce plaque and/or bacteria. 
     In at least one embodiment, the additive of each nano-bristle of the plurality of nano-bristles is present at a level of 0.1 % by weight to 10.0 % by weight of each of the nano-bristles of the plurality of nano-bristles, respectively. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles are each infused or coated with at least one of sodium hexametaphosphate, ascorbic acid, and beta glucan. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles are each infused or coated with chitosan. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles are in a range of 5,000 to 15,000 nano-bristles. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles have a length of less than or equal to 1.5 cm. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles define an outer perimeter region and an inner region surrounded by the outer perimeter region; and wherein the length of the nano-bristles of the outer perimeter region is shorter than the length than the nano-bristles of the inner region. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles define an outer perimeter region and an inner region surrounded by the outer perimeter region; and wherein the diameter of at least a portion of the length of the nano-bristles of the outer perimeter region is in a range of 100 microns to 150 microns; and wherein the diameter of at least a portion of the length of the nano-bristles of the inner region is in a range of 50 microns to less than 100 microns. 
     In at least one embodiment, the nano-bristles of the outer perimeter region form a complete loop around the nano-bristles of the inner region. 
     In at least one embodiment, the diameter of at least 25% of the length of the plurality of nano-bristles in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles are colored with a colorant which fades with use of the toothbrush; and wherein the colorant fades with a reduction in an antibacterial and/or an anti-fungal treatment provided by the nano-bristles. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles are formed of a polymeric composition. 
     In at least one embodiment, the polymeric composition comprises at least one of polyamide, polyethylene, poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyurethane. 
     In at least one embodiment, the brush head further comprises an abrasive surface having a plurality of protrusions of a side of the brush head opposite a side having the plurality of nano-bristles. 
     In at least one embodiment, the toothbrush comprises an elongated handle to hold the toothbrush; and wherein the elongated handle and the brush head are formed as a single-piece. 
     In at least one embodiment, the toothbrush is in the form of a finger-cap brush configured to be disposed on a finger of a user. 
     In at least one embodiment, the finger-cap brush comprises a finger cavity to configured to receive the finger of the user therein to hold the toothbrush. 
     In at least one embodiment, the plurality of nano-bristles extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the finger-cap brush. 
     A toothbrush comprising a brush head having a plurality of nano-bristles; wherein the nano-bristles have a base portion and a top portion; wherein the base portion of the nano-bristles have a diameter in a range of 400 microns to 500 microns; and wherein the top portion of the nano-bristles have a diameter in a range of 50 microns to 150 microns. 
     A toothbrush comprising a brush head including a plurality of nano-bristles projecting from the brush head, wherein the nano-bristles have a diameter in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns. Optionally, the nano-bristles are infused or coated with an additive that reduces plaque and/or bacteria. 
     A toothbrush comprising a brush head including a plurality of nano-bristles projecting from the brush head, wherein the nano-bristles have a base portion and a top portion, having a diameter in the range of 400 microns to 500 microns at the base portion and a diameter of 50 microns to 150 microns at the top portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description below may be better understood with reference to the accompanying figures which are provided for illustrative purposes and are not to be considered as limiting any aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective side view of an embodiment of a pet toothbrush having nano-bristles according to the present disclosure, with the toothbrush comprising an elongated handle; 
         FIG.  2    is a close-up perspective side view of a head portion of the pet toothbrush of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of another embodiment of a pet toothbrush having nano-bristles according to the present disclosure, with the toothbrush comprising a finger cap brush; 
         FIG.  4    is another side view of the pet toothbrush of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of an embodiment of an alternative bristle according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a top end view looking downwardly at nano-bristles of an embodiment of a pet toothbrush according to the present disclosure, illustrating the nano-bristles having different diameters; and 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-section of the bristles of  FIG.  6    taken along line  7 - 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It may be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments herein may be capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it may be appreciated that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG.  1    is a perspective side view of a configuration of a pet toothbrush  10  according to the present disclosure. As can be observed, the pet toothbrush  10  includes an elongated handle portion  12  and a head portion  14  joined to the handle portion (formed as a single piece), with bristles  16  extending from a head portion  14 . 
     In addition, as best shown in  FIG.  2   , preferably on a side of the head portion  14  opposite a side of the bristles  16 , the toothbrush  10  may preferably include an abrasive surface  22 . Such abrasive surface  22  preferably comprises a plurality of spaced-apart projections  24  having a height in a range of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm and a diameter in a range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm and spaced apart at a distance of 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm. More preferably, the height may be in a range of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, the diameter may be in a range of 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm and the projections may be spaced apart a distance of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm. 
