US20050189000A1 - Flosser with motor integrated with vibrating head - Google Patents
Flosser with motor integrated with vibrating head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050189000A1 US20050189000A1 US11/021,914 US2191404A US2005189000A1 US 20050189000 A1 US20050189000 A1 US 20050189000A1 US 2191404 A US2191404 A US 2191404A US 2005189000 A1 US2005189000 A1 US 2005189000A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- flosser
- handle
- motor
- flossing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
- A61C17/34—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor
- A61C17/3409—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating driven by electric motor characterized by the movement of the brush body
- A61C17/3481—Vibrating brush body, e.g. by using eccentric weights
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/225—Handles or details thereof
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/24—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like rotating continuously
- A61C17/26—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like rotating continuously driven by electric motor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C17/00—Devices for cleaning, polishing, rinsing or drying teeth, teeth cavities or prostheses; Saliva removers; Dental appliances for receiving spittle
- A61C17/16—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices
- A61C17/22—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like
- A61C17/32—Power-driven cleaning or polishing devices with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like reciprocating or oscillating
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. 119, of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/261,515 entitled “Toothbrush with Motor Integrated with Vibrating Head,” filed Jan. 12, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- This invention relates to a powered toothbrush, and more specifically relates to a powered toothbrush having a vibrating toothbrush head isolated from the main handle.
- Typically, electric toothbrushes include a motor in the handle which drives a motion-creating mechanism, which in turn causes the toothbrush head to vibrate during use. The vibration of the head enhances the cleaning of one's teeth.
- Often times, however, the vibration caused by the motor not only vibrates the brush head, but also vibrates the handle. Some users are annoyed by large vibrations of the handle. In addition, excessive vibration of the handle is an indication of an inefficient drive system which expends energy to drive not only the brush head but also the handle.
- It is with these shortcomings in mind that embodiments of the invention have been developed.
- According to one aspect of one embodiment of the invention, disclosed herein is a toothbrush which includes a handle, a brush shaft, a brush head with bristles, vibratory means for causing the brush head and the bristles to vibrate, and vibration isolation means for reducing the transfer of vibrations from the vibratory means to the handle.
- In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a toothbrush includes a vibratory source (i.e., a motor) located in or near the brush head, and in order to reduce vibrations in the handle of a toothbrush, the portion of the toothbrush which contains the vibratory source is vibrationally isolated from the rest of the structure of the toothbrush.
- In one embodiment, the brush head and brush shaft are vibrationally isolated from the handle by positioning the vibration isolation means between the vibratory means and the handle. In this embodiment, the vibratory means can be located anywhere along the brush shaft, or in the brush head.
- In another embodiment, the vibratory source is located inside the brush head such that the vibratory source and brush head are vibrationally isolated from the brush shaft and the handle. Alternatively, the vibratory source is located inside the brush head such that the vibratory source and brush head are vibrationally isolated from the brush shaft and handle by locating an isolation structure at the brush shaft/handle intersection.
- In addition, the brush shaft, which generally extends between the handle and the brush head, could be a flexible member which forms the vibration isolation structure between the brush head and motor from the shaft.
- In one embodiment, the motor is driven by electricity supplied from a battery positioned in the handle. The battery can be replaceable or rechargeable. Wires may run from the battery through the handle, through an on/off switch, through the brush shaft, and to the location where the motor is located in order to supply the motor with electricity.
- The features, utilities and advantages of the various embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a side view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is a side section view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the handle portion of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a front section view taken along line 6-6 ofFIG. 13 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a side section view taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 13 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the motor shaft of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 9 is a top view of the motor shaft illustrated inFIG. 8 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 10 is a front view of the motor shaft illustrated inFIG. 8 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is a side view of the motor shaft illustrated inFIG. 8 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 12 is a side section view taken along line 12-12 inFIG. 10 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 13 is an enlarged section view of the isolation structure in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 14 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 15 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 16 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 17 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 18 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 19 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 20 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 22 is a side view of the end cap of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the end cap ofFIG. 22 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 24 is a side view of a motor shaft cap, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 25 is a front view of a brush head cover, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 26 is a side section view taken along line 26-26 inFIG. 25 . -
FIG. 27 illustrates a flossing tip and head which may be used with an embodiment of the present invention. - Disclosed herein, in one embodiment, is a toothbrush with vibratory means that cause the toothbrush head to vibrate, and a vibration isolation structure for isolating from the toothbrush handle the vibrations caused by the vibratory means.
- Generally and as shown in the example of
FIG. 3 , an isolation structure orjoint 18 is located between the vibratory means (in one example, amotor 24 located within brush shaft 12) and thehandle 4. Theisolation structure 18 allows the portion of the toothbrush that includes the vibratory means to move in a vibrating manner independent of the handle or portions of the toothbrush on the side of the isolation structure opposite from the vibratory means. The purpose ofisolation structure 18 is to reduce, modify, minimize, or attenuate the amount of vibration felt inhandle 4 caused by the vibratory means 24 vibrating in brush shaft 12 (or elsewhere), while permitting thebrush shaft 12 and thebristles 16 to move or vibrate. - Referring now to
FIGS. 1-2 , the exterior of one embodiment of atoothbrush 2 is shown. Toothbrush 2 includes ahandle 4, anend cap 6 attached to one end of the handle, and abrush shaft 12 attached to anend 8 of the handle opposite theend cap 6. Abrush head 14 is attached to the end of thebrush shaft 12, andbristles 16 extend outwardly from a surface of thebrush head 14. Brushshaft 12 andbrush head 14 may be integrally formed. Thebrush shaft 12 is attached to handle 4 about a motor shaft 28 (FIG. 3 ) connected atisolation structure 18, in one example. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-2 , a slight gap orannular spacing 20 is defined around theisolation structure 18 between thebrush shaft 12 and handle 4 to allowbrush shaft 12 to move with respect to handle 4 in a vibratory manner. -
FIG. 3 is a representational cross-sectional view of one embodiment oftoothbrush 2 and shows the internal mechanisms thereof. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , abattery 10 is positioned insidehandle 4. The battery supplies energy to vibratory means located in the brush head via wire leads 23 a,b. The base orend cap 6 is attached to an end of thehandle 4 to hold the battery inside the handle.End cap 6 can be taken offhandle 4 to allow thebattery 10 to be replaced.End cap 6 also may act as an on/off switch to control the actuation of themotor 24. - As shown in
FIGS. 3-4 ,brush shaft 12 attaches to anopposite end 26 ofhandle 4 aboutmotor shaft 28 positioned insidebrush shaft 12.Bristle tufts 16 are attached to brushhead 14 in a known manner. -
FIGS. 5-7 show handle 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Generally, handle 4 is hollow and cylindrically shaped with a smaller diametertop end 26 and large diameterbottom end 8, in one example.Handle 4 defines an openlower end 8 which has a slightly larger diameter than an openupper end 26. As shown inFIGS. 6-7 ,axial recess 22 is formed withinhandle 4 fromtop end 26 tobottom end 8.Axial recess 22 is used to hold thebattery 10 or other power source and acts as a conduit for the electrical wire leads which are connected betweenpower source 10 and vibratory means 24 located elsewhere in the toothbrush. - In
FIG. 6 , adjacent thetop end 26 ofhandle 4 oninside walls 54 ofhandle 4 areannular grooves 52 for receiving O-rings 50 (FIG. 4 ) positioned about a portion ofmotor shaft 28. As described further below, a protrusion 86 (FIGS. 5-7 ) extends from topopen end 26 ofhandle 4 for ensuring thatmotor shaft 28,brush shaft 12 and handle 4 are properly oriented together. - Referring to FIGS. 4, 6-7, depending on the type of
end cap 6 used, the interior walls of thehandle 4 adjacent thebottom end 8 may include detents or threads for releasably securing the end cap to the bottom end of the handle. The front face ofhandle 4 may also include either an opening or adepressed area 90. The opening or depressed area may act as a recessed area adapted to a user's thumb, or may be configured as a control button for the device in another embodiment. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 3-4 , thebrush shaft 12 is positioned aboutmotor shaft 28 which is connected with openupper end 26 ofhandle 4. The brush shaft defines a housing which may be cylindrical and includes a closed upper end and open bottom end. The upper end of themotor shaft 28 is received within the open bottom end of the brush shaft. Vibratory means 24, such as a motor, are retained within the upper end of themotor shaft 28, in one example. - More specifically, open
upper end 26 ofhandle 4 is attached to brushshaft 12 throughmotor shaft 28.Isolation structure 18 is formed at the region between opentop end 26 ofhandle 4 andbottom end 44 ofmotor shaft 28. - In
FIG. 3 ,brush shaft 12 forms a housing along most of its length up tobrush head 14. Towards anend 30 ofbrush head 14,brush shaft 12 slims down to allow for convenient manipulation ofbrush head 14 in the user's mouth. -
Motor shaft 28 is received withinbrush shaft 12.Motor shaft 28 is generally long and cylindrical in shape with a cylindrical cavity or bare 42 extending from oneend 44 to the other 46 (FIG. 12 ). As shown inFIG. 4 , oneend 44 ofmotor shaft 28 is constructed to insert into opentop end 26 ofhandle 4 to connectmotor shaft 28 which forms isolation joint 18. Theother end 46 ofmotor shaft 28 defines amotor receiving cavity 48 for secure placement of vibratory means 24. -
FIGS. 8-12 show one example ofmotor shaft 28.Motor shaft 28 defines atop end 46 and abottom end 44. Referring toFIG. 12 , abore 42 runs axially throughtop end 46 tobottom end 44. As shown inFIG. 3 , theelectrical wires 23 a,b between thepower supply 10 andmotor 24 run through thisaxial bore 42. InFIG. 12 , the bore also defines acavity 48 for receiving vibratory means such as an eccentric motor. In at least one embodiment, the interior walls of themotor receiving cavity 48 includedetents protrusions 49 for securing the motor within thecavity 48. -
