# US 7,607,189 B2 · Oral care implement

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- Number: US 7,607,189 B2
- Document ID: US7607189B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/989,267
- Filed: 2004-11-17
- Published: 2006-01-19
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2004-07-14
- Assignees: Colgate-Palmolive Company
- Inventors: Robert Moskovich
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607189B2

## CPC

- A46B 15/0081: {Brushes with a scraper, e.g. tongue scraper}
- A46B 15/0055: {Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors}
- A61B 17/244: {for cleaning of the tongue}
- A46B 2200/1066: Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04)
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An oral care implement including a handle and a head with a tongue cleanser. The tongue cleanser has at least one ridge which is at least as wide as it is high. In one preferred construction, the ridges are shaped so as to define a concave surface facing generally toward the handle. The ridges also preferably include aligned segments from front to back that are oriented at different angular positions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An oral care implement comprising:
a handle;
a head having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a first surface;
a first set of V-shaped ridges protruding outward from the first surface for cleansing soft oral tissue, the first set of V-shaped ridges located at the proximal end of the head;
a second set of V-shaped ridges protruding outward from the first surface for cleansing soft oral tissue, the second set of V-shaped ridges located at the distal end of the head;
a third set of curved ridges protruding outward from the first surface for cleansing soft oral tissue, the third set of curved ridges located between the first and second sets of V-shaped ridges;
each of the curved ridges having a concave side facing the handle and an opposite convex side;
each of the V-shaped ridges having an apex pointing away from the handle;
wherein the first set of V-shaped ridges, the second set of V-shaped ridges and the third set of curved ridges are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the head; and
wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges have a transverse width and a height, the transverse width being greater than the height.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges are formed of the same material as the head.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges are formed of a different material than the head.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges protrude outward from the first surface in a generally perpendicular direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges are made of a thermoplastic elastomeric material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges extend generally across a width of the head.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein the head includes a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of teeth cleaning elements extending outward from the second surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges comprise: a base where the curved ridges and the V-shaped ridges connect to the first surface; a distal end remote from the first surface; and wherein each one of said bases is spaced from an adjacent one of said bases.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The oral care implement of claim 1 further comprising:
wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges are formed of a different material than the head;
wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges protrude outward from the first surface in a generally perpendicular direction;
wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges are made of a thermoplastic elastomeric material;
wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges extend generally across a width of the head;
wherein the head includes a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of teeth cleaning elements extending outward from the second surface; and
wherein each of the curved ridges and each of the V-shaped ridges comprise: a base where the curved ridges and the V-shaped ridges connect to the first surface; a distal end remote from the first surface; and wherein each one of said bases is spaced from an adjacent one of said bases.