WO2004019728A1

WO2004019728A1 - Toothbrush with head non-detachably mounted to handle

Info

Publication number: WO2004019728A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/026729
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth Waguespack; Joseph Fattori
Original assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
Priority date: 2002-08-30
Filing date: 2003-08-27
Publication date: 2004-03-11
Also published as: AU2003265755A1

Abstract

A toothbrush (10) is made from a head (14) and handle (12) which are originally separate and distinct from each other. The head (14) and handle (12) are connected together by a connecting mechanism which includes a socket member (22) integral with either the head (14) or the handle (12) and a stem (24) integral with the other of the head (14) or the handle (12). The socket member (22) has a cavity (26) and an opening (28) on its inner surface in the cavity. The stem (24) has a locking member (32) on its outer surface. The socket member (22) is expandable under pressure. When the stem (24) is inserted into the cavity (26) the stem (24) causes the socket member (22) to expand sufficiently to permit the locking member (32) to enter and become seated in the opening (28) so that when the socket member (22) returns to its original size and shape the head (14) and handle (12) are permanently secured together.

Description

TOOTHBRUSH WITH HEAD NON-DETACHABLY MOUNTED TO HANDLE Background of the Invention

Conventional toothbrushes include a handle and a head secured to the handle. The head carries various types of cleaning elements. Usually, the handle and head are manufactured so as to be integral with each other. Variations of these common procedures include having a head detachably mounted to the handle. Examples of such detachable mounting are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,237,183 and 5,864,915. In both of these patents the bristle carrying portion which is referred to in the patents as the brush or brushing head is detachably mounted to an end of the handle at a location which is generally considered as the head area.

U.S. Patent No. 6,066,282 discloses a process for making a toothbrush wherein the head and handle are made separately and then engaged together.

It would be desirable if the handle and head could be manufactured separately from each other and then permanently attached in a quick and economical manner to form the final toothbrush. Summary of the Invention

An object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush which includes the handle and head as separate parts connected together in a permanent manner. A further object of this invention is to provide manufacturing techniques for making a toothbrush wherein the handle and head are initially of separate parts, but then permanently secured together.

In accordance with this invention the handle and head are initially separate and distinct from each other, but then secured together by connecting structure. The connecting structure includes a socket member integral with either the handle or the head and a stem integral with the other of the handle or the head. The socket member has a cavity for receiving the stem and has an opening on the inner surface of the socket member in the cavity. The socket member is expandable under pressure. The stem includes a locking member on its outer surface. The stem and cavity are of a size and shape so that when the stem is inserted into the cavity the cavity is caused to expand sufficiently to permit the locking member to enter the cavity until the locking member becomes seated in the opening to thereby non-detachably secure the head to the handle. In the preferred practice of this invention the stem tapers outwardly in a direction away from the socket member. The locking member includes an inclined cam surface to facilitate the stem and locking member entering the cavity. The opening preferably extends completely through the wall of the socket member. When the locking member is mounted in the opening it is of a size to be confined completely within the opening without extending beyond the outer surface of the socket member.

The invention may be practiced with only a single locking member and a single opening. Alternatively, a plurality, such as two locking members and two corresponding openings may be provided. In yet another practice of the invention there could be two openings which are offset from each other to accept locking members on the stem which are of generally Z-shape.

Preferably, the socket member is integral with the head and the stem is integral with the handle. The socket member and stem are of complementary shape to tightly fit together. The Drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a toothbrush in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view partly in section of the toothbrush shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an exploded side view partly in section of the toothbrush shown in Figures 1 -2;

Figure 3A is a view similar to Figure 3 of a modified form of this invention;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a further toothbrush in accordance with this invention; Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view partly in section of the toothbrush shown in Figures 4-5; and

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of still yet another toothbrush in accordance with this invention. Detailed Description

The present invention is generally directed to a toothbrush wherein the head and handle are initially made of separate parts and then permanently secured together. As a result, it is possible to mass produce various types of handles and various types of heads and then select the desired combinations which would simplify the manufacturing of the toothbrush while providing selectivity in the final assembly. When the head and handle are secured together the securement results in a permanent mechanical attachment which is accomplished by having a snap fit. The snap fit results from a connection mechanism designed to permanently attach the toothbrush head and the separately produced toothbrush handle. The connection is designed to engage only once. The connection mechanism includes a socket member secured to either the handle or head and a stem secured to the other of the handle or the head. The socket member is made of a material such as a suitable plastic material which can expand under the pressure of engagement of the stem. The socket member includes an opening on the inner surface of its cavity in the path of movement of a locking member on the outer surface of the stem. As a result, when the stem is inserted into the cavity of the socket member the socket member can expand sufficiently to allow the stem to be inserted until the locking member snaps into the opening whereupon the material of the socket member retracts to firmly lock the stem and socket member together with the locking member seated in the opening.

