Toilet – Toilet kit – Including toothbrush
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-05-15
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Toilet kit
Including toothbrush
C015S167100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230717
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to oral hygiene and more particularly to an improved device for cleaning teeth, gums and the like.
Conventional devices for oral cleansing have ranged from the traditional manual toothbrush to electronic devices. For instance, electric toothbrushes such as those with axial and lateral oscillating brushes have been used to simulate the up and down, back and forth strokes of a manual toothbrush. These devices are typically powered by rechargeable, though somewhat short-lived, battery packs and/or tethered electrical cords. While useful for removing debris from the sides of the teeth, they have been found less effective between teeth, under the gums, and around irregularly shaped teeth. User skill and flossing therefore remain essential for optimum oral hygiene. Moreover, their relative weight, cost, degree of reliability and safety considerations have made these conventional devices considerably less successful than the manual toothbrush.
Pressurized water jets have also been used as an alternative to the manual toothbrush. Typically, a probe is provided that emits a stream of water under relatively high pressure, the probe being connected to a water storage cell or reservoir. Although generally effective, the velocity of water necessary for effective cleaning has also been found to damage gums and other oral tissues. Lower velocity water containing abrasives, plaque dissolving compounds or the like have also been utilized, though with increased cost and decreased practicality. Water probes have, in addition, been plagued with all of the drawbacks associated with electric toothbrushes.
Another method that has been found useful for cleaning teeth is the use of ultrasonics. In particular, an ultrasonic, wave emitting wand or probe is inserted in the user's mouth and rubbed gently against areas of the teeth to be cleaned. The ultrasonic waves cause the debris to break down and dislodge from tooth surfaces, allowing it to be readily rinsed from the user's mouth. While highly effective as compared to the other teeth cleaning methods, their expense, practicality and reliance on the skill of the user have hindered growth in its use. In addition, the long term effects of ultrasonics on tooth enamel and gums are generally unknown and are a concern to some users.
Despite the many technological advances in electronic teeth cleaning apparatus, the old fashioned, manual toothbrush remains the most popular method for cleaning teeth. This is believed due not only to its simplicity, practicality, disposability and cost, but also its many design innovations ranging from new bristle materials and patterns, to angled brush heads and contoured brush handles. Its effectiveness, however, still depends in large part, on the skill and vigilance of the user. Steadily increasing costs have lead most users to use the same toothbrush well beyond its intended design life. The resulting worn brush with characteristic bowed bristles is not only unsanitary, but also has significantly reduced debris removal capability, particularly for removal between teeth and below the gums.
A toothbrush is therefore desired which not only provides superior cleaning of teeth and gums with minimal effort of the user, but is also safe, practical, convenient and inexpensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention is a motorized toothbrush which comprises a housing with a handle portion, a neck portion and a head portion, at least one of the portions being constructed of a polymeric material. A brush head is rotatably mounted to the head portion, a variable, high speed motor being provided for effecting rotation of the brush head. The neck portion includes a bend for orienting the brush head generally at right angles to the handle portion for selected engagement of a user's teeth. A worm gear and flex joint assembly is provided for coupling the motor to the brush head and effecting rotation thereof. The motor is powered by a lithium-based DC power source. Rotation of the brush head is actuated in at least two power settings using a variable speed power control device.
According to another aspect of the present invention is a motorized toothbrush which comprises a housing with a handle portion, a neck portion and a head portion, at least one of the portions being constructed of a polymeric material. A concave profiled brush head is rotatably mounted to the head portion, a variable, high speed motor being provided for effecting rotation of the brush head. The neck portion has a bend for orienting the brush head generally at a right angle to the handle portion for selected engagement of a user's teeth. A worm gear and flex joint assembly is provided for coupling the motor to the brush head and effecting rotation thereof. The motor is powered by a lithium-based DC power source. Rotation of the brush head is actuated in at least two power settings using a variable speed power control device. The device includes an adjustable gear reducer for effecting first and second brush head speeds, respectively.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention is a method of cleaning a user's teeth using a motorized toothbrush, which comprises the steps of:
(i) inserting a head portion of the toothbrush in the user's mouth, the toothbrush comprising a housing with the head portion, a handle portion and a neck portion, at least one of the portions being constructed of a polymeric material, a brush head being rotatably mounted to the head portion, and the neck portion having a bend for orienting the brush head generally at a right angle to the handle portion for selected engagement of a user's teeth;
(ii) engaging a high speed motor in the handle portion for effecting rotation of the brush head at a selected speed, a worm gear and flex joint assembly coupling the motor to the brush head for effecting rotation thereof, and a lithium-based DC power source for operating the motor, engagement being effected using a variable speed power control device for actuating rotation of the brush head in at least two power settings;
(iii) placing the rotating brush head in contact with at least one of the user's teeth for a selected time;
(iv) removing the head portion from the user's mouth; and
(v) disengaging the high speed motor.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of cleaning a user's teeth using a motorized toothbrush which includes a housing with a head portion, a handle portion and a neck portion, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) engaging a high speed motor in a handle portion of the toothbrush for effecting rotation of a brush head in the head portion of the toothbrush at a selected speed, at least one of the portions being constructed of a polymeric material, a worm gear and flex joint assembly coupling the motor to the brush head for effecting rotation thereof; and a lithium-based DC power source for operating the motor, engagement being effected using a variable speed power control device for actuating rotation of the brush head in at least two power settings;
(ii) inserting the head portion of the toothbrush in the user's mouth, a brush head being rotatably mounted to the head portion, and the neck portion having a bend for orienting the brush head generally at a right angle to the handle portion for selected engagement of a user's teeth;
(iii) placing the rotating brush head in contact with at least one of the user's teeth for a selected time;
(iv) disengaging the high speed motor; and
(v) removing the brush head from the user's mouth.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in combination, a motorized toothbrush and stand. The toothbrush comprises a housing with a handle portion, a neck portion and a head portion, at least one of the portions being constructed of a polymeric material. A brush head is rotatably mounted to the head portion, a variable, high speed motor being prov
Marx Alvin J.
Tarlow Kenneth A.
Manahan Todd #E.
Marx Alvin J.
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Pollack Grant E.
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