US 5,325,560 AGranted

Orthodontic toothbrush

OwnerBernadino J. Pavone, John A. Vendittiinventors

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A toothbrush for use by wearers of orthodontic appliances comprises an elongated handle, a neck and a head. The bristles are designed so that the outermost rows are relatively soft and of long length, the bristles in the pattern gradually shortening in length and becoming stiffer, with the shortest and stiffest bristles being positioned along the center rows of the brush's longitudinal centerline axis. Also, the center rows of bristles are formed to be angled at their ends to reduce the pressure required to deflect the bristles beneath brace elements thus reducing undue pressure against the gums. Furthermore, a flexible member compressibly supports the center rows of bristles. The toothbrush also comprises an outer bumper protectively surrounding the toothbrush head. Moreover, a further embodiment of the invention has a lower tuft of bristles projecting from the lower portion of the handle.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A toothbrush comprising:

an elongated handle,
an angled neck connected to said elongated handle,
a head portion connected to said angled neck longitudinally opposite from said elongated handle and having a longitudinally oriented centerline thereof, said head portion having an inside and an outside surface both of which are peripherally bordered by a sidewall therearound,
a plurality of tufts having a plurality of bristles therein, said plurality of bristles being arranged in a pattern projecting transversely from said inside surface of said head portion, said pattern of said plurality of bristles having outside rows and medial rows extending along said center line, said pattern comprising a continuously decreasing length of bristle from an outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a shortest of said plurality of bristles located closest to said centerline of said head portion,
said plurality of bristles also gradually varying in stiffness from a minimum stiffness at the outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a maximum stiffness located at the plurality of bristles located closest to the centerline of said plurality of bristles in said pattern,
said plurality of bristles in said outside rows being substantially straight along their entire length and projecting perpendicular from a plane substantially parallel to said inside surface of said head portion,
said medial rows having lower bristle portions thereupon, said lower bristle portions projecting generally perpendicular from a plane substantially parallel to said inside surface, said medial rows having top portions thereupon, said top portions being angled inward toward said centerline of said head portion;
and
said outermost located of said plurality of bristles having end portions thereupon thereby creating an end plane, said end plane being substantially parallel to said inside surface.

6 more elements

A toothbrush comprising:

an elongated handle,
an angled neck connected to said elongated handle,
a head portion connected to said angled neck longitudinally opposite from said elongated handle and having a longitudinally oriented centerline thereof, said head portion having an inside and an outside surface both of which are peripherally bordered by a sidewall therearound,
a plurality of tufts having a plurality of bristles therein, said plurality of bristles being arranged in a pattern projecting transversely from said inside surface of said head portion, said pattern of said plurality of bristles having outside rows and medial rows, extending along said centerline, said pattern comprising a continuously decreasing length of bristle from an outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a shortest of said plurality of bristles located closest to said centerline of said head portion,
said plurality of bristles also gradually varying in stiffness from a minimum stiffness at the outermost located of said plurality of bristles to a maximum stiffness located at the plurality of bristles located closest to the centerline of said plurality of bristles in said pattern,
said plurality of bristles in said outside rows projecting perpendicular from a plane substantially parallel to said inside surface of said head portion,
said medial rows having lower bristle portions thereupon, said lower bristle portions projecting generally perpendicular from a plane substantially parallel to said inside surface, said medial rows having top portions thereupon, said top portions being angled inward toward said centerline of said head portion,
said outermost located of said plurality of bristles having end portions thereupon thereby creating an end plane, said end plane being substantially parallel to said inside surface,
a flexible member located centrally adjacent to said inside surface, said medial rows being attached to said flexible member and extending therefrom, whereby said flexible member allows said medial rows of bristles to move toward and away from said inside surface of said head portion;
and
a bumper having a cross sectional U-shape for fitting snugly against said head portion sidewall and only against the outermost portion of said inside surface and said outside surface so as to be substantially clear of said outside surface of said head portion.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/002,219Filed 8 Jan 1993
Granted: 5 Jul 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A46B 5/0029
Brushes with elastically deformable heads that change shape during use: head made of soft plastics, rubber or rubber inserts in plastics matrix
A46B 7/06
Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body: movably during use , i.e. the normal brushing action causing movement
A46B 9/045
Arranged like in or for toothbrushes: specially adapted for cleaning a plurality of tooth surfaces simultaneously
A46B 17/08
Accessories for brushes: other accessories, e.g. scrapers, rubber buffers for preventing damage to furniture