US 10,306,975 B2 · Oral care implement

Abstract

An oral care implement comprises a head portion and handle portion comprising resiliently folding appendages. The appendages extend laterally outwards from a central body of the handle portion in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the appendages may each have annular loop structures with recurvant ends coupled to the body. The head portion comprises tooth cleaning elements such as bristles. The head portion, handle portion, and bristles may be a monolithic construction of a resiliently deformable material with elastic memory. The bristles may be especially pliable and adapted for infant or toddler use. The appendages have an undeformed width preventing the young child from over-insertion into the oral cavity when at maximum span. The appendages may be folded against the body for deeper insertion into the oral cavity by an adult. The implement is configured to prevent the head portion and tooth bristles from contacting a flat surface when placed thereon.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An oral care implement comprising:

a longitudinal axis;
a head portion comprising a plurality of tooth cleaning elements;
a handle portion supporting to the head portion, the handle portion comprising:
a central body;
a first appendage extending outwards from a first lateral side of the central body in a first direction;
and
a second appendage extending outwards from a second lateral side of the central body in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
wherein the first and second appendages are each movable from (1) an unfolded position wherein the first and second appendages are each obliquely orientated to a horizontal reference plane that intersects the longitudinal axis and extends transversely through the lateral sides of first and second lateral sides of the central body to (2) a folded position wherein, in response to a force being applied to the first and second appendages, the appendages are foldable over and against a rear side of the central body, the appendages returning to the unfolded position upon cessation of the force.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Oral care implement

Life of this patent

Oral care implement

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16