FI125061B - Hammasharjan pää - Google Patents

Description

TOOTHBRUSH HEAD FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to replacement brush heads, for example for use with an electromagnetic assembly. Additionally, a method of manufacture of the same is described herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plaque is the main cause to gingivitis and other gum diseases. It is a sticky material made of bacteria, mucus, and food debris and deposits particularly in the grooves and gum pockets evolved between the gum and teeth. Being concealed, technical level, conventional tooth brushes with right-angle bristles block rather than remove it when brushing the teeth. What is needed is a brush which is designed to remove plaque buildup at the neck of the tooth. US 2004/034951 A1 discloses an electric toothbrush comprising a housed motor, which motor drives a brushing head about an oscillation axis, said head comprising bristles arranged in bristle tufts, said toothbrush comprising a longitudinal axis, said brush head comprising a transverse axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and passing through said longitudinal axis at said oscillation axis, characterised in that at least 50% of the bristle tufts within 45° either side of the transverse axis of the brush head when in a rest position have an average length of from 106 to 140% that of the average length of the other bristle tufts on the brush head located outside this area. The invention also provides a replaceable head therefor. US 2002/138926 A1 describes a head for an electric toothbrush which includes a support member having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough. A plurality of tufts of bristles each extends through one of the holes. A first brushing end of each tuft projects from a first side of the support member. Each tuft is prevented from being withdrawn from its hole when a tensile force is applied to the first end of each tuft along a long axis of the tuft. A resilient cushion is positioned adjacent a second side of the support member such that a second end of each tuft can contact the cushion. When a compressive force is applied to the first end of each tuft along the long axis of each tuft, each tuft can move in its hole in a first direction into the cushion. When the compressive force is removed the cushion causes each tuft to move in its hole in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction. US 2006/248667 A1 teaches a brush part for an electric toothbrush in which tufts of bristles are arranged in polygons, and in which the tufts of bristles lean, either around the polygons or inwardly and outwardly, so that the tuft alignments converge and preferably cross. US 2005/166343 A1 discloses an electric toothbrush system or toothbrush head. The cleaning head in accordance with the embodiments of the invention includes at least one movable section that is configured to rotate, vibrate, oscillate or a combination thereof and has at least one prophy-cup structure and/or one or more polishing elements protruding therefrom. Preferably, the cleaning head also includes bristle tufts. The cleaning head can be configured to detachably couple to a motorized handle. The motorized handle can include a rechargeable battery that is configured to couple to a recharging station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush head. In particular, a toothbrush head for use as a replaceable toothbrush head of an electronic toothbrush.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a toothbrush head comprising a brush head housing coupled to a brush head shaft, a movable bristle carrier coupled to a pivoting axle of the brush head housing, and a mechanical linkage assembly (6) coupled to the pivoting axle.

Additionally, the bristle carrier may contain a plurality of tooth cleaning elements which form bristle tufts, where a first portion of the bristle tufts are formed in to bristle tuft groups in a the outermost row(s) of a plurality of patterned rows, the bristle tuft groups being located on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the brush head shaft.

Furthermore, it is an aspect of certain embodiments for at least two of the bristle tuft groups in the outermost row(s) are disposed at a pivoting angle of between 5° and 45°, preferably between 20° and 30° off of a median line of the bristle carrier.

Still yet it is an aspect of certain embodiments for the median line of the bristle carrier to be disposed ± 25° from perpendicular from the longitudinal axis of the brush head shaft. Particularly, wherein the median line is disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Furthermore, it is an aspect of certain embodiments that the bristle tuft groups are disposed in an outward leaning angle compared to a central axis of the pivoting axle. For example, wherein the outward leaning angle is between 5° and 45° and preferably between 15° and 25°.

The bristle tufts may have a round cross sectional shape, or other effective cross sectional shape. The first bristle tufts can also be at least 1.5x longer, preferably between 2x and 3x longer than the second bristle tufts.

Additionally, there is described herein a method of manufacturing the same.

In particular it is intended to improve the brushing efficiency of the teeth neck areas and gums.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A shows a perspective top view of an electromagnet driven toothbrush with a brush head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure IB shows a perspective side view of the electromagnet driven toothbrush of Fig. 1A.