Bottom end 44 ofmotor shaft 28 is adapted to be attached to opentop end 26 ofhandle 4.Bottom end 44 ofmotor shaft 28 defines axially extendingfingers 60 that help engagebottom end 44 ofmotor shaft 28 withhandle 4. As shown inFIG. 11 ,bottom end 44 ofmotor shaft 28 also defines O-ring grooves 52 for receiving O-rings 50. Aflange 56 is defined annularly aroundmotor shaft 28. In one embodiment,flange 56 is narrowest at the top 80 and widest at the bottom 82, where it defines a key slot 84 (FIGS. 8, 9 , 10) for receiving theprotrusion 86 extending off opentop end 26 ofhandle 4. This ensures thatmotor shaft 28 and handle 4 are properly oriented together. Preferably, theprotrusion 86 is received in thekey slot 84 but does not physically contact the interior walls ofkey slot 84. - As shown in
FIG. 10 ,motor shaft 28 has a raisedridge 83, extending axially along the length ofmotor shaft 28. The interior wall ofbrush shaft 12 may have a notch, extending axially along a portion of the length of the brush shaft, to receive the raisedridge 83 of themotor shaft 28. The raised ridge and axial notch act to orient and guidebrush shaft 12 into proper relative position as a user placesbrush shaft 12 aboutmotor shaft 28. - Since
brush shaft 12 coversmotor shaft 28, and in combination is attached as described above to handle 4, by keyingmotor shaft 28 to handle 4 the proper orientation oftoothbrush 2 with respect to handle 4 is obtained.Protrusion 86 onhandle 4 extends axially fromside 88 ofhandle 4 where a thumb depression/on-off button 90 may be formed. - As mentioned above, a
flange 56 is formed onmotor shaft 28 above the innermost O-ring 50.Flange 56 is contacted bybottom 33 of brush shaft 12 (seeFIG. 4 ).Flange 56 helps keepbrush shaft 12 from being pushed too far out overmotor shaft 28, and also helps keepmotor shaft 28 from being pushed too far intohandle housing 4. - Referring to
FIG. 13 ,motor shaft 28 is retained within thehandle 4 by a snap fit structure, which in one embodiment acts as an isolation joint 18. Thefirst end 44 ofmotor shaft 28 defines flexible separatedfingers 60 extending axially from thefirst end 44 ofmotor shaft 28. Eachfinger 60 defines an outwardly extendingoverhang 62 that extends radially outwardly fromouter surface 64 ofmotor shaft 28 as defined between the pair of O-rings 50.Overhang 62 creates a slopedsurface 65 on an outer circumferential surface 66 offirst end 44 ofmotor shaft 28. The inside diameter ofhandle housing 4 is slightly smaller than the diameter measured from overhang to overhang on diametrically opposedflexible fingers 60. Thus whenmotor shaft 28 is inserted intohandle housing 4,flexible fingers 60 are flexed inwardly to allow a portion ofmotor shaft 28 to pass intorecess 22 inhandle housing 4. - In one embodiment, the inner diameter of
handle housing 4 abruptly increases to form ashoulder 68. When each of theoverhangs 62 on therespective fingers 60passes shoulder 68, thefingers 60 flex outwardly to their natural positions. Ifmotor shaft 28 is moved in a direction to try to extract it fromhandle housing 4,overhang 62 on each of theflexible fingers 60 engagesshoulder 68 and thus retainsmotor shaft 28 inhandle housing 4.Overhang 62 is however not large enough to withstand any substantial force, and if a sufficient extraction force is applied tomotor shaft 28, the motor shaft can be withdrawn fromhandle housing 4 since the extraction force could overcome the contact betweenoverhang 62 ofshoulder 68 and thus forceflexible fingers 60 to flex inwardly and allowmotor shaft 28 to be extracted. Nonetheless,overhang 62 andshoulder 68 do engage sufficiently to keep and retainmotor shaft 28 inhandle housing 4 under normal use conditions. In one embodiment,overhang 62 on eachflexible finger 60 acts as a side wall for the O-ring groove 52 formed atfirst end 44 ofmotor shaft 28. - Generally, with respect to the positioning of vibratory means 24 in
toothbrush 2, in one embodiment vibratory means 24 is positioned close tobrush head 14, and possibly even inbrush head 14, to maximize the effect of the vibratory means's vibrating motion. As shown inFIG. 3 , when thebrush shaft 12 is positioned aboutmotor shaft 28, the vibrating vibratory means 24 is positioned withinbrush shaft 12adjacent brush head 14. In one example, vibratory means 24 is positionedadjacent brush head 14, and not inbrush head 14, so that there is sufficient room inbrush head 14 to position bristletufts 16, as well as needing to have a slim shapedbrush head 14 for accessibility in one's mouth. However, as smaller vibratory means become available, its contemplated that vibratory means 24 could be positioned insidebrush head 14 to efficiently drivebrush head 14 as described herein. For example, a piezo-electric type of vibration motor may be positioned inbrush head 14. - In one embodiment, vibratory means 24 includes an eccentric motor which rotates an off center weight attached thereto. One motor which may be used for creating the vibration is a Jinglong Co. model OTL-6CL or equivalent. The OTL-6CL model is generally a 1.3V DC motor. However, any motor suitable for creating vibration that has a small enough size and can be powered by a battery the size of an AA battery or the like could be used. Off-
center weight motor 24 provides a magnitude of tip motion (approximately 0.02 inches in the x and y directions) for brushing purposes, in one example. - In one embodiment, the vibrations generated by the vibratory means selected may cause the brush head to vibrate in a substantially orbital motion. However, in other embodiments, the vibrations generated by the vibratory means selected may cause the brush head to vibrate in any type of motion suitable for cleaning teeth including axial, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and circular motions.
- As illustrated in
FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the isolationjoint structure 18 is formed at the connection point of the motor shaft end and the top open end of the handle. Thebottom end 44 of themotor shaft 28 is received within the topopen end 26 of thehandle 4 to form the isolationjoint structure 18, in one embodiment. The isolationjoint structure 18 illustrated inFIG. 13 includes a pair of O-rings 50 positioned atend 44 ofmotor shaft 28 and received inside opentop end 26 ofhandle 4. O-rings 50 are resilient and flexible, and thus allow motor shaft 28 (and thus brush shaft 12) to move under the influence of vibratory means in a relatively isolated manner, such motion being relatively independent ofhandle 4. Theamount brush shaft 12 moves separately fromhandle 4 depends on the resiliency and dampening characteristics of isolationjoint structure 18. In one embodiment of the present invention, isolationjoint structure 18 includes an O-ring 50 positioned withinannular grove 52 ofmotor shaft 28, a second O-ring 50 positioned within a secondannular groove 52 spaced away from the first O-ring 50. The O-ringannular grooves 52 are formed in thewall 54 ofhandle housing 4 to respectively receive the O-rings 50 onend 44 ofmotor shaft 28. Theend 44 ofmotor shaft 28 having the O-rings 50 is inserted intohandle housing 4, and the O-rings 50 are located in theirrespective grooves 52. - In
FIG. 13 ,first end 44 ofmotor shaft 28 is shown received intop end 26 ofhandle housing 4. Again, isolationjoint structure 18 is formed by the engagement of the O-rings 50 positioned onfirst end 44 ofmotor shaft 28 in the O-ring channels 52 formed ininner wall 54 ofhandle housing 4. In one embodiment,motor shaft 28 does not physically contact directly handlehousing 4, and is spaced away fromhandle housing 4 by the O-rings 50. The isolation joint structurally isolates the brush shaft and motor shaft from the handle, meaning that there is no direct connection between the handle and those parts meant to vibrate. If the O-rings 50 are flexible and resilient,motor shaft 28 can move to some extent both in a vibrating manner (radially, circularly, or any other type of movement caused by drive motor 24), and/or in somewhat of an axial manner with respect to handle 4. - The purpose of isolation
joint structure 18 is to reduce, modify, minimize, or attenuate the amount of vibration felt inhandle 4 whenmotor 24 is vibrating in brush shaft 12 (or elsewhere) and causingbristles 16 to move. Isolation joint 18 betweenmotor shaft 28 and handle 4 can include several different vibration dampening and elimination structures. Any type of isolation joint 18 that accomplishes this is contemplated by this invention, and could include a single or multiplecylindrical bushings 70spacing brush shaft 12 fromhandle housing 4, such as that shown inFIGS. 14 and 15 . - In
FIG. 14 ,brush shaft 12 is inserted in and retained inrecess 22 ofhousing 4 by bushing 70 to form an isolation joint 18. It is contemplated that the bushing will be constructed of a vibration dampening material to absorb the vibration from the vibration means 24 contained in thebrush head 14 orbrush shaft 12. The embodiment ofFIG. 14 will allow thebrush shaft 12 andbrush head 14 to vibrate relatively independently of the handle. - In another embodiment in
FIG. 15 , handle 4 is inserted in and retained withinbrush shaft 12 by bushing 70 to form an isolation joint 18. Similar to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 14 , thebushing 70 is included to absorb the vibration from the vibration means 24 contained in thebrush head 14 orbrush shaft 12. Also, thevibration dampening bushing 70 will allow thebrush shaft 12 andbrush head 14 to vibrate relatively independently of thehandle 4. Although the circumference of the handle illustrated inFIG. 15 is substantially smaller than that of the brush shaft, it is contemplated that the circumference of thehandle 4 will expand along the length of the handle away from thebushing 70. - In another embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 16 , isolation joint 18 could be aflexible section 72 positioned inbrush head 14 or handle 4 so long as theflexible section 72 is positioned between and structurally isolatesmotor 24 andhandle 4.Flexible section 72 can be made out of rubber, elastomer, or any kind of vibration dampening material suitable for the purpose. - Referring to another embodiment in
FIG. 17 , the entire brush shaft 12 (and motor shaft 28) could be made of a flexible material withmotor 24 mounted therein, with a section of brush shaft 12 (including motor shaft 28) betweenmotor 24 and handle 4 acting as the isolation joint 18.Flexible brush shaft 12 could be made of any type of elastomer or such material as would allow for flexible vibratory motion as a result of motor 24 (or other type of vibratory drive motor). Theentire brush shaft 12 could be flexible or only sections thereof. -
FIGS. 18-20 show the vibratory means 24 and isolation joint 18 located on various portions of a toothbrush. InFIG. 18 , the vibratory means 24 are located inbrush head 14 and the isolation joint 18 is located at base 40 ofbrush head 14. The design inFIG. 18 reduces the vibrations of the vibratory means from transferring to the handle portion of the housing. - In
FIG. 18 , abrush head 14 may be attached to brushshaft 12 with a snug fit on the top ofshaft 12 and into the top 34 ofrecess 36 ofbrush head 14. A circumferential snap attachment feature 38 circumferentially locates and axially retains the bottom 40 ofbrush head 14 toshaft 12. - In
FIG. 19 , the vibratory means 24 are located inbrush shaft 12 and the isolation joint 18 is located inbrush shaft 12. The location of the vibratory means 24 in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 19 would affect the amount of vibrations translated to both the handle and the bristles. The amount of vibration to the bristles would likely be less than that in theFIG. 18 embodiment and the amount of vibration translated to the handle may be slightly more than that in theFIG. 18 embodiment. - In
FIG. 20 , the vibratory means 24 are located inbrush head 14 and the isolation joint 18 is located inbrush shaft 12 towardshandle 4. In this embodiment, the vibration will likely be maximized in the brush head and bristles. However, the vibration felt in the handle may be slightly greater than in the embodiment ofFIG. 18 . - In addition to the embodiments described above, additional embodiments including optional features are contemplated. Examples of such features are discussed in greater detail below.