Figures 1-3 show one practice of the invention. As shown therein the toothbrush 10 includes a handle 12 and a head 14. Head 14 carries any suitable number of cleaning elements 16. Handle 12 may be of any suitable shape. In the illustrated embodiment handle 12 includes a curved gripping surface 18 and a flat end 20 which would permit the handle to stand on end. The invention, however, may be practiced with other sizes and shapes of the head and handle.

As best shown in Figure 3 head 14 is connected to handle 12 by a connection mechanism which includes a socket member 22 integral with head 14 and a stem 24 integral with handle 12. The invention may be practiced where the socket member is integral with the handle and where the stem is integral with the head.

As shown in Figure 3 socket member 22 includes a cavity 26 and also has an opening 28 on the inner surface of cavity 26. In the preferred practice of the invention the opening 28 is a hole extending completely through the socket member wall. The invention could be practiced, however, where the opening is simply a recess in the inner surface of the socket member.

Stem 24 extends outwardly from a shoulder 30 on handle 12. Shoulder 30 is of a size and shape so that when the head and handle are secured together as shown in Figures 1 -2 the toothbrush 10 has a continuous smooth outer surface even at the location of the joining of the head and handle.

As shown in Figure 3 a locking member 32 is provided on the outer surface of stem 24. Stem 24 and cavity 26 are of a complementary shape so that when the stem 24 is fully inserted into the cavity 26 a tight fit will result. The full insertion is achieved when the outer edge 31 of socket member 22 is disposed snugly against shoulder 30 of handle 12. Socket member 22 is made of a material such as a plastic material which is capable of expanding under the pressure of stem 24 being pushed into cavity 26. The expansion permits stem 24 to be fully inserted into cavity 26 until locking member 32 is seated in opening 28. The material of socket member 22 then returns or retracts to its original shape. Preferably, the material for socket member 22 is a plastic that can expand but is not readily distorted. As a result, once locking member 32 is seated in opening 28 the resulting connection is non-detachable to result in a permanent mechanical attachment of toothbrush head 14 to handle 12. Locking member 32 may be considered as a snap button which preferably has an inclined outer surface 34 to act as a earning surface to facilitate the movement of stem 24 into cavity 26. Preferably, cavity 26 is of a tapered shape tapering inwardly away from outer edge 31. Similarly, stem 24 is of the same or complementary tapered shape tapering inwardly away from shoulder 30. Preferably the tapered shape of stem 24 and of cavity 26 is non-circular to facilitate proper registry of locking member 32 with opening 28. As best shown in Figure 2 when locking member 32 is fully seated in opening 28 in the locked condition, locking member 32 is totally confined within opening 28 and does not extend outwardly beyond the outer surface of socket member 22. Figure 3A shows a modified form of connection mechanism. As shown therein stem 22A is provided with a plurality such as two openings 28A,28A. Similarly, stem 24A has a corresponding number of locking members 32A. Stem 24A would be inserted into cavity 26A in the same manner as described with respect to Figure 3. With the embodiment of Figure 3A, however, the locking would be achieved by having both locking members 32A,32A seated in the respective openings 28A.28A in toothbrush 10A.

Figures 4-6 show a variation of a toothbrush 10B in accordance with this invention. As best shown in Figure 6 the socket member 22B has a pair of offset openings 28B,28B. Stem 24B has a Z-shaped outer surface resulting in a pair of shoulders 36,36 which are of a size, shape and location to be firmly seated in openings 28B,28B when stem 24B is fully inserted in cavity 26B.

While Figures 1-6 illustrate practices of the invention wherein the head and handle are mounted together in a manually operated toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced where the toothbrush 10D, such as shown in Figure 7, includes a movable section 38 which would have cleaning elements in addition to the cleaning elements 16 on the head 1 D.