Figure 2 is a perspective front view of the brush head of figure 1 showing the bristle tufts on the bristle carrier. The outer row is arranged in groups containing one or more elongated tufts which can be used in order to provide improved cleaning of the gums and teeth neck area.

Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the brush head taken along the cut lines A - Ain figure 1. The figure shows the brush head, brush head pivoting axle and bristle carrier pivoting mechanism.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the brush head of figure 1 showing the location of the bristle tuft groups on the outer or second outer bristle tuft rows on the bristle carrier and arranged on both sides of the brush head shaft. The width of the bristle tuft groups on the outer row can be determined by the pivoting angle. The width may be narrower but should exceed more than 20% the width of the arch of the pivoting angle measured on the radius determined by the centre of the pivoting and the location of the bristle group on the bristle carrier.

Figure 5 is a front view of the brush head in figure 1 showing the outwardly inclined bristle tuft groups on both sides of the bristle carrier. As the bristle tuft groups are inclined into position where access to teeth neck and gum is optimized, these areas are more efficiently cleaned in brushing operation. This results in a decreased accumulation of plaque on the tooth neck.

Figure 6 is a perspective front view of the brush head in figure 1 showing the elongation of the bristles in the bristle tuft groups according to an example of the invention.

Figures 7A-C are perspective front views showing example variations of bristle tufts arrangement in the brush head of figure 1.

Figures 8A & B show two examples of manufacturing methods according to the present invention. For example, in figure 8A the bristle tuft groups are inserted on the outer row of the bristle carrier and are bent outwardly by a fixture. The position can then be secured by wedges glued in place between the bristle tuft groups and the next bristle row. Figure 8B shows another example method of inserting the bristle tufts into blind bores in the bristle carrier. The bores can be drilled in any desired angle.

Figures 9A-D are examples of brush cleaning elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to a replacement toothbrush head for electric toothbrushes. According to certain embodiments, the toothbrush head may comprise, or consist of, some or all of the following elements; a driving electromagnet assembled in a toothbrush head 1, a brush head shaft 3, a brush head housing 2 comprising a bottom portion with a pivoting axle 5 in the centre and a movable bristle carrier 4 for carrying tooth cleaning bristles, a moveable bristle carrier 4 connected and/or coupled to a central pivoting axle 5; a brush head bottom member fixedly connected to and/or coupled to a brush head shaft 3 and said brush head shaft 3 fixedly connected and/or coupled to said brush head housing 2; a brush head shaft 3 including a mechanical linkage assembly 6; a mechanical linkage assembly 6 connected to a movable bristle carrier 4 and an electromagnetic drive such that the bristle carrier 4 can pivot around a brush head pivoting axle 5 when the electromagnet is actuated.

The bristle carrier 4 can have blind-end bores in which a plurality of tooth cleaning bristles or other tooth cleaning elements can be fixedly attached. Examples of several types of tooth cleaning elements configured in to bristle tufts can be seen, for example, in figures 9A-9D. The bristles and/or other tooth cleaning elements can be arranged into bristle tufts 7 & 7a each containing a plurality of the bristles or other tooth cleaning elements.

Figures 1 and la show an example of a toothbrush head 1 according to the present invention. The toothbrush head 1 comprises a brush head housing 2, a brush head shaft 3 and a moveable bristle carrier 4. The moveable bristle carrier 4 has an outer contour 10 which is shown as a circle. The outer contour 10 of the bristle carrier may be elliptical or any other desired symmetric or asymmetric shape.

The bristle carrier 4 further comprises a brush assembly 7b having a first set of bristle tufts 7 and a second set of bristle tufts 7a. Figure 2 shows another angle of the unit of figure 1. the first set of bristle tufts 7 are seen in two rows of bristle tuft groups 9 and 9a, and the second set of bristle tufts 7a are shown in four rows in-between groups 9 and 9a.

