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EP2912966B1 - Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements - Google Patents

Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2912966B1
EP2912966B1 EP15162039.0A EP15162039A EP2912966B1 EP 2912966 B1 EP2912966 B1 EP 2912966B1 EP 15162039 A EP15162039 A EP 15162039A EP 2912966 B1 EP2912966 B1 EP 2912966B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning element
head
cleaning
oral care
cone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP15162039.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2912966A1 (en
Inventor
Eduardo Jimenez
Michael Rooney
Robert Moskovich
Luca Casini
Jacob Pringiers
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Colgate Palmolive Co
Original Assignee
Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Colgate Palmolive Co filed Critical Colgate Palmolive Co
Publication of EP2912966A1 publication Critical patent/EP2912966A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2912966B1 publication Critical patent/EP2912966B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/04—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B15/00—Other brushes; Brushes with additional arrangements
    • A46B15/0002—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
    • A46B15/0016—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means
    • A46B15/0032—Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process with enhancing means with protrusion for polishing teeth
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/025—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups the bristles or the tufts being arranged in an angled position relative to each other
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/06—Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to ansate oral care implements, and specifically to toothbrushes, either manual or powered, that have a handle and a head having cleaning elements for oral cleaning.
  • a toothbrush is used to clean teeth by removing plaque and debris from the surfaces.
  • Conventional toothbrushes are provided with a flat bristle trim that limit their ability to conform to the curvature of the teeth, to penetrate into the interproximal areas between the teeth, to sweep away the plaque and debris, and to clean along the gum line. Additionally, such toothbrushes have a limited ability to retain dentifrice for cleaning the teeth.
  • the dentifrice typically slips through the tufts of bristles and away from the contact between the bristles and the teeth. As a result, the dentifrice often is spread around the mouth, rather than being concentrated on the contact of the bristles with the teeth. Therefore, the efficiency of the cleaning process is reduced.
  • An example of an early attempt to improve the cleaning elements of a toothbrush is disclosed in an existing oral care implement having two or three circular brush sections which are arranged within holders that may be screwed into mating receptacles in the tooth brush handle so that they can be removed and replaced as needed.
  • Each brush section contains stiff cleaning elements and is spaced from the other along the longitudinal axis of the handle at a distance less than the thickness of a tooth so that the brush operates on both the lingual (inside) and facial (outside) surfaces of the teeth.
  • a toothbrush with a head containing a flexible, rubber-like prophylaxis polishing cup or "prophy cup” similar to that used by dental personnel to professionally clean teeth.
  • This prophy cup is loaded with toothpaste by the user and applied to the teeth.
  • the "soft rubber-like prophy cup device follows the contours of teeth more effectively than bristles.”
  • a ring of cleaning elements (“bristle tufts") are placed about the periphery of the toothbrush head which co-act with the prophy cups to clean the user's teeth and gums.
  • elastomeric prophy cups and bristle tufts have become more common as a way of improving cleaning efficiency and maintaining the dentifrice in place during brushing.
  • One example of the combined use and strategic arrangement of elastomeric prophy cups and bristle tufts is a toothbrush having a head portion comprising a plurality of inner loops formed by elastomeric walls. The central inner loop is surrounded by an outer loops formed of bristles. A central cleaning element, formed as a bristle tuft, is located within the elastomeric inner loops.
  • a toothbrush having a head portion comprising a plurality of soft elastomer prophy cups surrounded by bristle rings.
  • a toothbrush is disclosed wherein the centralized prophy cups are formed by groups of densely packed cleaning elements that are surrounded by bristle rings.
  • the bristle rings in this embodiment are also disclosed as having one or more tufts at an inclination.
  • WO-A-02/45617 discloses a brush part for an electric toothbrush.
  • CH-A-215110 and US-A-1,901,230 each disclose a toothbrush.
  • US-A-2005/0273954 discloses a device and system with moving squeegee fields.