Where the invention is practiced with the head including one or more power or electrically operated moving sections 38 the drive for the moving section could be achieved in any suitable manner. For example, handle 12D may include batteries and a motor. The motor shaft or an extension of the motor shaft may extend through the stem and could connect with a shaft extension disposed at socket. The movable section 38 may oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section may oscillate in and out in a direction toward and away from the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rock back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rotate continuously in the same direction, rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used for imparting the desired motion to the movable section. Where plural movable sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same type and direction of movement, or combinations of different movements may be used.

Where movable section 38 is oscillated rotationally a drive mechanism of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 5,625,916 could be used or where movable section 38 moves in and out a drive mechanism of the type described in U.S. Patent No. Re35,941 could be used. All of the details of both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Alternatively, the other types of drives referred to above could move section 38 in other manners and directions. Although Figure 7 shows movable section 38 to be at the distal end of head 1 D the movable section(s) could be located at any other desired location on the head 1 D.

Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning elements on the head. The term "cleaning elements" is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross- sectional shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block.

It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while various figures illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the head some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface of the head. It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits, like enhanced cleaning tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums.

As is readily apparent the connection mechanism provides for the ability to mass produce large quantities of handles and heads having different characteristics. The sets of handles and heads could then be permanently secured together in a quick and efficient manner by selecting the appropriate handles and heads and then snapping them together.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A toothbrush comprising an elongated handle, a head separate and distinct from said handle, cleaning elements on said head, a connection mechanism securing said head to said handle, said connection mechanism including a socket member integral with one of said handle and said head, a stem integral with the other of said handle and said head, said socket member having a cavity for receiving said stem, an opening on the inner surface of said socket member in said cavity, a locking member on the outer surface of said stem, said socket member being expandable under pressure, and said stem and said cavity being of a size and shape whereby said stem is insertable into said cavity to cause said socket to expand sufficiently until said locking member is seated in said opening to non-detachably secure said head to said handle.

2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said cavity and said outer surface of said stem are of complementary size and shape to form a tight fit when said locking member is seated in said opening.

3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said complementary shape is of non- circular cross-section.

4. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said cavity and said outer surface of said stem are tapered in a complementary manner.

5. The toothbrush of claim 4 wherein said locking member has an inclined outer surface to function as a cam.

6. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said opening extends completely through the wall of said socket member.

7. The toothbrush of claim 6 wherein said locking member is totally confined within said opening without projecting beyond the outer surface of said socket member when said locking member is seated in said opening.

8. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said socket member includes a plurality of said openings, and said stem includes a corresponding plurality of said locking members.

9. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein there are two of said openings and two of said locking members diametrically offset from each other.

10. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said stem includes a Z-shaped portion which comprises said locking member.

11. The toothbrush of claim 10 wherein said socket member includes a second opening diametrically offset from said opening, and said outer surface of said stem includes two diametrically opposed Z-shaped portions to comprise two of said locking members.

12. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said stem is integral with an outwardly extending shoulder, said socket member having an outer end which is snugly disposed against said shoulder when said locking member is seated in said opening, and said toothbrush having a smooth continuous outer surface at the junction of said shoulder and said socket member outer end.

13. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said socket member is integral with said head, and said stem is integral with said handle.

14. A method of making a toothbrush comprising forming a plurality of handles, forming a plurality of heads separate and distinct from the handles with each head having a plurality of cleaning elements, providing a connecting mechanism on each of the handles and each of the heads, each connecting mechanism including a socket member integral with either a handle or a head and a stem integral with the other of the handle or the head, the socket member having a cavity and an opening on its inner surface, the stem having a locking member on its outer surface, the socket member being made of a material which is expandable under pressure, the cavity and the outer surface of the stem being of generally complementary size and shape, selecting one of the heads and one of the handles for securement to each other, inserting the stem of the selected handle/head into the cavity to cause the socket member of the selected handle/head to expand under the pressure of insertion until the locking member becomes seated in the opening, and permitting the socket member to return toward its original condition to permanently secure the selected head to the selected handle.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the head and handle are permanently secured together by a single locking member and single opening.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the head and handle are permanently secured together by a pair of locking members and a pair of openings.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein there are two of the openings located on the inner surface of the socket member offset from each other and wherein the outer surface of the stem includes two Z-shaped portions which function as locking members, and inserting the Z-shaped portions into the offset openings.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the stem is located on the handle and the socket member is located on the head, a shoulder being disposed around the stem on the handle, the socket member terminating in an outer edge of complementary size and shape to the shoulder, and disposing the shoulder against the outer edge of the socket member to form a toothbrush having a smooth continuous outer surface in the area of the connection of the head to the handle.