     Although  FIGS.  1  and  2    show one configuration of the toothbrush  10  according to the present disclosure, it is contemplated that the toothbrush  10  herein may be in the form of a finger-cap brush configured to be disposed on and over a distal end of a finger of a human user. A shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , a consumer/user may insert a distal portion of their index (pointer) finger into a tubular finger cavity  42  of a hollow cup body  40 , comprising a tapering tube/tubular wall (similar to a thimble), to hold the toothbrush  10 . The bristles  16  may be attached to a distal end region of an upper/outer head portion  44  of the hollow cup body  40 , particularly by being disposed in and extending from an elongated recess  46 , which has a longitudinal length which extends substantially parallel (e.g. within 10 degrees of being parallel and inclusive of parallel) with a longitudinal axis L-L of the toothbrush  10 . As also show, a length of the bristles  16  extend substantially perpendicular (e.g. within 10 degrees of being perpendicular and inclusive of perpendicular) with a longitudinal axis L-L of the toothbrush  10 . The hollow cup body  40 , comprising the tapering tube/tubular wall, may have an outer diameter  50  in a range of 15 mm to 35 mm, and an inner (cavity) diameter  52  in a range of 10 mm to 32 mm. The hollow cup body  40  may have a longitudinal length  54  in a range of 20 mm to 75 mm. 
     For the various embodiments of pet toothbrushes  10  disclosed herein, the bristles  16  herein are preferably nano-bristles. More particularly, the bristles  16  have a diameter of at least a portion of their length, and more particularly the full working length, in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns, and more preferably 50 microns to 100 microns. As shown in  FIG.  5   , the bristles  16  may also preferably be tapered, meaning that the diameter D B  may begin at 400 microns to 500 microns at their base portion  19  where they are attached to the head  16  and then taper to a reduced diameter D T  at their top portion  21  where they are designed to come in contact with the teeth or gums of the pet. Accordingly, the nano-bristles  16  may therefore have a diameter of 400 microns to 500 microns at their base and then taper to a diameter in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns. 
     Preferably, the head portion includes 5,000 to 15,000 nano-bristles  16 , more preferably 8,000 to 12,000 nano-bristles  16 . In one particularly preferred embodiment, the head portion contains 9,500 to 10,500 nano-bristles  16 . The nano-bristles  16  may preferably be made from a polymeric material composition, such as nylon (polyamides), polyethylene, poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate), and/or polyurethane. 
     The nano-bristles  16  are preferably coated or infused with additives that are particularly useful for improving the oral hygiene of the animal and reducing plaque that harbors bacteria. For example, the nano-bristles  16  herein may preferably have a coating or be infused with 0.1 % by weight to 10.0 % by weight of an additive, such as sodium hexametaphosphate, ascorbic acid, or a beta glucan. The beta glucan may be extracted from a natural or genetically modified source, such as yeasts, mushrooms, or saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, it is contemplated herein that the nano-bristles  16  may be coated or infused with chitosan, which is reference to the polysaccharide composed mainly (at least 50% or more) of randomly distributed β-(1→4)-linked D-glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (acetylated unit). It is contemplated that the chitosan will be particularly effective to gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as activity to fungi. 
     Additionally, the nano-bristles  16  herein may optionally be colored. For example, when the nano-bristles  16  herein are preferably coated or impregnated with chitosan and a colorant, or sodium hexametaphosphate and a colorant, consumers/users will be alerted as to when the chitosan and/or sodium hexametaphosphate has been fully utilized, as the colorant fades or is completely eliminated follow brushing of a pet’s teeth or gums. The consumer/user is then aware that the antibacterial and/or anti-fungal treatment provided by the nano-bristles  16  is reduced or no longer present. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , such is a top end view looking downwardly at the nano-bristles  16  (of the pet toothbrush head  14  of  FIGS.  1 -  2    or  FIGS.  3 - 4   ) illustrating the use of nano-bristles  16  of different diameters. That is, the nano-bristles  16  may include an outer perimeter region  60  having a width of 1.0 to 6.0 mm, that includes nano-bristles  16  having a diameter in the range of 100 microns to 150 microns. The nano-bristles  16  may then preferably include an inner region  62  surrounded by the outer perimeter region  60  having a width of 8.0 to 13.0 mm, that includes nano-bristles  16  having a diameter in the range of 50 microns to less than 100 microns, and more preferably, 70 microns to 90 microns. As shown, the outer perimeter region  60  completely surrounds the inner region  62 , i.e. forms a complete 360 degree loop. 
     The nano-bristles  16  preferably have an exposed working length  18  (which extend/project from the surface  17  of a bristle mounting region  15  of the head  14 / 44 ) of 2. 0 cm or less, and more particularly 1.5 cm or less. More preferably, the nano-bristles  16  extend a distance of 0.5 cm to 1.3 cm. In addition, the nano-bristles  16  that are located in outer perimeter region  60  preferably have a height (exposed length  18 ) that is less than the height (exposed length  18 ) of the nano-bristles  16  that are located in the inner region  62 . For example, the height (exposed length  18 ) of the nano-bristles  16  located on the outer perimeter region  60  may be in the range of 0.8 cm to 1.1 cm and the height (exposed length  18 ) of the nano-bristles  16  located in the inner region  62  may be in the range of 1.1 cm to 1.2 cm, with the provision that with respect to such ranges, the height (exposed length  18 ) of the nano-bristles  16  located on the outer perimeter region  60  of the toothbrush  10  are less than the height (exposed length  18 ) of the nano-bristles  16  located on the inner  62  region. For example, as shown in  FIG.  7   , relatively shorter nano-bristles  16  may be present at region  60  in  FIG.  6   , which is on the outside of the nano-bristles  14  and relatively longer bristles in the inner region  22 . Also, for example, the nano-bristles  16  located in the outer perimeter region  60  may have a height (exposed length  18 ) which is in a range of 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, and more preferably 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, less than the height (exposed length  18 ) of the nano-bristles  16  located on the inner  62  region. 
     In certain embodiments, at least 25% of length  18  of the nano-bristles  16  have a diameter in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns, and more preferably 50 microns to 100 microns. In other embodiments, at least 50% of length  18  of the nano-bristles  16  have a diameter in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns, and more preferably 50 microns to 100 microns. In other embodiments, at least 75% of length  18  of the nano-bristles  16  have a diameter in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns, and more preferably 50 microns to 100 microns. In other embodiments, 100% of length  18  of the nano-bristles  16  have a diameter in the range of 50 microns to 150 microns, and more preferably 50 microns to 100 microns. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. Furthermore, it should be understood that the appended claims do not necessarily comprise the broadest scope of the invention which the Applicant is entitled to claim, or the only manner(s) in which the invention may be claimed, or that all recited features are necessary. 
     Listing of reference characters 
     
