Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Brush or broom
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-01-30
Graham, Gary K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Brush or broom
C015SDIG005, C015S207200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178583
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to toothbrushes, and more particularly, to toothbrushes having extended bristles. Moreover, the present invention also relates to toothbrushes which exhibit a three-dimensional bristle profile.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The fundamental purpose of toothbrushes is to remove plaque and debris from tooth surfaces, both along their outer surfaces and in the inter proximal areas as well as provide gum and inter dental stimulation. There is a continuing desire to improve the inter proximal cleaning of toothbrushes, especially since many consumers do not floss. Moreover there is an additional desire to provide a toothbrush which will signal to the user that the bristles are reaching inter-proximally so that the consumer can immediately notice the improved cleaning properties of the toothbrush. While most commercially available toothbrushes clean the outer surfaces of teeth adequately toothbrushes having a three-dimensional or “V” shaped profile, when viewed from the side, render the toothbrush particularly adept at cleansing and stimulation.
However, the search for a toothbrush having superior inter proximal cleaning has not ended. There has been a desire to improve the cleaning properties of both ordinary, i.e. flat, toothbrushes and toothbrushes having a “V” shaped bristle profile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a toothbrush which provides superior cleaning as well as superior gum and inter dental stimulation. The toothbrush has an elongate member extending between two ends. The elongate member has a head at one of its ends. The head has a plurality of tufts comprising a multiplicity of primary bristles. The primary bristles have proximal ends attached to the head and distal ends extending outwardly from the head. The head further includes a predetermined number of extended bristles having proximal ends attached to the head and distal ends extending from the head at a distance at least 0.5 mm above all of the distal ends of the primary bristles. Alternatively, the tufts of bristles may include a predetermined number of secondary bristles which are stiffer than the primary bristles, and which may be of a different length, color, diameter, material, or cross-sectional shape than that of the primary bristles.
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Eight pages of sketches illustrating various brushes and a photograph of a toothbrush marketed by Lion Corporation.
Article entitled “Quality Testing the Ends of Bristles of Toothbrushes for Children” by C. Kockapan and W.E. Wetzel and “Translation of Quality Testing the Ends of Bristles of Toothbrushes for Children”.
Graham Gary K.
Nichols Vanessa M.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Vago James C.
LandOfFree
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