  • the present invention provides an oral care implement according to claim 1, comprising: a handle; a head connected to the handle, the head comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the second surface; a hollow cleaning element cone extending from the first surface of the head, the hollow cleaning element cone circumferentially surrounding an axis extending from the first surface of the head, wherein the hollow cleaning element cone extends from the first surface of the head so as to radially diverge from the axis; and a cleaning element wall extending from the first surface of the head , the cleaning element wall having an inner top edge and surrounding the hollow cleaning element cone; the hollow cleaning element cone terminating in a cleaning end and the cleaning element wall terminating in a top surface, the cleaning end of the hollow cleaning element cone extending beyond the top surface of the cleaning element wall, which includes that the inner top edge of the cleaning element wall abuts against the cleaning element cone.
  • an apparatus for incorporation into an ansate oral care implement comprising: a base having a first surface: a hollow cleaning element cone extending from the first surface of the head and arranged so as to circumferentially surround an axis extending from the first surface of the base, wherein the hollow cleaning element cone extends upward from the first surface of the head so as to diverge from the axis; and a cleaning element wall extending upward from the first surface of the head and circumferentially surrounding the hollow cleaning element cone.
  • an apparatus for incorporation into an ansate oral care implement comprising: a base having a first surface: a plurality of cleaning elements arranged on the first surface so as to form a ring about an axis extending from the first surface of the head, wherein each of the cleaning elements extends upward from the first surface of the head at an inclined orientation so as to diverge from the axis; and a cleaning element wall extending upward from the first surface of the head and surrounding the plurality of cleaning elements so as to form a substantially closed loop.
  • an apparatus for incorporation into an ansate oral care implement comprising: a base having a first surface: a plurality of cleaning elements arranged on the first surface so as to form a ring about an axis extending from the first surface of the base, wherein each of the cleaning elements extend upward from the first surface of the base at an inclined orientation so as to diverge from the axis.
  • the invention is discussed in terms of a manual toothbrush incorporating the novel arrangement of cleaning elements.
  • the invention could be in the form of other oral care implements including a soft-tissue cleansing implement, a powered toothbrush, or other ansate implement designed for oral care.
  • the invention can take the form of disc-like plates that incorporate the novel arrangement of cleaning elements for operable cooperation with a manual or powered oral care implement, such as a toothbrush or soft-tissue cleansing implement.
  • the toothbrush 100 generally comprises a handle 110 and a head 120.
  • the handle 110 provides the user with a mechanism by which he/she can readily grip and manipulate the toothbrush 100.
  • the handle 110 is generically illustrated and may be formed of many different shapes, sizes, materials and a variety of manufacturing methods that are well-known to those skilled in the art. If desired, the handle 110 may include a suitable textured grip (not shown) made of elastomeric material or can be a multipart construction. Stated simply, the details of the handle 110 are not limiting of the present invention and, thus, require no further discussion for purposes of the present invention.
  • the toothbrush 100 extends from a proximal end 112 to a distal end 113 along a longitudinal axis A-A (illustrated in FIG. 2 and as point A in FIG. 4 ).
  • the longitudinal axis A-A of the toothbrush 100 is considered to be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the head 120.
  • the head 120 is operably connected to a distal end of the handle 110.
  • the head 110 and handle 120 of the toothbrush are preferably formed as a single unitary structure using a molding, milling, machining or other suitable process.
  • the handle 110 and head 120 may be formed as separate components which are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art, including without limitation thermal welding, a tight-fit assembly, a coupling sleeve, adhesion, or fasteners. Whether the head 120 and handle 110 are of a unitary or multi-piece construction (including connection techniques) is not limiting of the present invention.
  • the head 120 generally comprises a front surface 121, a rear surface 122 and a peripheral surface 123.
  • the front surface 121 and the rear surface 122 of the head 120 can take on a wide variety of shapes and contours, none of which are limiting of the present invention.
  • the front and rear surfaces 121, 122 can be planar, contoured or combinations thereof.
  • the rear surface 122 may also comprise additional structures for oral cleaning, such as a soft tissue cleanser, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Patent 7,143,462, issued December 5, 2006 to the assignee of the present application.
