Toothbrush

Details Toothbrush Toothbrush

1997-10-29

1999-05-18

Till, Terrence R.

Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning

Implements

Brush or broom

151431, 15172, 151441, A46B9/04

Patent

active

059039493

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toothbrushes, in particular to toothbrushes having a flexible region between the head and the handle.
Toothbrushes are known in which there is a flexible region, or a flexibility-modifying region, between the head and the handle. One type of such a toothbrush is disclosed in EP 0336641 A in which there is an integral region of "V"-shaped folds between the head and the handle, of which the flexibility may be modified by mans of a longitudinal core of the plastics material of which the toothbrush is made. Another type of such a toothbrush is disclosed in DE 39 23 495 A, in which there are a series of laterally oriented slots in the handle, filled with an elastomeric material so as to modify the flexibility. WO 92117093 discloses a toothbrush in which the flexibility of the head is modified by the presence of lateral slots filled with an elastomer, and WO 92/17092 discloses a toothbrush in which a flexible link is formed between the head and neck by a cut out, extending between the head and neck, and filled with an elastomer.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a modified, improved, version of such a toothbrush, in which such a folded region is made more effective in modifying the flexibility of the toothbrush, in a construction which enables a folded region of more precisely defined flexibility to be constructed.
According to this invention a toothbrush is provided having a head and a handle having a grip portion, disposed along a longitudinal axis, the head having bristles extending from a face thereof ("the bristle face") in a general bristle direction, between the grip portion and the head of the toothbrush there being an integral region of folds having a fold axis in a direction lateral to the longitudinal axis, one or more limbs of the folds being penetrated by an elastomeric material which passes through an aperture in the limb, characterised by the elastomeric material being exposed on both sides of the penetrated limb.
The invention enables the folded region to be in effect a composite structure of the toothbrush head, handle and fold material, which is preferable a mouldable plastics material, and an elastomeric material. This enables an improved degree of control of the flexibility of the folded region relative to a folded region made without the elastomeric material, e.g. entirely of plastics material. The construction also enables the toothbrush to have an improved degree of flexibility about flex axes such as torsional flexibility.
The fold axis is defined as the axis between the limbs of the folds and extending perpendicular to the plane in which the folds lie. The folds may be substantially "V" or "U" shaped, so that two of such folds joined end to end form a substantially "W" or "S" shaped folded region. The fold axis is preferably in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, and also to the general bristle direction. The folded region may for example include between two and seven, preferably five of such folds, on longitudinally alternating sides of the longitudinal axis, in the general manner of the toothbrush of EP 0336641 A.
Preferably all of the limbs are penetrated by the elastomeric material, such that the elastomeric material forms a longitudinal core extending the entire length of the folded region. The aperture(s) in the penetrated fold(s), and hence the elastomeric material in the aperture, may correspond in cross sectional shape to the cross sectional shape of the toothbrush in the penetrated region. The penetrated region is preferably generally quadrilateral, e.g. rectangular or square, which may have rounded corners. The dimensions of the aperture may be a substantial proportion of the cross sectional dimensions of the limb, for example 25% or more, e.g. 50% or more of the width of the limb.
At either or both ends of the folded region the elastomeric material may extend longitudinally beyond the folded region. The elastomeric material

REFERENCES:
patent: 4829621 (1989-05-01), Phenegar
patent: 5052071 (1991-10-01), Halm
patent: 5054154 (1991-10-01), Schiffer et al.
patent: 5488751 (1996-02-01), Gekhter et al.
patent: 5673452 (1997-10-01), Chang et al.
patent: 5735012 (1998-04-01), Heinzelman et al.

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