- As particularly illustrated in
FIG. 3 , the connection leads 23 a,b are connected frommotor 24 tobattery 10 through isolation joint 18. In one embodiment,cylindrical bore 42 is formed through the center 76 ofmotor shaft 28 thus allowing theleads 74 to pass therethrough tomotor 24. In any of the other embodiments described herein, the passage of theleads 74 therethrough would be equally simple. - In any of the above isolation
joint structures 18, or any other contemplated by this invention, the portion oftoothbrush 2 which includes motor 24 (i.e.,motor shaft 28/brush shaft 12) can move with respect to the other portion oftoothbrush 2 from which it is isolated. The movement of the motor-including portion can be in a twisting manner, a vibrating manner, an orbital manner, a rotational manner, or any other type of motion helpful for cleaning teeth. - In one embodiment, the vibratory means 24 is positioned as close to
brush head 14 as possible. Such positioning helps, even without an isolation joint 18 between vibratory means 24 and handle 4, to more efficiently drivebrush head 14 and only residually drivehandle 4. In this example, isolation joint 18 increases the effectiveness of positioning vibratory means 24 near or inbrush head 14. When the placement of vibratory means is as close tobrush head 14 as possible, the location of isolation joint 18 need only be on thehandle 4 side of the vibratory means placement. In other words, isolation joint 18 may be located between vibratory means and handle 4. Thus, isolation joint 18 could be closer to brushhead 14 than to handle 4, in one embodiment. - The end cap may also include an on/off switch for actuating the device.
FIGS. 21-23 show a combination switch and batteryholder end cap 92 used in one embodiment. Theend cap combination 92 provides a sealed assembly, and includes two electricallynon-conductive parts Part 124 may be secured into an interior portion ofhandle 132 at its end. - Electrically
conductive parts 126 andtop battery contact 130 are assembled intohousing 124 which may be fixed inhandle 132.Battery carrier 122 holdslower contact strip 128 axially, but not rotationally fixed, intohousing 132. The limits of rotation ofhousing 132/battery carrier 122 assembly are fixed by aradially protruding rib 140 that is received by a corresponding groove inhousing 132. Similarly anaxially protruding bump 144 formed on a flexible portion ofbattery carrier 122 is received by either of two corresponding grooves inhousing 132. Each of these grooves the rotational assembly (of 122 and 132) in one of two operating positions. Bump 144 and the flexible portion of thearea surrounding bump 144 allows the assembly to “snap” from one operating position to the second operating position providing a positive tactile click asbattery carrier 122 is rotated. When this occurs thetop contact 126 is brought into physical and electrical contact with thebottom contact strip 128 which is in direct communication with a bottom (−) terminal of a battery. This action causes a complete electrical path from a top (+) terminal of a battery totop contact 130 throughmotor wires 74 back through contact strips 126, 128 causingmotor 24 to operate. - A positive seal is achieved with O-
ring 156 sealing betweenhousing 132 and the inside diameter ofhousing 132 which provides a drip proof feature that prevents moisture from running downhandle 132 and accumulating or running into the internal cavity of the device. -
FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of amotor shaft cap 96, shown inFIGS. 4 and 12 .Motor shaft cap 96 is a plug for the opentop end 46 ofmotor shaft 28 to encase the motor within thecavity 48 of themotor shaft 28. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 24 ,cap 96 includes aplug portion 97 and anend cap 6portion 99.Plug portion 97 extends intoopen end 46 ofmotor shaft 28.Portion 99 is of a larger diameter thanplug portion 97, and cap 96 forms a fluid resistant seal to prevent fluids from entering intocavity 48. -
FIGS. 25-26 show a brush head cover 98 that snaps onto and off ofbrush shaft 12 to coverbrush head 14. Afront face 100 ofbrush head cover 98 defines a plurality ofholes 102 to allow air exposure and drainage of any moisture trapped onbrush head 14 whenbrush head cover 98 is put on.Brush head cover 98 has amain body 104 that encloses bristles 16 when positioned onbrush head 14 and has anattachment structure 106 which defines a partiallycylindrical collar 108 attached to rear 110 ofmain body 104. This partiallycylindrical collar 108 has slopedwalls 112 to allowbrush head 14 oftoothbrush 2 to be initially placed intomain body 104 and thencollar 108 snapped around the perimeter ofbrush shaft 12 to securecover 98 ontobrush shaft 12 in a releasable manner. The sidewalls 114 ofcollar 98 are biased outwardly and aroundbrush shaft 12 to provide a secure attachment. - As shown in
FIG. 27 , at least one flossing element, as opposed to a set of bristles for use as a toothbrush, can be attached to the brush shaft or motor shaft for use in cleaning the interproximal spaces between a user's teeth. - All directional references used herein (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise, etc.) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention.
- Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/021,914 US20050189000A1 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2004-12-23 | Flosser with motor integrated with vibrating head |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US26151501P | 2001-01-12 | 2001-01-12 | |
US10/045,953 US6920659B2 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2002-01-12 | Toothbrush |
US11/021,914 US20050189000A1 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2004-12-23 | Flosser with motor integrated with vibrating head |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/045,953 Continuation US6920659B2 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2002-01-12 | Toothbrush |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050189000A1 true US20050189000A1 (en) | 2005-09-01 |
Family
ID=22993648
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/045,953 Expired - Fee Related US6920659B2 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2002-01-12 | Toothbrush |
US11/021,914 Abandoned US20050189000A1 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2004-12-23 | Flosser with motor integrated with vibrating head |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/045,953 Expired - Fee Related US6920659B2 (en) | 2001-01-12 | 2002-01-12 | Toothbrush |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6920659B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1349469A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002054906A1 (en) |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030162145A1 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2003-08-28 | Masterman Thomas Craig | Vibrating oral care device |
US20070054240A1 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2007-03-08 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Vibrating oral care device |
US20070180637A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | Mckay William D | Self-cleaning brush with a flexible matrix |
US20080052844A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2008-03-06 | The Hartz Mountain Corporation | Self-cleaning brush with a flexible matrix |
JP2011130971A (en) * | 2009-12-25 | 2011-07-07 | Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd | Electric toothbrush |
JP2011136148A (en) * | 2010-09-24 | 2011-07-14 | Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd | Electric toothbrush |
JP2012205957A (en) * | 2012-08-01 | 2012-10-25 | Panasonic Corp | Electric toothbrush |
US20130186427A1 (en) * | 2010-07-22 | 2013-07-25 | Antonio Monicelli | Dental instrument for cleaning teeth |
US8522797B2 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2013-09-03 | Brushpoint Innovations Inc | Accessory head for a powered toothbrush and toothbrush incorporating the same |
JP2014140776A (en) * | 2014-05-13 | 2014-08-07 | Panasonic Corp | Electric toothbrush |
US8943634B2 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2015-02-03 | Water Pik, Inc. | Mechanically-driven, sonic toothbrush system |
WO2015147054A1 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2015-10-01 | サンスター株式会社 | Electrically driven toothbrush |
US9439742B2 (en) | 2006-08-29 | 2016-09-13 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US9468511B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-10-18 | Water Pik, Inc. | Electronic toothbrush with vibration dampening |
US9987109B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-06-05 | Water Pik, Inc. | Mechanically-driven, sonic toothbrush and water flosser |
USD844997S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-09 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
USD845636S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-16 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
US10449023B2 (en) | 2015-07-08 | 2019-10-22 | Water Pik, Inc. | Oral cleansing device with energy conservation |
US10561480B2 (en) | 2016-05-09 | 2020-02-18 | Water Pik, Inc. | Load sensing for oral devices |
US10610008B2 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2020-04-07 | Water Pik, Inc. | Brushing device with illumination features |
US11918101B2 (en) | 2019-04-09 | 2024-03-05 | Shanghai Shift Electrics Co., Ltd. | Connecting structure for electric cleaning device handle and head assembly |
Families Citing this family (65)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ATE353601T1 (en) | 1999-10-19 | 2007-03-15 | Trisa Holding Ag | TOOTHBRUSH WITH VIBRATING HEAD PART |
DE10005738A1 (en) * | 2000-02-09 | 2001-08-23 | Trisa Holding Ag Triengen | Hollow toothbrush handle is composed of two shell sections bonded together in an injection mold by an injected seam along the joint between them |
US6991598B2 (en) * | 2002-03-25 | 2006-01-31 | Klein Eric A | Miniature clothing attachable vibrator |
US8990996B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2015-03-31 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US20060026784A1 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2006-02-09 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