  • the head 120 is normally widened relative to the neck 111 of the handle 110, it could in some constructions simply be a continuous extension or narrowing of the handle 110.
  • the front surface 121 comprises a collection of cleaning elements 130 extending therefrom for cleaning contact with an oral surface. While the collection of cleaning elements 130 is particularly suited for brushing teeth, the collection of cleaning elements 130 can be also be used to clean oral soft tissue, such as a tongue, gums, or cheeks instead of or in addition to teeth. As used herein, the term "cleaning element" is used in a generic sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean or massage an oral surface through relative surface contact.
  • cleaning elements include, without limitation, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, co-extruded filaments, flag bristles, crimped bristles, anti-bacterial bristles and combinations thereof and/or structures containing such materials or combinations.
  • the collection of cleaning elements 130 comprises a first set 131 of cleaning elements, a second set 132 of cleaning elements and a third set 138 of cleaning elements.
  • the third set 138 of cleaning elements generally comprise a prophylaxis polishing cup 133 (a prophy cup) and a conical arrangement 134 of elongated cleaning elements.
  • the conical arrangement 134 is located within and surrounded by the prophy cup 133.
  • the head 120 comprises a distal region 124, a middle region 125 and a proximal region 126.
  • the first set of cleaning elements 131a-j extend from the distal region 124 of the head 120.
  • the second set of cleaning elements 132a-j extend from the proximal region 126 of the head 120.
  • the third set of cleaning elements which consists of the prophy cup 133a-b, a plurality of angled cleaning elements 134a-f, and a central cleaning element 135, extend from the middle region 125 of the head.
  • the cleaning elements 131a-j, 132a-j of the first and second sets are tufts or arcuate walls of densely packed fibrous bristles.
  • one or more (or various subsets) of the cleaning elements 131a-j, 132a-j of the first and second sets can take on other forms, such as elastomeric walls or fingers.
  • the bristle tufts can be connected to the head 120 in any manner known in the art.
  • anchor free tufting AFT
  • AFT anchor free tufting
  • a plate or membrane is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding.
  • the bristles extend through the plate or membrane.
  • the free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function.
  • the ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored in place.
  • Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of this invention.
  • the bristles could be mounted to 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 block.
  • the particular arrangement and number of the cleaning elements 131a-j, 132a-j of the first and second sets within the distal and proximal regions 124,126 can vary greatly as desired, and should not be consider as a limitation of the present invention unless specifically recited in the claims.
  • the first and second sets of the cleaning elements 131a-j, 132a-j may be omitted all together or substantially altered. Nonetheless, a particularly useful and effective arrangement of the first and second sets of the cleaning elements 131a-j, 132a-j has been developed (discussed below in relation to FIGS.5-6 ) and is to be considered as part of the invention in certain embodiments.
  • the middle region 125 of the head comprises an arrangement of cleaning elements that is specifically designed to improve the efficacy of cleaning oral surfaces, retain dentifrice on the head 120 of the toothbrush during brushing and/or massaging, and distribute the dentifrice among the collection of cleaning elements on the head 120.
  • the middle region 125 comprises a prophy cup 133 (which is formed by arcuate cleaning element walls 133a - b , angled elongated cleaning elements 134a - f and central elongated cleaning element 135.
  • the cleaning element walls 133a-b are elastomeric walls while the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f, 135 are tufts of densely packed fibrous bristles.
  • the prophy cup 133 can be formed by densely packed walls of fibrous bristles and/or the elongated cleaning elements 134a - f can be elastomeric fingers.
  • Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus.
  • the elastomeric material preferably has a hardness property in the range of A5 to A40 Shore hardness, and most preferably A25 Shore hardness.
  • One preferred elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted hardness range could be used.
  • the cleaning elements 134a-f extend from the front surface 121 of the head in an angled (i.e., inclined) manner (relative to a general plane formed by the top surface 121 ).
  • the cleaning elements 134a-f are arranged in a spaced-apart manner that forms a ring that circumferentially surrounds an axis B - B .
  • the axis B - B extends from the front surface 121 of the head 120 in a direction away from the rear surface 122 of the head 120.
