Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Brushing
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-29
2003-12-02
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Brushing
C015S022100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06654979
ABSTRACT:
The present invention concerns an electric toothbrush comprising a handle and a head, characterised in that the head has a rubbery cleaning element.
Electric toothbrushes are well known in the art and typically comprise a motor element housed within the brush handle and a head, which is usually replaceable.
Most electric brushes effect cleaning by rapidly moving the brush head (hereinafter known as oscillating brushes) but some merely vibrate (hereinafter known as vibrating brushes).
There is a multitude of oscillating brushes on the market and some have particular oscillating patterns, e.g. longitudinally oscillating elements, or they may have multiple brush heads, such as the one marketed by Phillips under the tradename ‘Plaque Remover ®’, which comprises a rotating head and a laterally oscillating array of bristles distal to the brush handle.
An example of a vibrating brush is sold by J&J under the tradename ‘Powerbrush®’.
Manual brushes with rubbery bristles are well-known in the prior art and may provide a polishing, cleaning or gum managing benefit. For example, WO 98/22000 (Asher) discloses a brush comprising at least one plaque removing member which is surrounded by a plurality of bristles.
In our co-pending application GB 9912923.1 we describe a brush comprising a housing for a motor and a brush head which is flexible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
We have found that the benefits provided by a brush head comprising a rubbery cleaning element can be greatly enhanced if provided on an electric toothbrush.
An object of the present invention is to provide a cheap electric toothbrush, which provides an improved cleaning benefit.
We have found that an electric toothbrush can provide an improvement upon the prior art when the brush head comprises rubbery cleaning elements.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2117174 (1938-05-01), Jones
patent: 3195537 (1965-07-01), Blasi
patent: 3509874 (1970-05-01), Stillman
patent: 4277862 (1981-07-01), Weideman
patent: 4827551 (1989-05-01), Maser et al.
patent: 4913133 (1990-04-01), Tichy
patent: 5283921 (1994-02-01), Ng
patent: 5497526 (1996-03-01), Klinkhammer
patent: 5604951 (1997-02-01), Shipp
patent: 5628082 (1997-05-01), Moskovich
patent: 5689850 (1997-11-01), Shekalim
patent: 5700146 (1997-12-01), Kucar
patent: 5735011 (1998-04-01), Asher
patent: 2 311 043 (1974-09-01), None
patent: 0 360 766 (1990-03-01), None
patent: 0 435 329 (1991-07-01), None
Chin Randall E.
Honig Milton L.
Unilever Home & Personal Care USA a division of Conopco, Inc.
LandOfFree
Electric toothbrush does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electric toothbrush, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electric toothbrush will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3170539