US7841041B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2010-11-30 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
US8151397B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2012-04-10 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions |
US7757326B2 (en) * | 2003-10-30 | 2010-07-20 | Cologate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects |
US8876221B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2014-11-04 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
US7614111B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2009-11-10 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
US8806695B2 (en) | 2002-08-09 | 2014-08-19 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions |
DE10245086A1 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2004-04-08 | Trisa Holding Ag | Method of making a toothbrush |
CN1725964B (en) * | 2002-12-17 | 2012-01-11 | 高露洁-棕榄公司 | Power toothbrush with unique handle |
US7934284B2 (en) | 2003-02-11 | 2011-05-03 | Braun Gmbh | Toothbrushes |
US7114506B2 (en) * | 2003-07-02 | 2006-10-03 | Mitch Junkins | Vibratory cleaning devices and methods |
DE10352993A1 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2005-06-16 | Braun Gmbh | Brush part for an electric toothbrush |
ES2319629T3 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2009-05-11 | Trisa Holding Ag | TOOTHBRUSH. |
US8317423B2 (en) | 2004-08-11 | 2012-11-27 | Elc Management Llc | Mascara for use with a vibrating applicator: compositions and methods |
US8327858B2 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2012-12-11 | Elc Management Llc | Vibrating mascara applicator |
US7465114B2 (en) * | 2004-08-11 | 2008-12-16 | Elc Management Llc | Vibrating mascara applicator, suitable compositions and method of use |
KR100625801B1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2006-09-20 | 김남수 | Common toothbrush usable electronic toothbrush |
BRPI0517855A (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2008-10-21 | Colgate Palmolive Co | oral care implement |
US7694419B2 (en) | 2005-04-27 | 2010-04-13 | The Gillette Company | Battery-operated appliances |
NZ563822A (en) * | 2005-05-03 | 2011-01-28 | Ultreo Inc | Oral hygiene devices employing an acoustic waveguide |
US20080209650A1 (en) * | 2005-05-03 | 2008-09-04 | Ultreo, Inc. | Oral hygiene devices |
MY165931A (en) | 2005-07-26 | 2018-05-18 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Vibrating toothbrush |
US7260862B1 (en) * | 2005-09-12 | 2007-08-28 | Defilippis Tina | Baby bottle and nipple cleaning apparatus |
US20070111168A1 (en) * | 2005-09-26 | 2007-05-17 | Ribal L Claudio | In the invention is offered a toothbrush, improved, that offers an incorporate lamp, or led, and mirror in its header both in the opposite side of the bristles, which optimizes oral hygiene and dental verification |
US8281448B2 (en) | 2005-10-24 | 2012-10-09 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement having one or more moving sections |
US20070256262A1 (en) * | 2006-05-08 | 2007-11-08 | Moss David B | Toothbrush with rotating upper section |
NO327027B1 (en) * | 2007-04-23 | 2009-04-06 | Petosan As | Electric toothbrush |
US8291537B2 (en) | 2008-01-10 | 2012-10-23 | Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc. | Oral hygiene device and method of assembly |
JP5292913B2 (en) | 2008-05-09 | 2013-09-18 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | electric toothbrush |
JP5266870B2 (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2013-08-21 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | electric toothbrush |
US8453285B2 (en) | 2009-07-16 | 2013-06-04 | Brushpoint Innovations Inc | Vibrating toothbrush and a replaceable brush head for use with the same |
EP2515792B1 (en) | 2009-12-23 | 2018-02-21 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | A mechanical drive train with a motor and an eccentric for a resonant power toothbrush |
JP4748267B2 (en) | 2009-12-25 | 2011-08-17 | パナソニック電工株式会社 | electric toothbrush |
KR100999270B1 (en) * | 2010-04-08 | 2010-12-07 | 엘지이노텍 주식회사 | Automatic toothbrushes |
CA2738262C (en) | 2010-12-03 | 2019-07-09 | Church & Dwight Co., Inc. | Toothbrush |
BR112013016211A2 (en) * | 2010-12-23 | 2018-05-15 | Colgate Palmolive Co | oral hygiene implement |
US8661650B2 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2014-03-04 | Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. | Method of making an electromechanical personal care device |
EP2911553B1 (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2016-12-07 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
JP2015080711A (en) * | 2013-10-22 | 2015-04-27 | ユーズ株式会社 | Electrically-driven interdental cleaning tool |
RU2676455C2 (en) * | 2014-04-16 | 2018-12-28 | Конинклейке Филипс Н.В. | Multi-functional modular shock absorber of motor mounting support |
US9457199B2 (en) | 2014-08-08 | 2016-10-04 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Light emitting toothbrush |
CN107427349B (en) * | 2015-02-27 | 2020-10-30 | 大作商事株式会社 | Device for cleaning inside mouth |
EP4233639A3 (en) | 2015-05-04 | 2023-11-29 | Trisa Holding AG | Electric appliance for personal care |
US20160345720A1 (en) * | 2015-05-27 | 2016-12-01 | Douglas E. Dorfman | Electrically driven jewelry cleaning brush |
USD799218S1 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2017-10-10 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
AU2016362984B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2018-11-29 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
JP7100579B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2022-07-13 | コルゲート・パーモリブ・カンパニー | Oral care equipment including replacement heads and replacement heads |
USD799835S1 (en) | 2015-12-01 | 2017-10-17 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
KR101639314B1 (en) * | 2016-01-13 | 2016-07-14 | 이승민 | Power toothbrush |
US10244858B2 (en) * | 2017-03-07 | 2019-04-02 | BZL Medical Ltd. | Vibrating brush assembly for personal hygiene device |
CN107411838A (en) * | 2017-09-08 | 2017-12-01 | 杭州乐白科技有限公司 | A kind of electric toothbrush head that can mitigate mouthwash and splash stream |
USD858997S1 (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2019-09-10 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Tracking module for an oral care implement |
USD858105S1 (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2019-09-03 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care implement |
USD893881S1 (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2020-08-25 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Oral care apparatus |
CN109793348B (en) | 2017-11-17 | 2021-12-10 | 高露洁-棕榄公司 | Oral care device |
US10631622B1 (en) | 2018-11-01 | 2020-04-28 | Vaidya Selvan | Toothbrush with replaceable bristle head |
US20200253811A1 (en) * | 2019-02-07 | 2020-08-13 | Sam Alexander | Skin care devices |
GB201906671D0 (en) * | 2019-05-12 | 2019-06-26 | Stylideas Ltd | Electric toothbrush with at least one light source |
US10786339B1 (en) | 2019-07-12 | 2020-09-29 | Sdc U.S. Smilepay Spv | Hygienic brush |
CN110504787A (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2019-11-26 | 东阳市长荣科技有限公司 | Electric motor damping structure and electric toothbrush |
RU197146U1 (en) * | 2020-01-28 | 2020-04-02 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Казанский Государственный медицинский университет" Министерства здравоохранения Российской Федерации | DEVICE FOR CLEANING ALL TEETH SURFACES |
Citations (85)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US35194A (en) * | 1862-05-06 | Reflecting-lantern | ||
US54583A (en) * | 1866-05-08 | Improvement in churns | ||
US669402A (en) * | 1900-04-21 | 1901-03-05 | Carl Roese | Tooth-brush. |
US914501A (en) * | 1908-04-06 | 1909-03-09 | Donald Mceachern | Tooth-brush. |
US958371A (en) * | 1909-06-12 | 1910-05-17 | David H Danek | Tooth-brush. |
US1018927A (en) * | 1911-07-14 | 1912-02-27 | Jules J Sarrazin | Tooth-brush. |
US1059426A (en) * | 1911-12-23 | 1913-04-22 | Henry Barnes | Tooth-brush. |
US1268544A (en) * | 1918-04-12 | 1918-06-04 | Lorwin N Cates | Tooth-brush. |
US1296067A (en) * | 1917-08-15 | 1919-03-04 | Alfred C Fuller | Tooth-brush. |
US1337173A (en) * | 1919-09-30 | 1920-04-13 | David G White | Reversible toothbrush |
US1382681A (en) * | 1920-05-15 | 1921-06-28 | Segal Samuel | Toothbrush |
US1440785A (en) * | 1920-04-26 | 1923-01-02 | Western Bottle Mfg Company | Toothbrush |
US1456535A (en) * | 1919-05-07 | 1923-05-29 | Cartwright Mfg Company | Toothbrush |
US1488214A (en) * | 1923-01-06 | 1924-03-25 | Mason Saul | Toothbrush |
US1494448A (en) * | 1922-10-05 | 1924-05-20 | Sookne Joseph | Toothbrush |
US1497495A (en) * | 1923-04-18 | 1924-06-10 | Leo I Fincke | Toothbrush |
US1527853A (en) * | 1923-06-13 | 1925-02-24 | Ferdon William | Toothbrush |
US1588785A (en) * | 1924-06-30 | 1926-06-15 | Robert H Van Sant | Toothbrush |
US1639880A (en) * | 1925-02-20 | 1927-08-23 | Butler Joseph Bernard | Toothbrush |
US1657450A (en) * | 1926-02-12 | 1928-01-31 | Barnes Henry | Toothbrush |
US1676703A (en) * | 1927-04-06 | 1928-07-10 | Nuyts Georges | Toothbrush |
US1794711A (en) * | 1930-01-30 | 1931-03-03 | Evangeline Burkhart | Brush |
US1916641A (en) * | 1931-09-02 | 1933-07-04 | Seeliger Hermann | Toothbrush |
US1943225A (en) * | 1933-05-01 | 1934-01-09 | Harold W Mcintyre | Toothbrush |
US2042239A (en) * | 1934-01-18 | 1936-05-26 | Andrew J Planding | Tooth brush |
US2114947A (en) * | 1935-09-03 | 1938-04-19 | Warsaw Philip | Tooth brush |
US2209173A (en) * | 1936-12-22 | 1940-07-23 | Russell Allie Young | Toothbrush |
US2244098A (en) * | 1938-11-21 | 1941-06-03 | William W Busick | Toothbrush |
US2273717A (en) * | 1938-01-14 | 1942-02-17 | Lactona Inc | Brush |
US2279355A (en) * | 1940-03-28 | 1942-04-14 | Harry L Wilensky | Tooth cleaning and gum massaging brush |
US2312828A (en) * | 1940-11-30 | 1943-03-02 | Emil G Adamsson | Toothbrush |
US2401186A (en) * | 1945-06-19 | 1946-05-28 | Price Fannie | Hair comb |
US2414775A (en) * | 1945-09-06 | 1947-01-21 | Robert W Stavely | Toothbrush |