  • the axis B - B extends from the front surface 121 of the head 120 in a substantially normal orientation.
  • the axis B - B may be at an angle other than normal to the front surface 121.
  • Each of the cleaning elements 134a-f is inclined so as to radially diverge from the axis B - B at an angle ⁇ as it extends away from the front surface 121 of the head 120.
  • the angle ⁇ is in a range of 1 to 15 degrees, more preferably 3 to 5 degrees, and most preferably 4 degrees.
  • cleaning elements 134a-f radially diverge from the axis B - B at the same angle ⁇ in the illustrated embodiment, it is possible for the angles of radial divergence to vary among the cleaning elements 134a - f . Furthermore, while six cleaning elements 134a-f are illustrated as forming the hollow cone, any number of cleaning elements can be used in other embodiments.
  • the cleaning elements 134a-f collectively form a hollow cone structure (which in the illustrated embodiment is a truncated cone).
  • the term "cone” is not limited to a circular cross-section and is intended to include truncated cones.
  • the hollow cone structure formed by cleaning elements 134a-f forms a funnel-like internal cavity 136 for receiving a dentifrice.
  • the cleaning elements 134a-f are equidistantly circumferentially spaced from one another so that a space exists between adjacent cleaning elements 134a - f .
  • the hollow cone is formed by spaced apart cleaning elements, in alternative embodiments the hollow cone can be formed by an angled wall (or angled wall segments) formed by an elastomer or densely packed bristles.
  • the hollow cone formed by the cleaning elements 134a-f is concentrically arranged about the axis B - B and is congruent with the conical axis.
  • the elongated central cleaning element 135 extends from the front surface 121 of the head 120 along the axis B - B within the funnel-like cavity 136.
  • the central cleaning element 135 is preferably a tuft of densely packed fibrous bristles but can also be an elastomer finger or other material or structure. Of course, the central cleaning element 135 may even be omitted in certain embodiments of the invention.
  • the hollow cone formed by the cleaning elements 134a-f is circumferentially surrounded by a cleaning element wall (formed by arcuate sections of cleaning element walls 133a - b ).
  • the cleaning element walls 133a-b form the prophy cup as a substantially closed loop that concentrically surrounds the hollow cone formed by the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f. While the prophy cup is formed by two arcuate sections of cleaning element walls 133a-b in the illustrated embodiment, the prophy cup (and the substantially closed-loop) can be formed by a single wall section or by more than two wall sections in other embodiments.
  • an annular channel 137 exists between the hollow cone (formed by the cleaning elements 134a-f ) and the cleaning element wall (formed by arcuate cleaning element walls 133a - b ).
  • the arcuate cleaning element walls 133a-b are circumferentially spaced from one another so that gaps 139 exist along the longitudinal axis A-A of the head 120.
  • each of the cleaning elements 134a - f extends at an incline from the first surface 121 of the head 120 and terminate in cleaning ends 144a-f respectively.
  • the prophy cup (which consists of arcuate cleaning element walls 133a - b ) extends normally from the first surface 121 of the head 120 and terminates in top surfaces 143a - b .
  • the prophy cup (which consists of arcuate cleaning element walls 133a - b ) may extend from the first surface 121 of the head 120 at an inclined orientation, either inclined toward or away from the axis B-B .
  • the cleaning elements 134a-f (and thus the hollow cone) has a height H 1 while the prophy cup (and, thus, the arcuate cleaning element walls 133a-b ) has a height H 2 (measured relative to the front surface 121 of the head 120 ).
  • the height H 1 is preferably greater than the height H 2 .
  • the height H 1 is preferably in the range of 7 to 13 millimeters, most preferably 10 millimeters, while the height H 2 is preferably in the range of 5 to 11 millimeters, most preferably 6.5 millimeters.
  • cleaning element walls 133a-b circumferentially surround only a base portion of the cleaning elements 134a-f while a top portion of the cleaning elements 134a-f extends beyond the top surfaces 143a-b of the cleaning element walls 133a - b .