Figure 3 shows a cutaway of the unit 1 of figure 1 along the cut lines A-A. The toothbrush head unit 1 is shown comprising a mechanical linkage assembly 6 within the brush head shaft 3. The mechanical linkage assembly 6 is coupled to a pivoting axel 5 within the brush head housing 2. The brush head housing 2 may be an integral portion of the brush head shaft or they may be separate portions connected together during a manufacturing process. The pivoting axel 5 is connected long a central axis 17 to the movable bristle carrier 4.

Figure 4 shows an arrangement of the bristle tufts on the bristle carrier with reference to the longitudinal axis 15 of the brush head shaft 3 and a median line 13 of the bristle carrier.

The bristle tuft groups (9, 9a) in the outermost rows, which may be or may be considered as a single circular outer row, are disposed at a pivoting angle 14. The pivoting angle is shown as a displacement with regards to the median line 13. The pivoting angle 14 can be between 5° and 45° and is preferably between 20° and 30° off of a median line 13 of the bristle carrier 4.

Additionally, the median line 13 of the bristle carrier 4, which should divide the bristle carrier in to two equal hemispheres, can be disposed ± 25° from perpendicular from the longitudinal axis 15 of the brush head shaft 3. However, the median line 13 is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 15.

Figure 5 shows an example of a brush head housing 2 wherein the bristle tuft groups 9, 9a are disposed in an outward leaning angle 16 compared to a central axis 17 of the pivoting axle 5. The outward leaning angle 16 can be between 5° and 45° and preferably between 15° and 25°.

Figure 6 shows the offset bristle length difference 18 between the lengths of the first and second set bristle tuft groups 7 and 7a. While first bristle tufts 7 can have some degree of variance, they can be, or can substantially be the same length. Similarly, while the second bristle tufts 7a can have some degree of variance, as shown in figure 6 for example, they can be, or can substantially be the same length. However, the first bristle tufts 7 should be longer than the second bristle tufts 7a.

The difference in length between the two groups can be considered as the true difference, i.e. when stood parallel to each other, or as an offset bristle length difference 18 as shown in figure 6 which takes in to consideration the disposition of the first bristle tufts 7 from the second bristle tufts 7a of the outward leaning angle 16. Either the true difference or the offset bristle length difference 18 between the first and second bristle tufts should be greater than 50%, i.e. the first bristle tufts 7 should be more than 1.5 times longer than the second bristle tufts 7a. Preferably, the offset bristle length difference should be 100-200%.

Figures 7A-7C shows several examples of bristle patterns on the bristle carrier 4. As can be seen, various arrangements according to the present invention can be implemented.

The bristles or other cleaning elements rows can follow a circular outer edge of the bristle carrier. Additionally, the bristle tufts in the outer, or second outer row or rows can be arranged in groups containing one or more tufts of first and/or second bristle tufts 7, 7a. The bristle tuft groups 9 and 9a can form a semi arch with the length of the arch determined by the size of the pivoting angle.

Additionally, it is possible to arrange the first bristle tufts 7 in the outer or second outer row, advantageously in sectional groups covering each 10% to 40% of the total perimeter length of the row. Each of the sectional groups containing one or a plurality of individual bristle or other cleaning element tufts. Each bristle or other tooth cleaning element section formed by the bristle tufts can be located on the bristle carrier opposite to another similar section on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the brush head shaft.

Brushing efficiency is improved by having the tooth cleaning tuft groups in the outer or second outer row and arranged in an outward leaning angle so that the tufts are better able to reach the tooth neck area where most of plaque is deposited.

It should be understood from the design, and also proven in practice, that the shorter the inner row bristle tufts are in comparison with the outer row bristle tufts, the more the brushing efficiency is directed towards the outer rows. As bristle tufts in the outer rows, in accordance with this innovation, have been inclined outwards, they hence can better reach the tooth neck area and gum pockets where the plaque has been deposited during the day. The brushing efficiently of the outer row would reach the maximum if the inner bristles are cut all the way down. This would however reduce the overall brushing efficiency so an optimum between the overall brushing and tooth neck area brushing efficiencies is sought by adjusting the length of the middle row bristles accordingly.

Furthermore, there is described herein methods of manufacturing a toothbrush head in accordance with the present invention. According to such methods, a bristle carrier is manufactured having a multiplicity of bristles fastened thereto. The manufacturing process is simplified as it is possible to use existing tuft setting equipment for setting the bristle tufts.