US2558332A (en) * | 1947-07-21 | 1951-06-26 | Artale Frank | Toothbrush having removable bristle element |
US2819482A (en) * | 1954-08-05 | 1958-01-14 | Eugene F Traub | Tooth cleaning and gum massaging instrument |
US2868215A (en) * | 1957-02-18 | 1959-01-13 | Maurice R Mechem | Combination toothbrush and dentifrice carrier |
US2946072A (en) * | 1957-11-26 | 1960-07-26 | Edward Z Filler | Massage and brush type single-use toothbrush |
US3195537A (en) * | 1962-09-25 | 1965-07-20 | John V Blasi | Power driven tooth cleaner and gum stimulator |
US3229318A (en) * | 1964-05-15 | 1966-01-18 | Sunbeam Corp | Toothbrush |
US3230562A (en) * | 1963-07-19 | 1966-01-25 | Marjorie A Birch | Tooth brush and gum massager |
US3258805A (en) * | 1964-11-04 | 1966-07-05 | Rossnan Michael | Tooth brush |
US3722020A (en) * | 1971-01-04 | 1973-03-27 | J Hills | Toothbrush with concavity formed by bristle ends |
US3742549A (en) * | 1972-02-03 | 1973-07-03 | I Scopp | Contoured toothbrush |
US3792504A (en) * | 1972-09-25 | 1974-02-19 | D Smith | Hygienic toothbrush |
US3939599A (en) * | 1973-07-12 | 1976-02-24 | D & H Industries, Inc. | Polishing device |
US4010509A (en) * | 1975-11-25 | 1977-03-08 | Huish Frederic G | Double sulcus toothbrush |
US4033008A (en) * | 1976-04-05 | 1977-07-05 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US4156620A (en) * | 1974-07-18 | 1979-05-29 | Clemens George S | Apparatus and method for cleaning teeth |
US4268933A (en) * | 1979-11-30 | 1981-05-26 | Sophia Papas | Bristles for an interproximal and periodontal toothbrush |
USD274018S (en) * | 1981-12-21 | 1984-05-29 | Soichiro Usui | Toothbrush |
US4517701A (en) * | 1983-04-25 | 1985-05-21 | Stanford Roy E Jr | Toothbrushes for cleaning sulcular areas of the teeth |
US4519111A (en) * | 1981-11-06 | 1985-05-28 | Paolo Cavazza | Toothbrush having series of bristles of different height |
US4571768A (en) * | 1983-08-19 | 1986-02-25 | Tochigi Seiko Co., Ltd. | Toothbrush |
USD284236S (en) * | 1983-12-23 | 1986-06-17 | Georges Collet | Toothbrush |
USD284528S (en) * | 1984-06-22 | 1986-07-08 | Jurado Nelly M | Toothbrush |
US4672706A (en) * | 1985-12-27 | 1987-06-16 | Stratford Laboratories | Toothbrush |
US4729142A (en) * | 1986-03-31 | 1988-03-08 | Joseph C. Cox, Iii | Toothbrush |
US4800608A (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1989-01-31 | Key John R | Toothbrush |
US4802255A (en) * | 1987-08-10 | 1989-02-07 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Novel brush filaments |
US4827552A (en) * | 1988-03-14 | 1989-05-09 | Better Health Concepts, Inc. | Rotary electric toothbrush |
US4836289A (en) * | 1988-02-11 | 1989-06-06 | Southland Rentals, Inc. | Method and apparatus for performing wireline operations in a well |
USD324957S (en) * | 1990-06-13 | 1992-03-31 | Warner-Lambert Company | Toothbrush with adjustable head |
USD332873S (en) * | 1990-07-13 | 1993-02-02 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Set of bristles for a toothbrush |
USD334472S (en) * | 1990-03-29 | 1993-04-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
USD335579S (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1993-05-18 | Karson Chuang | Toothbrush |
USD346697S (en) * | 1992-02-03 | 1994-05-10 | O'conke James R | Toothbrush |
US5315731A (en) * | 1992-02-05 | 1994-05-31 | Millar George D | Individual tooth toothbrush |
USD347943S (en) * | 1991-07-05 | 1994-06-21 | Block Drug Company, Inc. | Denture brush |
US5392483A (en) * | 1994-07-07 | 1995-02-28 | Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Multi-level bristle tuft toothbrush |
US5398368A (en) * | 1994-03-23 | 1995-03-21 | Elder; Sherri A. | Toothbrush |
USD358938S (en) * | 1992-11-02 | 1995-06-06 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
US5435032A (en) * | 1992-05-28 | 1995-07-25 | Isis International, Inc. | Toothbrush |
US5518012A (en) * | 1994-06-15 | 1996-05-21 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | Expanded PTFE floss material and method of making same |
US5609170A (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 1997-03-11 | Roth; Edward S. | Interproximal toothbrush and method of use thereof |
US5615737A (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-04-01 | Ables; Muriel W. | Apparatus for insertion of full bore tools into an earth borehole |
US5628082A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1997-05-13 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with improved efficacy |
USD380903S (en) * | 1995-04-19 | 1997-07-15 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US5735011A (en) * | 1996-11-19 | 1998-04-07 | Asher; Randall S. | Plaque removing toothbrush |
US5875797A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1999-03-02 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Dental floss |
US5896614A (en) * | 1994-11-19 | 1999-04-27 | Smithkline Beecham P.L.C. | Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush |
US5900230A (en) * | 1997-08-18 | 1999-05-04 | Squigle, Inc. | Dental products to treat and prevent periodontal disease |
US6209652B1 (en) * | 1997-02-03 | 2001-04-03 | Lance N. Portman | Deployment system method and apparatus for running bottomhole assemblies in wells, particularly applicable to coiled tubing operations |
USD444629S1 (en) * | 2000-02-02 | 2001-07-10 | Moll Industries, Inc. | Set of bristles for a brush |
USD500599S1 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2005-01-11 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
USD501084S1 (en) * | 2003-09-09 | 2005-01-25 | Braun Gmbh | Portion of a toothbrush |
Family Cites Families (183)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1313490A (en) | 1919-08-19 | Valve grinder | ||
US3335443A (en) | 1967-08-15 | Ultrasonic brush | ||
US2734139A (en) | 1956-02-07 | murphy | ||
US670946A (en) * | 1899-11-04 | 1901-04-02 | Jacob Lagrange Ash | Electric igniter for gas-engines. |
US1424879A (en) | 1918-11-02 | 1922-08-08 | Lux Ab | Waxing or polishing brush |
US1355037A (en) | 1920-01-23 | 1920-10-05 | Dziuk Edmond | Toothpick |
US1517320A (en) | 1923-03-12 | 1924-12-02 | Stoddart John Pendreigh | Toothbrush |
US1703642A (en) | 1927-01-29 | 1929-02-26 | William F Sticht | Vibrating toothbrush |
US1696835A (en) | 1927-03-05 | 1928-12-25 | Walter E Burnett | Rotary hydraulic bath brush |
US1796641A (en) | 1928-03-29 | 1931-03-17 | Fred Foell | Spotting brush |
US1832519A (en) | 1928-10-26 | 1931-11-17 | William G Wheat | Toothbrush and power-actuating means therefor |
US1880617A (en) | 1930-08-06 | 1932-10-04 | William D White | Dental prophylactic oscillator |
US2044863A (en) | 1932-04-22 | 1936-06-23 | William F Sticht | Vibrating tooth brush |
US2016597A (en) | 1933-08-28 | 1935-10-08 | Marion L Drake | Tooth cleaning and gum stimulating device |
US2158738A (en) | 1936-12-21 | 1939-05-16 | Rollyn H Baker | Motor operated tooth brush |
US2246523A (en) | 1937-04-30 | 1941-06-24 | Kulik Irving | Power razor |
US2278365A (en) | 1938-02-24 | 1942-03-31 | Dwight C Daniels | Electrically actuated apparatus |
US2206726A (en) | 1938-03-18 | 1940-07-02 | Robert L Lasater | Rubber toothbrush |
US2282700A (en) | 1939-04-26 | 1942-05-12 | James D Bobbroff | Toothbrush |
US2598275A (en) | 1950-05-26 | 1952-05-27 | Lakin Harold | Mechanical movement |
US2705335A (en) | 1951-02-02 | 1955-04-05 | Jacob A Glassman | Disposable fountain toothbrush |
US2709227A (en) | 1952-02-20 | 1955-05-24 | Theo L Foley | Electric tooth brush |
US2806235A (en) | 1953-07-09 | 1957-09-17 | Roy M Carstairs | Vibratory hair brush |
US2728928A (en) | 1954-12-06 | 1956-01-03 | Franciscus H J Beeren | Shoe polishing machine |
US2875458A (en) | 1955-08-19 | 1959-03-03 | George S Tsuda | Electric toothbrush with improved toothbrush holder |
US2917758A (en) | 1956-02-21 | 1959-12-22 | Aesup | Electrically controlled tooth-brush |
US2931371A (en) | 1958-01-23 | 1960-04-05 | Petitta Mario | Toothpick devices |
US2977614A (en) | 1960-02-11 | 1961-04-04 | Demanuele Frederick | Vibratory toothbrush |
US3104405A (en) | 1961-06-29 | 1963-09-24 | Roger P Perrinjaquet | Tooth brush actuating mechanism |
US3106216A (en) | 1961-07-14 | 1963-10-08 | James B Kirby | Tooth cleaning device |
US3159859A (en) | 1962-04-16 | 1964-12-08 | Frank H Rasmussen | Mechanical toothbrush |
DE1204187B (en) | 1962-04-28 | 1965-11-04 | Otto Huebner | Powered toothbrush |
US3143697A (en) | 1962-05-31 | 1964-08-04 | Gen Electric | Toothbrush storage case and battery charger |
US3168834A (en) | 1962-08-29 | 1965-02-09 | Charles B Smithson | Motion converting mechanism |
US3278963A (en) | 1962-12-04 | 1966-10-18 | Ronson Corp | Automatic tooth brush |
US3160902A (en) | 1963-02-08 | 1964-12-15 | Aymar Julian Robert | Mechanical toothbrush |
US3145404A (en) | 1963-03-04 | 1964-08-25 | Knapp Monarch Co | Electric toothbrush |
US3181189A (en) | 1963-05-27 | 1965-05-04 | Riviera Appliance Corp | Power operated toothbrush |
US3270416A (en) | 1963-07-02 | 1966-09-06 | Leo A Feula | Burr dispenser |
US3274631A (en) | 1964-03-20 | 1966-09-27 | Sunbeam Corp | Electric cordless toothbrush |
US3346748A (en) | 1965-06-07 | 1967-10-10 | Songrand Corp | Vibrator motor with self-contained cooling means |
US3418552A (en) | 1965-06-08 | 1968-12-24 | Gen Electric | Separable transformer battery charger |
US3371260A (en) | 1965-06-15 | 1968-02-27 | Sunbeam Corp | Toothbrush support with recharger stand |
US3316576A (en) | 1965-08-19 | 1967-05-02 | Scovill Manufacturing Co | Electric toothbrush |
US3375820A (en) | 1965-12-15 | 1968-04-02 | Cavitron Corp | Method and apparatus for ultrasonic cleaning of teeth |
US3358309A (en) | 1965-12-27 | 1967-12-19 | Empire Brushes Inc | Cordless electric vibrating hair brush, or like vibrating manipulators |
US3430279A (en) | 1966-05-23 | 1969-03-04 | Norman Hintze | Polisher for high voltage electric lines |
US3474799A (en) | 1966-06-08 | 1969-10-28 | Vito P Cappello | Dental floss holder |
US3421524A (en) | 1966-09-22 | 1969-01-14 | William A Waters | Power driven dental cleaner |
US3472247A (en) | 1967-04-17 | 1969-10-14 | Adolph W Borsum | Hydraulic-filament dental device |
US3535726A (en) | 1967-08-07 | 1970-10-27 | Harold T Sawyer | Sonic energy cleaning appliance |