  • the cleaning elements 134a-f are preferably located within a range of 3 to 6 millimeters from the axis B-B , and most preferably 4 millimeters (measured from the base of the cleaning elements 134a-f ).
  • the walls 133a-b of the prophy cup are preferably located within a range of 6 to 12 millimeters from the axis B-B , and most preferably about 8 millimeters.
  • the width of the prophy cup 133 extends the substantial entirety of the width of the head 120.
  • a dentifrice is initially applied to the head 120 of the toothbrush 100 which fills the cavity 136 formed by the hollow cleaning element cone (which is formed by the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f ).
  • the funnel shape of the cavity 136 helps capture, hold and direct the dentifrice into the toothbrush during dentifrice application and subsequent brushing.
  • the central elongated cleaning element 135 may further assist with dentifrice maintenance and dispersion.
  • the dentifrice can flow through the spaces between adjacent elongated cleaning elements 134a-f and into the annular channel 137 formed between the hollow cleaning element cone (which is formed by the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f ) and the prophy cup (consisting of arcuate walls 133a - b ).
  • the inclined orientation of the elongated cleaning elements 134a - f results in the annular channel 137 having a substantially closed roof (at least in certain sections), thereby further helping to keep the dentifrice within the toothbrush 100.
  • the dentifrice then flows through the gaps 139 formed between the arcuate sections 133a - b .
  • the gaps 139 are located only along the longitudinal axis A-A of the head, the dentifrice escaping from the prohpy cup via the gaps 139 is forced into the first and second sets 131a-j, 132a-j where it is further distributed during the brushing and/or massaging of oral surfaces.
  • the prophy cup can provide additional support and rigidity to the elongated cleaning elements 134a - f during brushing. More specifically, when the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f are not under the standard forces imparted during brushing (i.e., in a non-use state), the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f are either slightly spaced from the arcuate walls 133a - b or abutted against the top inner edges of the arcuate walls 133a-b in a non-forced state.
  • the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f when the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f are subjected to standard forces imparted during brushing, the elongated cleaning elements 134a-f flex outwardly from the axis B - B and come into contact with the arcuate walls 133a - b , which provide additional support for the elongated cleaning elements 134a - f so tha more effective cleaning can be achieved.
  • the plurality of cleaning elements 134a-f are also taller than any of the cleaning elements of the first and second sets that are immediately adjacent the prophy cup (not illustrated).
  • the arcuate walls 133a-b are constructed of an elastomeric material, additional benefits are achieved. Specifically, the arcuate shaped elastomeric elements 133a - b help spread toothpaste onto the tubules of the teeth. This helps reduce the sensitivity of the tooth because the tubules are thereby reduced in size. This is also a benefit with whitening because the toothpaste is spread onto the tubules. Moreover, elastomeric walls are better than bristles at this wiping toothpaste into the tubules of the teeth.
  • cleaning elements 131a-j, 132a-j of the first and second sets 131, 132 within the distal and proximal regions 124,126 of the head 120 will be described according to one embodiment of the present invention. All of the cleaning elements 131a-j, 132a-j extend from the front surface 121 of the head in a substantially normal orientation.
  • the first set 131 comprises a first grouping consisting of cleaning element walls 131c- e and elongated cleaning elements 131a-b, 131f-g .
  • This first grouping of cleaning elements 131a-131g is disposed in a par-elliptical arrangement along the distal periphery of the head 120.
  • the elongated cleaning elements 131a - b, 131f-g are preferably cylindrical bristle tufts whose free ends taper to a point.
  • the cleaning element walls 131c-e are preferably walls of densely packed bristles. The height of the cleaning element walls 131c-e increase toward the distal end of the head 120, thereby forming a tapered edge at the distal edge of the cleaning element field.
  • the second set 132 comprises a first grouping consisting of cleaning element walls 132c-e and elongated cleaning elements 132a - b, 132f-g .
  • This first grouping of cleaning elements 132a-132g is disposed in a par-elliptical arrangement along the distal periphery of the head 120.
  • the elongated cleaning elements 132a-b, 132f-g are preferably cylindrical bristle tufts whose free ends taper to a point.
