Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Display with special effects – Electromotor operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-11
2001-10-16
Davis, Cassandra H. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Display with special effects
Electromotor operated
C040S423000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301814
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a display for a flexible head toothbrush. The display is especially useful in advertising toothbrushes in such a maimer as to attract and inform consumers of how the toothbrush functions in use.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, flexible head toothbrushes have come on the market. One such toothbrush is sold under the trade name “Aquafresh Flex Tip,” sold by SmithKline Beecham. A distinguishing feature of such toothbrush is that the bristled head is segmented by a flexible and resilient hinge. The hinge permits the tip of the toothbrush head to flex during use, thereby following the contours of a user's teeth.
The retail market for toothbrushes is very competitive, and often, the differences between competing products are not easily ascertainable by consumers. Further, consumers tend to purchase toothbrushes impulsively at the point of sale, rather than researching competing products and comparing their features. Thus, the window of opportunity for a toothbrush manufacturer to attract consumers and persuade them to purchase a product is narrow. These factors make it difficult for manufacturers to describe differences and convey advantages of a particular toothbrush over competing products.
This difficulty is somewhat compounded with flexible head toothbrushes since the consumer may not readily appreciate how the brush functions by merely viewing the product in its package. Thus, while many toothbrush manufacturers use motionless displays to advertise their products at the point of sale, such a display would have limited benefit in highlighting the distinguishing features of a flexible head toothbrush and conveying to the consumer how the product works. In addition, while motionless toothbrush displays may be somewhat informative, they are not particularly effective in catching the attention of consumers during the short window of opportunity for impulse purchases.
In contrast, the present invention is effective in catching the attention of purchasers, demonstrating how the product works, identifying a point of distinction with competing products, and conveying advantages of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a display for a flexible head toothbrush including a first representation of a first bristled portion of a toothbrush head, a second representation of a second bristled portion of the toothbrush head, and a mechanical linkage that interconnects the first representation with the second representation. The mechanical linkage imparts relative motion between the two portions of the toothbrush head to simulate a flexing motion. Preferably, the relative motion is pivotal and oscillatory.
In a preferred embodiment, the second representation depicts a tip end of the toothbrush head, and the first representation depicts at least a portion of a remainder of the toothbrush head. Further, the mechanical linkage preferably includes a motor capable of imparting relative motion between the second representation and first representation. The mechanical linkage may include an electromagnet motor powered by a solar cell.
In the preferred embodiment, the display also includes a third representation of at least a portion of a toothbrush handle. The third representation extends from the first representation in a direction away from the second representation. The third representation may depict a straight toothbrush handle, a curved toothbrush handle, a flexible toothbrush handle, or the like.
Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, at least one of the first representation, second representation, third representation, and mechanical linkage are mounted on a support. The support may be a holder for at least one actual toothbrush. Preferably, the support includes at least one shelf that holds at least one actual toothbrush.
The invention effectively catches the attention of consumers by providing a motion display for a bristled toothbrush head. Relative motion between the first representation of the first bristled portion of the toothbrush head and the second representation of the second bristled portion of the toothbrush head simulates how the product actually works in use. The relative motion imparted by the invention also identifies a point of distinction with competing products, conveys advantages of the product, and catches consumer attention.
These and other features and advantages will be described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.
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Davis Cassandra H.
Kinzig Charles M.
Nora Stein-Fernandez
SmithKline Beecham Corporation
Venetianer Stephen A.
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