US 5,628,082 AGranted

Toothbrush with improved efficacy

AssigneeColgate-Palmolive Company

InventorRobert Moskovich

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Abstract

An improved toothbrush with a secure grip, a more effective bristle arrangement, and a specially shaped head is disclosed. The handle is formed with opposed gripping portions, and fits securely in the hand of the brusher, facing either up or down, imparting to the user a very secure and comfortable feeling. The toothbrush has a narrow and thin head for maximum access to the oral cavity, and a novel bristle arrangement which is highly effective for the removal of plaque from teeth with manual brushing. In one embodiment, the brush head is tapered to a narrow portion, and then optionally flares out again. In another embodiment, the head is formed with a wavy profile. In yet other embodiments, the brush head may also be provided with an upwardly curved or an angled tip. The head may also have a rubberized lower portion to effectuate gum massage, a gum stimulator, and a head with visibly different utilization areas.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A toothbrush comprising a head portion and a handle portion connected thereto along a longitudinal axis, the head portion having brushing means thereon, wherein the handle portion is formed from a thermoplastic material, and wherein the head portion has a first region distal to the handle portion, a second region proximal to the handle portion and a perimeter surrounding the head portion, wherein the brushing means comprises:

(a) a first brush area on said first region distal to said handle portion, said first brush area including an outer brush perimeter region at the free end of said head portion, said outer brush perimeter region being arranged in an arcuate pattern on said free end and further defining an inner area thereon in which an inner densely packed brush area is located;
and
(b) a second brush area on said second region proximal to said handle portion, said second brush area containing alternating bars and rows of interproximal tufts which are oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein said rows of interproximal tufts end in one selected from the group consisting of laterally outwardly extending gumline bristles and laterally outwardly extending gumline bars.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/406,333Filed 22 Mar 1995
Granted: 13 May 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

A46B 9/026
Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups: where the surface of the brush…
A46B 5/02
Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware: specially shaped for holding by the hand
A46B 7/00
Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
A46B 9/04
Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups: arranged like in or for toothbrushes