  • the cleaning element walls 132c-e are preferably walls of densely packed bristles. The height of the cleaning element walls 132c-e increase toward the distal end of the head 120, thereby forming a tapered edge at the distal edge of the cleaning element field.
  • the first set 131 also comprises a second grouping, consisting of arcuate cleaning element walls 131h, 131j and central cleaning element 131i.
  • the arcuate cleaning element walls 131h, 131j are arranged so as to form a loop about a center point from which the central cleaning element 131i extends.
  • the arcuate cleaning element walls 131h, 131j are preferably elastomeric walls but can be densely packed bristles.
  • This second grouping of cleaning element 131h-j is located within the par-elliptical shape formed by the first grouping of cleaning elements 131a-g.
  • the central cleaning element 131i extends a height that is greater than the height of the arcuate cleaning element walls 131h, 131j .
  • the height of the central cleaning element 131j is less than the height of the central cleaning element 135 of the third set 138.
  • the height of the arcuate cleaning element walls 131h, 131j is grater than the height of the arcuate wall elements 133a - b of the third set 38.
  • the second set 132 also comprises a second grouping, consisting of arcuate cleaning element walls 132h, 132j and central cleaning element 132i.
  • the arcuate cleaning element walls 132h, 132j are arranged so as to form a loop about a center point from which the central cleaning element 132i extends.
  • the arcuate cleaning element walls 132h, 132j are preferably elastomeric walls but can be densely packed bristles.
  • This second grouping of cleaning element 132h-j is located within the par-elliptical shape formed by the first grouping of cleaning elements 132a-g.
  • the central cleaning element 132i extends a height that is greater than the height of the arcuate cleaning element walls 132h, 132j.
  • the height of the central cleaning element 132j is less than the height of the central cleaning element 135 of the third set 138.
  • the height of the arcuate cleaning element walls 132h, 132j is grater than the height of the arcuate wall elements 133a - b of the third set 38.
  • Both of the loops formed by the arcuate cleaning element walls 132h, 132j and 131h, 131j respectively are located so that their center points are located along the longitudinal axis A-A of the head 120.
  • FIGS. 9A-9B a manual toothbrush 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
  • the toothbrush 200 is identical to the toothbrush 100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the central cleaning element 135 is omitted.
  • the central cleaning element 135 is omitted.
  • a further detailed description of the toothbrush 200 and its functioning is omitted with the understanding that the corresponding elements of toothbrush 200 are numbered the same as the toothbrush 100 except that they are in the "200 series.”
  • the above discussion with respect to toothbrush 100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush 200.
  • a manual toothbrush 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
  • the toothbrush 300 is identical to the toothbrush 100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the hollow cone structure 334 is formed by eight elongated cleaning elements rather than six.
  • the corresponding elements of toothbrush 300 are numbered the same as the toothbrush 100 except that they are in the "300 series.” The above discussion with respect to toothbrush 100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush 300.
  • a manual toothbrush 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
  • the toothbrush 400 is identical to the toothbrush 100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the hollow cone structure 434 is formed by ten elongated cleaning elements rather than six.
  • the corresponding elements of toothbrush 400 are numbered the same as the toothbrush 100 except that they are in the "400 series.” The above discussion with respect to toothbrush 100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush 400.
  • a manual toothbrush 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
  • the toothbrush 500 is identical to the toothbrush 100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 except that the central cleaning elements 135 is omitted and the elongated cleaning elements 534a-f that form the hollow cone structure 534 converge upon the axis B-B, thereby forming a full cone rather than a truncated cone.
  • a further detailed description of the toothbrush 500 and its functioning is omitted with the understanding that the corresponding elements of toothbrush 500 are numbered the same as the toothbrush 100 except that they are in the "500 series.” The above discussion with respect to toothbrush 100 is thus applicable to the toothbrush 400.
  • the cleaning element disc 600 is essentially a plate-like disc that incorporates the third set 138 of cleaning elements described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 .
  • the apparatus 600 generally comprises a circular base plate 601 and the third set 138 of cleaning elements described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 .