US3472045A (en) | 1967-10-04 | 1969-10-14 | Alice E Nelsen | Dental polishing apparatus |
CH471560A (en) | 1967-10-21 | 1969-04-30 | Sophindar Ets | Oral hygiene device |
US3466689A (en) | 1967-12-11 | 1969-09-16 | Bennett Ind Inc | Sonic energy dental cleaning device |
DE1757384A1 (en) | 1968-05-02 | 1971-04-15 | Braun Ag | Swing armature drive for electric toothbrush |
US3552022A (en) | 1968-07-05 | 1971-01-05 | Axel Torbjorn Axelsson | Apparatus for cleaning or polishing of teeth |
US3559292A (en) | 1968-07-16 | 1971-02-02 | Bernard Weissman | Dental gauge |
US3590814A (en) | 1969-01-03 | 1971-07-06 | Johnson & Johnson | Interdental stimulator |
US3563233A (en) | 1969-03-17 | 1971-02-16 | Albert G Bodine | Sonic dental tool for massaging gums |
US3588936A (en) | 1969-05-13 | 1971-06-29 | John P Duve | Electric toothbrush |
US3676218A (en) | 1969-09-02 | 1972-07-11 | Harold T Sawyer | Sonic energy cleaning method |
US3660902A (en) | 1970-04-24 | 1972-05-09 | A T Axelsson | Apparatus for cleaning or polishing of teeth |
US3651576A (en) | 1970-05-18 | 1972-03-28 | Dynamics Corp America | Electroacoustic massager for the gums |
US3642344A (en) | 1970-11-27 | 1972-02-15 | Honeywell Inc | Optical scanner having high-frequency torsional oscillator |
US3667483A (en) | 1970-12-14 | 1972-06-06 | James B Mccabe | Dental floss reciprocator |
US3809977A (en) | 1971-02-26 | 1974-05-07 | Ultrasonic Systems | Ultrasonic kits and motor systems |
US3672378A (en) | 1971-05-05 | 1972-06-27 | Ralph H Silverman | Toothpick device |
US3760799A (en) | 1972-03-02 | 1973-09-25 | D Crowson | Sonic teeth-cleaning apparatus and method |
US3882364A (en) | 1972-08-18 | 1975-05-06 | Gen Electric | Induction motor control system |
US3980906A (en) | 1972-12-26 | 1976-09-14 | Xygiene, Inc. | Ultrasonic motor-converter systems |
US3840932A (en) | 1972-12-26 | 1974-10-15 | Ultrasonic Systems | Ultrasonic toothbrush applicator |
US3831611A (en) | 1973-02-06 | 1974-08-27 | Raymond Lee Organization Inc | Dental floss unit |
US3759274A (en) | 1973-03-12 | 1973-09-18 | C Warner | Dental instrument |
US3847167A (en) | 1973-06-25 | 1974-11-12 | J Brien | Flossomatic |
US3903601A (en) | 1974-07-11 | 1975-09-09 | Modcom Inc | Dispenser for orthodontic chain-formed intraoral devices |
US3902510A (en) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-09-02 | Lawrence Peska Ass Inc | Dental floss device |
US4004344A (en) | 1974-09-06 | 1977-01-25 | Gold Gary K | Dental device |
DE2540541A1 (en) | 1974-09-14 | 1976-03-25 | Palle Thorup | DENTAL TIP SWITCH (EXPLORER) |
US3967617A (en) | 1974-11-25 | 1976-07-06 | Alston, Inc. | Mechanical gum massager |
US4019522A (en) | 1975-01-16 | 1977-04-26 | Elbreder Charles H | Dental hygiene package |
US3978852A (en) | 1975-04-07 | 1976-09-07 | Annoni Jerry D | Plaque jack toothbrush |
US4008728A (en) | 1975-05-27 | 1977-02-22 | The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. | Dental floss holders |
US4133339A (en) | 1975-07-11 | 1979-01-09 | Floss Aid Corporation | Needle with deformable eye |
US4014354A (en) | 1975-10-03 | 1977-03-29 | Garrett Terry N | Dental flossing tool |
DE2544534C3 (en) | 1975-10-04 | 1981-03-19 | Kuno Moser, GmbH, Fabrik für Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik, 7731 Unterkirnach | Spray device for cleaning and care of teeth and gums |
US4005722A (en) | 1976-04-08 | 1977-02-01 | Bragg Kenneth R | Tool for flossing teeth under a permanent bridge |
US4064883A (en) | 1976-05-03 | 1977-12-27 | Johnson & Johnson | Dental floss threader with locking means |
USD254162S (en) | 1977-04-18 | 1980-02-12 | Barker Fred J | Combined toothbrush, display and charging unit therefor |
US4177434A (en) | 1978-05-30 | 1979-12-04 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Constant amplitude control of electromechanical oscillators |
US4192035A (en) | 1978-11-08 | 1980-03-11 | Ultrasonic Plaque Control Laboratories, Inc. | Ultrasonic toothbrush |
US4245658A (en) * | 1979-04-09 | 1981-01-20 | Lecouturier Jacques M | Automatic flossing apparatus |
US4265257A (en) * | 1979-07-17 | 1981-05-05 | Salyer James R | Power driven dental floss cleaner |
US4326549A (en) * | 1980-08-18 | 1982-04-27 | Hinding John H | Dental hygiene appliance |
US4586521A (en) * | 1983-12-07 | 1986-05-06 | Urso Charles L | Multi-motion dental flosser |
US4913176A (en) * | 1988-09-12 | 1990-04-03 | Deniro Richard G | Dental pick |
JPH03222905A (en) * | 1989-11-29 | 1991-10-01 | Matsushita Electric Works Ltd | Motor brush for hair growth |
IT1238956B (en) * | 1990-04-18 | 1993-09-17 | Mirko Mazza | DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AND DRIVING AN INTERDENTAL WIRE. |
US5207773A (en) * | 1990-11-26 | 1993-05-04 | Doug Henderson | Teeth cleaning apparatus |
US5184632A (en) * | 1990-11-27 | 1993-02-09 | Product Development (Z.G.S.) Ltd. | Dental flossing device |
US5085236A (en) * | 1991-01-03 | 1992-02-04 | Odneal Billie L | Dental floss machine |
US5546624A (en) * | 1991-03-25 | 1996-08-20 | Sonex International Corporation | Apparatus to selectively couple ultransonic energy in a therapeutic ultransonic toothbrush |
US5186191A (en) * | 1991-10-30 | 1993-02-16 | Loubier Robert J | Motor driven dental floss applicator |
US5279314A (en) * | 1991-12-23 | 1994-01-18 | Advanced Dental Research Corporation | Electric dental flosser |
USD343064S (en) * | 1992-01-30 | 1994-01-11 | World Harbors, Inc. | Travel toothbrush |
US5188133A (en) * | 1992-02-07 | 1993-02-23 | Romanus Thomas W | Dental flossing tool |
USD346212S (en) * | 1992-04-13 | 1994-04-19 | Ernst Hosl | Portable oral douche |
USRE36699E (en) * | 1992-12-30 | 2000-05-16 | Murayama; Ronald K. | Sonic dental device |
US5343883A (en) * | 1992-12-30 | 1994-09-06 | Murayama Ronald K | Sonic dental device and method |
JP2668631B2 (en) * | 1993-03-19 | 1997-10-27 | 英二 岡田 | Method for brushing an electric toothbrush having a predetermined frequency |
US5400811A (en) * | 1993-09-24 | 1995-03-28 | Meibauer; Robert H. | Power driven tooth flosser |
FR2711509B1 (en) * | 1993-10-26 | 1996-02-09 | Patrick Arnoux | Toothbrush with double rotary brushing system. |
USD358713S (en) * | 1993-11-19 | 1995-05-30 | Block Drug Co. Inc. | Toothbrush |
US5511270A (en) * | 1994-10-26 | 1996-04-30 | Eliachar; Eliahu | Hair brush |
US5647385A (en) * | 1995-04-07 | 1997-07-15 | Dynaproducts Inc. | Automated dental cleaner |
US6050818A (en) * | 1995-04-21 | 2000-04-18 | Braun Aktiengesellschaft | Electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus |
DE29515288U1 (en) * | 1995-09-23 | 1995-11-23 | Rowenta Werke Gmbh | Electric toothbrush |
US5987688A (en) * | 1995-11-09 | 1999-11-23 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Gum-massaging oral brush |
US5697117A (en) * | 1996-01-26 | 1997-12-16 | Teledyne Industries, Inc. | Brush head assembly for motor powered toothbrush |
US5794295A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1998-08-18 | Shen; Chung-Shan | Electrically operated oscillatory toothbrush |
AU7101396A (en) * | 1996-09-10 | 1998-04-02 | Grigory Borisovich Altshuler | Toothbrush |
JP2000507489A (en) * | 1996-12-17 | 2000-06-20 | コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ | Toothbrush comprising brush members having different length bristles and brush members having different length bristles for toothbrush |
JP4008039B2 (en) * | 1996-12-17 | 2007-11-14 | コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ | Toothbrush with brush holder that can move against spring force |
DE19654108C2 (en) * | 1996-12-23 | 2001-10-04 | Massholder Karl F | Cleaning system and method for cleaning a surface |
DE19654319C1 (en) * | 1996-12-24 | 1998-08-06 | Rowenta Werke Gmbh | Electric toothbrush |
DE19717334C1 (en) * | 1997-04-24 | 1998-07-09 | Braun Ag | Brush attachment for electric toothbrush with interchangeable brush attachment |
AU8155098A (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 1999-01-04 | Biolase Technology, Inc. | Electromagnetic radiation emitting toothbrush and dentifrice system |
FR2769187B1 (en) * | 1997-10-03 | 2001-03-09 | Moulinex Sa | ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH |
DE19745876A1 (en) * | 1997-10-17 | 1999-04-22 | Braun Ag | Brush part for electric toothbrush |
US5893175A (en) * | 1998-02-26 | 1999-04-13 | Cooper; Eric | Pneumatic torso armor and helmet |
EP1025776B1 (en) * | 1998-05-29 | 2007-01-10 | Hukuba Dental Kabushiki Kaisha | Toothbrush |
US6178579B1 (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2001-01-30 | Dr. Johns Products, Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US6564940B2 (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2003-05-20 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Electric toothbrush |
US6371294B1 (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2002-04-16 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Electric toothbrush |
US20020017474A1 (en) * | 1998-09-30 | 2002-02-14 | Blaustein Lawrence A. | Electric toothbrush |
DE29818046U1 (en) * | 1998-10-13 | 2000-02-17 | Schiffer Fa M & C | Brush, especially toothbrush |
US6381795B1 (en) * | 1998-11-02 | 2002-05-07 | Raimund Hofmann | Brush part for electrical toothbrush |
US6203320B1 (en) * | 1998-12-22 | 2001-03-20 | Unilever Home & Personal Care Usa, Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Electric toothbrush and method combining bristle and pulsed liquid irrigation cleansing to oral cavity |
US20040068811A1 (en) * | 1998-12-31 | 2004-04-15 | Jacqueline Fulop | Manual and electronic orthodontic toothbrushes |
DE19900765A1 (en) * | 1999-01-12 | 2000-07-13 | Braun Gmbh | Device for removing plaques and for cleaning interdental spaces |
IT1305292B1 (en) * | 1999-01-26 | 2001-05-04 | Giovanni Santoro | MOTORIZED APPARATUS FOR THE MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF CLEANING INTERDENTAL SPACES THROUGH WIRE. |
US6202242B1 (en) * | 1999-01-29 | 2001-03-20 | Zephyr Design, Inc. | Light emitting electric toothbrush |
US6047711A (en) * | 1999-02-19 | 2000-04-11 | Wagner; Daniel A. | Method and apparatus for converting a power-driven toothbrush into a power-driven flossing device |
US6230717B1 (en) * | 1999-04-26 | 2001-05-15 | Alvin J. Marx | Motorized disposable toothbrush |