       
         
           
               
               
            
               
                 
                   10 
                 
                 pet toothbrush 
               
               
                 
                   12 
                 
                 handle portion 
               
               
                 
                   14 
                 
                 head portion 
               
               
                 
                   15 
                 
                 bristle mounting region 
               
               
                 
                   17 
                 
                 mounting surface 
               
               
                 
                   16 
                 
                 bristles 
               
               
                 
                   18 
                 
                 bristle length 
               
               
                 
                   19 
                 
                 base portion 
               
               
                 
                   21 
                 
                 top portion 
               
               
                 
                   22 
                 
                 abrasive surface 
               
               
                 
                   24 
                 
                 protrusions 
               
               
                 
                   40 
                 
                 cup body 
               
               
                 
                   42 
                 
                 finger cavity 
               
               
                 
                   44 
                 
                 upper/outer head portion 
               
               
                 
                   46 
                 
                 elongated recess 
               
               
                 
                   50 
                 
                 outer diameter 
               
               
                 
                   52 
                 
                 inner diameter 
               
               
                 
                   54 
                 
                 longitudinal length 
               
               
                 
                   60 
                 
                 outer perimeter region 
               
               
                 
                   62 
                 
                 inner region 
               
               
                 L 
                 longitudinal axis 
               
               
                 D B 
 
                 diameter base 
               
               
                 D T 
 
                 diameter top