  • a further detailed description of the third set 138 of cleaning elements is omitted.
  • the cleaning element disc 600 can utilize any of the variations of the cleaning element arrangement disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 9A-12C .
  • the cleaning element disc 600 is particularly suited for use with powered toothbrushes wherein the cleaning element disc 600 will lock into place on the powered toothbrush and be operably coupled to a rotary element.
  • the cleaning element disc 600 can also be used in manual toothbrushes wherein the cleaning element disc 600 can snap lock/unlock into and out of the head of the toothbrush for replacement. Such techniques are known in the art.
  • a plurality of the third sets 138 of cleaning elements can be arranged on the head 120 of the toothbrush 100.
  • the third sets 138 of cleaning elements are preferably aligned along the longitudinal axis A-A of the head 120.
  • any of the embodiments of the third sets can be used.

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  • Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
EP15162039.0A 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements Not-in-force EP2912966B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/547,627 US20110047736A1 (en) 2009-08-26 2009-08-26 Oral Care Implement Having Diverging Cleaning Elements
EP12193452.5A EP2574254B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements
EP10749573.1A EP2470045B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements

Related Parent Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10749573.1A Division EP2470045B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements
EP12193452.5A Division EP2574254B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements
EP12193452.5A Division-Into EP2574254B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2912966A1 EP2912966A1 (en) 2015-09-02
EP2912966B1 true EP2912966B1 (en) 2017-06-14

Family

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Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12193452.5A Not-in-force EP2574254B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements
EP15162039.0A Not-in-force EP2912966B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements
EP15162045.7A Withdrawn EP2912967A1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements
EP10749573.1A Active EP2470045B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12193452.5A Not-in-force EP2574254B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15162045.7A Withdrawn EP2912967A1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements
EP10749573.1A Active EP2470045B1 (en) 2009-08-26 2010-08-26 Oral care implement having diverging cleaning elements

Country Status (15)

Country Link
US (2) US20110047736A1 (es)
EP (4) EP2574254B1 (es)
KR (1) KR101372187B1 (es)
CN (1) CN102740730B (es)
AU (1) AU2010289773B2 (es)
BR (1) BR112012004176A2 (es)
CA (1) CA2769422C (es)
CO (1) CO6420395A2 (es)
ES (1) ES2434041T3 (es)
HK (1) HK1172525A1 (es)
MX (1) MX2012001482A (es)
MY (1) MY155972A (es)
RU (1) RU2525184C2 (es)
TW (2) TWI433656B (es)
WO (1) WO2011028607A2 (es)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR101372187B1 (ko) 2014-03-07
KR20120046320A (ko) 2012-05-09
TWI433656B (zh) 2014-04-11
EP2912966A1 (en) 2015-09-02
CA2769422A1 (en) 2011-03-10
BR112012004176A2 (pt) 2016-03-29
ES2434041T3 (es) 2013-12-13
CA2769422C (en) 2014-10-28
EP2470045B1 (en) 2013-09-18
CN102740730B (zh) 2015-04-15
WO2011028607A3 (en) 2011-04-28
EP2574254A2 (en) 2013-04-03
US20170202348A1 (en) 2017-07-20
TW201417745A (zh) 2014-05-16
MX2012001482A (es) 2012-02-22
AU2010289773B2 (en) 2014-03-06
TW201116229A (en) 2011-05-16
AU2010289773A1 (en) 2012-02-23
EP2470045A2 (en) 2012-07-04
RU2012111317A (ru) 2013-10-10
US20110047736A1 (en) 2011-03-03
CN102740730A (zh) 2012-10-17
HK1172525A1 (en) 2013-04-26
MY155972A (en) 2015-12-31
EP2574254B1 (en) 2016-04-27
EP2574254A3 (en) 2013-06-19
EP2912967A1 (en) 2015-09-02
CO6420395A2 (es) 2012-04-16
WO2011028607A2 (en) 2011-03-10
RU2525184C2 (ru) 2014-08-10

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