The bristle or other tooth cleaning element tufts are fastened to the bristle carrier for example either by using a metal plate anchor, by the same plastic material used for injection molding of the bristle carrier or any other method known by the art. Additionally, as shown in figure 8b, the bristles can be affixed in blind ended bores 21 drilled, or otherwise manufactured in to the bristle carrier 4 at a desired outwardly leaning angle 16.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but are extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and examples of the present invention may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below. 1 - Toothbrush head 2 - Brush head housing 3 - Brush head shaft 4 - Moveable bristle carrier 5 - Pivoting axle 6 - Mechanical linkage assembly 7 - First bristle tufts 7a - Second bristle tufts 7b - Brush assembly 9 & 9a - Bristle tuft groups 10 - Outer contour of the bristle carrier 13 - Median line of the bristle carrier 14 - Pivoting angle 15 - Longitudinal axis of the brush head shaft 16 - Outward leaning angle 17 - Central axis of the pivoting axel 18 - Offset bristle length difference 19 - Wedge 21 - Blind ended bores

Claims (9)

1. Hammasharjan pää (1), joka käsittää; harjaspään kotelo (2) yhdistettynä harjaspään varteen (3), liikkuva harjaslevy (4) liitettynä heilahdusakseliin (5) harjaspään kotelossa (2), ja - harjaslevy (4) jossa joukko hampaan puhdistuselementtejä jotka muodostavat harjastupsuja (7, 7a) Joista ensimmäinen joukko (7) on järjestetty harjastupsuryhmiin (9, 9a) ulommaisella riv(e)illä joukkoon järjestetyistä riveistä, harjastupsuryhmät (9, 9a) sijoitettuna vastakkaisille puolille harjaspään varren (3) keskiviivaa (15), TUNNETTU siitä, että linkitysmekanismi (6) on liitoksessa heilahdusakseliin (5), harj astupsuryhmät (9, 9a) on j ärjestetty ulospäin taivutettuun kulmaan (16) heilahdusakselin (5) keskiviivaan (17) nähden, ensimmäinen harjastupsuryhmä (7) on vähintään 1,5x, mieluummin 2x ja 3x pidempi kuin toinen harjastupsuryhmä (7a), ja - jossa vähintään kaksi ulommaisella riv(e)illä sijaitsevista harjastupsuryhmistä (9, 9a) on järjestetty heilahduskulman (14) piiriin 5° - 45°, mieluiten 20° - 30° sisään harjaslevyn (4) keskilinjan (13) molemmin puolin.

2. Patenttivaatimuksen 1 mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa harjaslevyn (4) keskilinja (13) on järjestetty +/- 25° kulmaan kohtisuorasta harjaspään varren (3) keskiviivaa (15) kohti.

3. Patenttivaatimusten 1 tai 2 mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa harjaslevyn (4) keskiakseli (13) on järjestetty kohtisuoraan harjaspään varren (3) keskiviivaa (15) kohti.

4. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa ulospäin taivutettu kulma (16) on 5° - 45° välillä, mieluummin 15° - 25° välillä.

5. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa harjastupsut (7, 7a) ovat poikkileikkaukseltaan pyöreitä.

6. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa haijaslevy (4) on pyöreä tai ellipsi ja harjastupsuryhmät (9, 9a) on järjestetty seuraamaan harjaslevyn (4) ulkoreunaa (10).

7. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa vähintään kaksi harjastupsuryhmää (9, 9a) muodostaa parin ulommaisella riv(e)illä pitkittäisviivan (15) vastakkaisilla puolilla.

8. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa vähintään kahdessa harjastupsuryhmässä (9, 9a) on kummassakin yhtä monta harjastupsua (7) jakaantuneena tasan keskilinjan (13) molemmin puolin ja heilahduskulman (14) piirissä.

9. Jonkin edellisen patenttivaatimuksen mukainen hammasharjan pää, jossa toisen ryhmän harjastupsut (7a) muodostavat joukon rivejä joista ainakin jotkin ulommaisen rivi(e)n ja ensimmäisten harjastupsujen (7) välissä.