US6353956B1 (en) * | 1999-09-03 | 2002-03-12 | Jason Berge | Combined ultrasonic toothbrush module |
US6574820B1 (en) * | 1999-10-22 | 2003-06-10 | The Gillette Company | Brush head for toothbrush |
US20020039720A1 (en) * | 1999-10-29 | 2002-04-04 | Marx Alvin J. | Motorized reusable toothbrush |
US6343396B1 (en) * | 2000-01-13 | 2002-02-05 | Marius Simovitz | Rotary tooth cleaning device |
EP1132057A1 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2001-09-12 | Unilever N.V. | Toothbrush with segmented oscillating head |
GB0010115D0 (en) * | 2000-04-27 | 2000-06-14 | Smithkline Beecham Gmbh & Co | Toothbrush |
US6347425B1 (en) * | 2000-06-28 | 2002-02-19 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Powered toothbrush having three dimensional rotational head motion |
CN2451073Y (en) * | 2000-10-26 | 2001-10-03 | 沃辉有限公司 | High frequency vibrating tooth-brush |
US6701565B2 (en) * | 2001-04-30 | 2004-03-09 | Wik Far East Ltd. | Electric toothbrush with revolvable brush head |
US6721986B2 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2004-04-20 | Qingping Zhuan | Electric toothbrush |
US6536066B2 (en) * | 2001-07-25 | 2003-03-25 | Pulse Innovations Inc. | Toothbrush oscillating head |
EP1700537A1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2006-09-13 | Unilever N.V. | Electric toothbrush |
US20030033679A1 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2003-02-20 | Joseph Fattori | Brush section for an electric toothbrush |
DE20113895U1 (en) * | 2001-08-22 | 2003-01-02 | Wik Far East Ltd | Dental care device |
US20030041396A1 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2003-03-06 | Dickie Robert G. | Power handle for electric toothbrush with hand grip configuration |
US20030066145A1 (en) * | 2001-10-04 | 2003-04-10 | Prineppi Frank J. | Electric toothbrushes |
US20030074751A1 (en) * | 2001-10-23 | 2003-04-24 | Wu Ka Shing | Electrical toothbrushes |
US20030084525A1 (en) * | 2001-11-07 | 2003-05-08 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Complex motion toothbrush |
US20030084527A1 (en) * | 2001-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | The Procter & Gamble Co. | Multi-motion toothbrush |
US20030084526A1 (en) * | 2001-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | The Procter & Gamble Co. | Multi-motion toothbrush |
US6725490B2 (en) * | 2001-11-06 | 2004-04-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Complex motion toothbrush |
US20030097723A1 (en) * | 2001-11-27 | 2003-05-29 | Ming-Kuei Li | Transmission device of electric toothbrush |
JP3800094B2 (en) * | 2002-01-18 | 2006-07-19 | 松下電工株式会社 | electric toothbrush |
WO2004000155A1 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2003-12-31 | Unilever N.V. | Electric toothbrush |
US6938294B2 (en) * | 2002-07-17 | 2005-09-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with movable head sections for enhanced oral care |
US20040010870A1 (en) * | 2002-07-22 | 2004-01-22 | Chiaphua Industries Limited | Hygienic electric toothbrush |
TW527913U (en) * | 2002-07-22 | 2003-04-11 | Jeng-Jie Jiang | Structure of brush head for electromotive toothbrush |
US20040016068A1 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2004-01-29 | Sun Luen Electrical Mfg. Co. Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US20040016069A1 (en) * | 2002-07-25 | 2004-01-29 | Sun Luen Electrical Mfg. Co. Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US7024718B2 (en) * | 2002-08-02 | 2006-04-11 | J Y Chu | Electric toothbrush mechanism |
US6931688B2 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2005-08-23 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US20040045106A1 (en) * | 2002-09-05 | 2004-03-11 | Chun-Shun Lam | Electric toothbrush |
US20040045107A1 (en) * | 2002-09-10 | 2004-03-11 | Zoltan Egeresi | Water pressure driven tooth brush (hydratoothbrush) with dental jet |
US20040049868A1 (en) * | 2002-09-13 | 2004-03-18 | Ng Wai Fun | Electric toothbrush with 3-dimensional brush head movements |
US20040049867A1 (en) * | 2002-09-13 | 2004-03-18 | Chiaphua Industries Limited | Electric toothbrush with in-use activation of bristles |
US7140058B2 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2006-11-28 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with kinetic plate |
US7137163B2 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2006-11-21 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Power toothbrush and power source |
US6944901B2 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2005-09-20 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Brush section for a powered toothbrush |
US6966093B2 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2005-11-22 | Colgate-Polmolive Company | Toothbrush having a movable upstanding cleaning element |
US20040060137A1 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2004-04-01 | Eyal Eliav | Toothbrush with sectorial motion |
-
2002
- 2002-01-12 US US10/045,953 patent/US6920659B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-01-14 WO PCT/US2002/001029 patent/WO2002054906A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-01-14 EP EP02707477A patent/EP1349469A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2004
- 2004-12-23 US US11/021,914 patent/US20050189000A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (85)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US54583A (en) * | 1866-05-08 | Improvement in churns | ||
US35194A (en) * | 1862-05-06 | Reflecting-lantern | ||
US669402A (en) * | 1900-04-21 | 1901-03-05 | Carl Roese | Tooth-brush. |
US914501A (en) * | 1908-04-06 | 1909-03-09 | Donald Mceachern | Tooth-brush. |
US958371A (en) * | 1909-06-12 | 1910-05-17 | David H Danek | Tooth-brush. |
US1018927A (en) * | 1911-07-14 | 1912-02-27 | Jules J Sarrazin | Tooth-brush. |
US1059426A (en) * | 1911-12-23 | 1913-04-22 | Henry Barnes | Tooth-brush. |
US1296067A (en) * | 1917-08-15 | 1919-03-04 | Alfred C Fuller | Tooth-brush. |
US1268544A (en) * | 1918-04-12 | 1918-06-04 | Lorwin N Cates | Tooth-brush. |
US1456535A (en) * | 1919-05-07 | 1923-05-29 | Cartwright Mfg Company | Toothbrush |
US1337173A (en) * | 1919-09-30 | 1920-04-13 | David G White | Reversible toothbrush |
US1440785A (en) * | 1920-04-26 | 1923-01-02 | Western Bottle Mfg Company | Toothbrush |
US1382681A (en) * | 1920-05-15 | 1921-06-28 | Segal Samuel | Toothbrush |
US1494448A (en) * | 1922-10-05 | 1924-05-20 | Sookne Joseph | Toothbrush |
US1488214A (en) * | 1923-01-06 | 1924-03-25 | Mason Saul | Toothbrush |
US1497495A (en) * | 1923-04-18 | 1924-06-10 | Leo I Fincke | Toothbrush |
US1527853A (en) * | 1923-06-13 | 1925-02-24 | Ferdon William | Toothbrush |
US1588785A (en) * | 1924-06-30 | 1926-06-15 | Robert H Van Sant | Toothbrush |
US1639880A (en) * | 1925-02-20 | 1927-08-23 | Butler Joseph Bernard | Toothbrush |
US1657450A (en) * | 1926-02-12 | 1928-01-31 | Barnes Henry | Toothbrush |
US1676703A (en) * | 1927-04-06 | 1928-07-10 | Nuyts Georges | Toothbrush |
US1794711A (en) * | 1930-01-30 | 1931-03-03 | Evangeline Burkhart | Brush |
US1916641A (en) * | 1931-09-02 | 1933-07-04 | Seeliger Hermann | Toothbrush |
US1943225A (en) * | 1933-05-01 | 1934-01-09 | Harold W Mcintyre | Toothbrush |
US2042239A (en) * | 1934-01-18 | 1936-05-26 | Andrew J Planding | Tooth brush |
US2114947A (en) * | 1935-09-03 | 1938-04-19 | Warsaw Philip | Tooth brush |
US2209173A (en) * | 1936-12-22 | 1940-07-23 | Russell Allie Young | Toothbrush |
US2273717A (en) * | 1938-01-14 | 1942-02-17 | Lactona Inc | Brush |
US2244098A (en) * | 1938-11-21 | 1941-06-03 | William W Busick | Toothbrush |
US2279355A (en) * | 1940-03-28 | 1942-04-14 | Harry L Wilensky | Tooth cleaning and gum massaging brush |
US2312828A (en) * | 1940-11-30 | 1943-03-02 | Emil G Adamsson | Toothbrush |
US2401186A (en) * | 1945-06-19 | 1946-05-28 | Price Fannie | Hair comb |
US2414775A (en) * | 1945-09-06 | 1947-01-21 | Robert W Stavely | Toothbrush |
US2558332A (en) * | 1947-07-21 | 1951-06-26 | Artale Frank | Toothbrush having removable bristle element |
US2819482A (en) * | 1954-08-05 | 1958-01-14 | Eugene F Traub | Tooth cleaning and gum massaging instrument |
US2868215A (en) * | 1957-02-18 | 1959-01-13 | Maurice R Mechem | Combination toothbrush and dentifrice carrier |
US2946072A (en) * | 1957-11-26 | 1960-07-26 | Edward Z Filler | Massage and brush type single-use toothbrush |
US3195537A (en) * | 1962-09-25 | 1965-07-20 | John V Blasi | Power driven tooth cleaner and gum stimulator |
US3230562A (en) * | 1963-07-19 | 1966-01-25 | Marjorie A Birch | Tooth brush and gum massager |
US3229318A (en) * | 1964-05-15 | 1966-01-18 | Sunbeam Corp | Toothbrush |
US3258805A (en) * | 1964-11-04 | 1966-07-05 | Rossnan Michael | Tooth brush |
US3722020A (en) * | 1971-01-04 | 1973-03-27 | J Hills | Toothbrush with concavity formed by bristle ends |
US3742549A (en) * | 1972-02-03 | 1973-07-03 | I Scopp | Contoured toothbrush |
US3792504A (en) * | 1972-09-25 | 1974-02-19 | D Smith | Hygienic toothbrush |
US3939599A (en) * | 1973-07-12 | 1976-02-24 | D & H Industries, Inc. | Polishing device |
US4156620A (en) * | 1974-07-18 | 1979-05-29 | Clemens George S | Apparatus and method for cleaning teeth |
US4010509A (en) * | 1975-11-25 | 1977-03-08 | Huish Frederic G | Double sulcus toothbrush |
US4033008A (en) * | 1976-04-05 | 1977-07-05 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US4268933A (en) * | 1979-11-30 | 1981-05-26 | Sophia Papas | Bristles for an interproximal and periodontal toothbrush |
US4519111A (en) * | 1981-11-06 | 1985-05-28 | Paolo Cavazza | Toothbrush having series of bristles of different height |
USD274018S (en) * | 1981-12-21 | 1984-05-29 | Soichiro Usui | Toothbrush |
US4517701A (en) * | 1983-04-25 | 1985-05-21 | Stanford Roy E Jr | Toothbrushes for cleaning sulcular areas of the teeth |
US4571768A (en) * | 1983-08-19 | 1986-02-25 | Tochigi Seiko Co., Ltd. | Toothbrush |
USD284236S (en) * | 1983-12-23 | 1986-06-17 | Georges Collet | Toothbrush |
USD284528S (en) * | 1984-06-22 | 1986-07-08 | Jurado Nelly M | Toothbrush |
US4672706A (en) * | 1985-12-27 | 1987-06-16 | Stratford Laboratories | Toothbrush |
US4729142A (en) * | 1986-03-31 | 1988-03-08 | Joseph C. Cox, Iii | Toothbrush |
