Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Brush or broom
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-18
2001-10-02
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Brush or broom
C015S143100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295686
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to toothbrushes for performing dental hygiene functions. More particularly, the invention relates to flexible toothbrushes that resist being fashioned into and used as a weapon.
2. Background Information
The state of the art in general includes various toothbrushes that typically have a plastic handle of about five inches in length and a width of 0.3 inches that are typically formed of polyethylene or polypropylene. These handles can be abraded into relatively sharp and dangerous weapons, and pose a significant safety problem for those who may endanger themselves or others, including the developmentally and physically impaired and the incarcerated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,784 shows a toothbrush handle structure that is constructed of polypropylene with significant open cutouts in the length of the handle. The handle is made with two or more parallel frame members which are cross connected at spaced locations. The handle has multiple open space cutouts that are claimed to reduce the ability of the handle to be abraded and sharpened into a point.
Applicant's invention provides a flexible toothbrush handle which is believed to constitute an improvement over existing technology.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a flexible toothbrush which generally comprises a body. Structurally, the body has a head portion that contains bristles, a neck portion, and a handle portion. The neck portion has a smaller width than the head portion and the handle portion, allowing the neck portion to flex more readily upon the application of a force. Further, the dimensions of the handle are such that it will readily flex upon the application of the force.
The body is formed from a flexible material such as a thermoplastic rubber. Shell Chemical's Kraton™ polymers are thermoplastic elastomers that are characterized as elastic, flexible, and easy to process in economical thermoplastic processing methods. Used in high enough concentrations as an additive, Kraton polymers improve the flexibility, softness, elasticity and feel of certain plastics. The brush of the present invention preferably comprises approximately 50% polypropylene and approximately 50% Kraton polymers.
The features, benefits and objects of this invention will become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4520526 (1985-06-01), Peters
patent: 4691404 (1987-09-01), Tarrson
patent: 5146645 (1992-09-01), Dirksing
patent: 5272784 (1993-12-01), Levin
patent: 5488751 (1996-02-01), Gekhter
patent: 5735012 (1998-04-01), Heinzelman
patent: 5758383 (1998-06-01), Hohlbein
patent: 5815874 (1998-10-01), Weihrauch
patent: 5903949 (1999-05-01), Halm
patent: 5946759 (1999-09-01), Cann
Shell Chemicals, Material Safety Data Sheet, MSDS No. 2.863, Product: Kraton DRP6031 Thermoplastic Rubber, Chemical Name: Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene Block Copolymer.
Shell Chemicals, Kraton Polymers, page from Shell Chemical's website http:/www2.shellchemical.com, printed on Jul. 21, 1999.
Shell Chemicals, Kraton D Polymers, page from Shell Chemical's website http:/www2.shellchemical.com, printed on Jul. 21, 1999.
Shell Chemicals, Kraton G Polymers, page from Shell Chemical's website http:/www2.shellchemical.com, printed on Jul. 21, 1999.
Chin Randall E.
PHB
Skinner and Associates
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