US4802255A (en) * | 1987-08-10 | 1989-02-07 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Novel brush filaments |
US4800608A (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1989-01-31 | Key John R | Toothbrush |
US4836289A (en) * | 1988-02-11 | 1989-06-06 | Southland Rentals, Inc. | Method and apparatus for performing wireline operations in a well |
US4827552A (en) * | 1988-03-14 | 1989-05-09 | Better Health Concepts, Inc. | Rotary electric toothbrush |
USD334472S (en) * | 1990-03-29 | 1993-04-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
USD324957S (en) * | 1990-06-13 | 1992-03-31 | Warner-Lambert Company | Toothbrush with adjustable head |
USD332873S (en) * | 1990-07-13 | 1993-02-02 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Set of bristles for a toothbrush |
USD335579S (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1993-05-18 | Karson Chuang | Toothbrush |
USD347943S (en) * | 1991-07-05 | 1994-06-21 | Block Drug Company, Inc. | Denture brush |
USD346697S (en) * | 1992-02-03 | 1994-05-10 | O'conke James R | Toothbrush |
US5315731A (en) * | 1992-02-05 | 1994-05-31 | Millar George D | Individual tooth toothbrush |
US5435032A (en) * | 1992-05-28 | 1995-07-25 | Isis International, Inc. | Toothbrush |
USD358938S (en) * | 1992-11-02 | 1995-06-06 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
US5398368A (en) * | 1994-03-23 | 1995-03-21 | Elder; Sherri A. | Toothbrush |
US5609170A (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 1997-03-11 | Roth; Edward S. | Interproximal toothbrush and method of use thereof |
US5518012A (en) * | 1994-06-15 | 1996-05-21 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | Expanded PTFE floss material and method of making same |
US5392483A (en) * | 1994-07-07 | 1995-02-28 | Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Multi-level bristle tuft toothbrush |
US5896614A (en) * | 1994-11-19 | 1999-04-27 | Smithkline Beecham P.L.C. | Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush |
US5628082A (en) * | 1995-03-22 | 1997-05-13 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush with improved efficacy |
USD380903S (en) * | 1995-04-19 | 1997-07-15 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
US5875797A (en) * | 1995-06-06 | 1999-03-02 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Dental floss |
US5615737A (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-04-01 | Ables; Muriel W. | Apparatus for insertion of full bore tools into an earth borehole |
US5735011A (en) * | 1996-11-19 | 1998-04-07 | Asher; Randall S. | Plaque removing toothbrush |
US6209652B1 (en) * | 1997-02-03 | 2001-04-03 | Lance N. Portman | Deployment system method and apparatus for running bottomhole assemblies in wells, particularly applicable to coiled tubing operations |
US5900230A (en) * | 1997-08-18 | 1999-05-04 | Squigle, Inc. | Dental products to treat and prevent periodontal disease |
USD444629S1 (en) * | 2000-02-02 | 2001-07-10 | Moll Industries, Inc. | Set of bristles for a brush |
USD500599S1 (en) * | 2002-12-31 | 2005-01-11 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
USD501084S1 (en) * | 2003-09-09 | 2005-01-25 | Braun Gmbh | Portion of a toothbrush |
Cited By (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030162145A1 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2003-08-28 | Masterman Thomas Craig | Vibrating oral care device |
US20070054240A1 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2007-03-08 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Vibrating oral care device |
US20080014552A1 (en) * | 2002-01-15 | 2008-01-17 | Mastcrman Thomas C | Vibrating oral care device |
US20070180637A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2007-08-09 | Mckay William D | Self-cleaning brush with a flexible matrix |
US20080052844A1 (en) * | 2006-02-07 | 2008-03-06 | The Hartz Mountain Corporation | Self-cleaning brush with a flexible matrix |
DE112007002038B4 (en) * | 2006-08-29 | 2017-01-26 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
US9439742B2 (en) | 2006-08-29 | 2016-09-13 | Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. | Electric toothbrush |
JP2011130971A (en) * | 2009-12-25 | 2011-07-07 | Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd | Electric toothbrush |
US8938839B2 (en) | 2009-12-25 | 2015-01-27 | Panasonic Corporation | Electric toothbrush |
US20130186427A1 (en) * | 2010-07-22 | 2013-07-25 | Antonio Monicelli | Dental instrument for cleaning teeth |
US8522797B2 (en) * | 2010-07-23 | 2013-09-03 | Brushpoint Innovations Inc | Accessory head for a powered toothbrush and toothbrush incorporating the same |
JP2011136148A (en) * | 2010-09-24 | 2011-07-14 | Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd | Electric toothbrush |
US8943634B2 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2015-02-03 | Water Pik, Inc. | Mechanically-driven, sonic toothbrush system |
US9144477B2 (en) | 2011-05-02 | 2015-09-29 | Water Pik, Inc. | Mechanically-driven, sonic toothbrush system |
JP2012205957A (en) * | 2012-08-01 | 2012-10-25 | Panasonic Corp | Electric toothbrush |
US10828137B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2020-11-10 | Water Pik, Inc. | Brush tip with motion transfer and securing engagement structures |
USD959840S1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-08-09 | Water Pik, Inc. | Brush head for oral cleansing device |
US10918469B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2021-02-16 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush with fluid directing drive assembly |
US11351018B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-06-07 | Water Pik, Inc. | Oral cleansing device with removable base |
US9987109B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2018-06-05 | Water Pik, Inc. | Mechanically-driven, sonic toothbrush and water flosser |
US11744690B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2023-09-05 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush tip |
US9468511B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-10-18 | Water Pik, Inc. | Electronic toothbrush with vibration dampening |
US11399925B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2022-08-02 | Water Pik, Inc. | Wirelessly controlled oral irrigator |
USD878765S1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2020-03-24 | Water Pik, Inc. | Brush head for oral cleansing device |
JPWO2015147054A1 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2017-04-13 | サンスター株式会社 | electric toothbrush |
WO2015147054A1 (en) * | 2014-03-28 | 2015-10-01 | サンスター株式会社 | Electrically driven toothbrush |
JP2014140776A (en) * | 2014-05-13 | 2014-08-07 | Panasonic Corp | Electric toothbrush |
US11284980B2 (en) | 2015-07-08 | 2022-03-29 | Water Pik, Inc. | Oral cleansing device with rotatable fluid connector |
US10449023B2 (en) | 2015-07-08 | 2019-10-22 | Water Pik, Inc. | Oral cleansing device with energy conservation |
US10561480B2 (en) | 2016-05-09 | 2020-02-18 | Water Pik, Inc. | Load sensing for oral devices |
USD845636S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-16 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
US11013315B2 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2021-05-25 | Water Pik, Inc. | Light diffuser for oral cleansing devices |
USD906688S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2021-01-05 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
USD881584S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2020-04-21 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
US10610008B2 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2020-04-07 | Water Pik, Inc. | Brushing device with illumination features |
USD844997S1 (en) | 2016-12-15 | 2019-04-09 | Water Pik, Inc. | Toothbrush handle |
US11918101B2 (en) | 2019-04-09 | 2024-03-05 | Shanghai Shift Electrics Co., Ltd. | Connecting structure for electric cleaning device handle and head assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2002054906A1 (en) | 2002-07-18 |
EP1349469A1 (en) | 2003-10-08 |
US6920659B2 (en) | 2005-07-26 |
US20020120991A1 (en) | 2002-09-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6920659B2 (en) | Toothbrush | |
US11744690B2 (en) | Toothbrush tip | |
US7082638B2 (en) | Electro-motion toothbrush | |
JP5547468B2 (en) | electric toothbrush | |
JP2013523312A (en) | Electric toothbrush with excellent vibration efficiency | |
US10966807B1 (en) | Electric toothbrushes | |
CN113520650A (en) | Brush first subassembly and oral care device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WATER PIK, INC., COLORADO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CACKA, JOE W.;CHILES, HOWELL H.;REEL/FRAME:016539/0658;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020403 TO 20020415 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE, NEW YORK Free format text: FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:WATER PIK, INC.;EGWP ACQUISITION CORP. SUB.;WATERPIK INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019580/0350 Effective date: 20070615 Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE, NEW YORK Free format text: SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:WATER PIK, INC.;EGWP ACQUISITION CORP. SUB.;WATERPIK INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019580/0464 Effective date: 20070615 Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE,NEW YORK Free format text: FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:WATER PIK, INC.;EGWP ACQUISITION CORP. SUB.;WATERPIK INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019580/0350 Effective date: 20070615 Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE,NEW YORK Free format text: SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:WATER PIK, INC.;EGWP ACQUISITION CORP. SUB.;WATERPIK INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:019580/0464 Effective date: 20070615 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WATER PIK, INC., COLORADO Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH;REEL/FRAME:026756/0287 Effective date: 20110810 Owner name: WATER PIK, INC., COLORADO Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH;REEL/FRAME:026756/0708 Effective date: 20110810 |