DE29924223U1 - Electric toothbrush - Google Patents

Description

March 12, 2002 &Iacgr;"*. _s &iacgr;&iacgr; «1 .* M*jjl1er.-feore & Partner

Applicant: Procter & Gamble International Operations SA
Electric toothbrush
Our sign: P 3264 - ru / bt

Background of the invention

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 09/163,621, filed September 30, 1998. ,

The present invention relates generally to electric toothbrushes. More particularly, it relates to an improved battery-operated toothbrush.

The benefits of brushing one's teeth using powered toothbrushes are well known and the powered movement of toothbrushes has been the subject of numerous recent innovations and design activities. The commercial market has also seen the introduction of many different types of powered toothbrushes over the past few years. However, a review of the available technology shows a trend toward increasingly complex, expensive and commercially unfeasible methods of achieving powered movement in the bristles and heads of toothbrushes to help clean teeth more effectively.

The commercial market has been divided into two price markets. At the higher end are some of these more complex motorized toothbrushes which provide various movements of the brushes and brush head. The lower end of the market has been taken up by very simple powered toothbrushes which only vibrate through the use of a weight attached to the motor shaft and which provide very little actual cleaning benefit from their use as no vigorous movement is transmitted to the cleaning surface of the brush. The vibrations are also very uncomfortable for the hand and act as a hindrance or little incentive to brush one's teeth for a sufficient period of time.

Numerous electric toothbrushes have been developed over the years.

Some known devices are described in US Patent No. 5,070,567; US Patent No.

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5,186,627; U.S. Patent No. 5,274,870; U.S. Patent No. 5,341,534; U.S. Patent No. 5,378,153; and U.S. Patent No. 5,732,433. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, efficient, ergonomically correct motorized toothbrush wherein the brush includes both a moving circular brush portion and a stationary brush portion. Accordingly, it has been deemed desirable to develop a new and improved electric toothbrush which overcomes the previously described difficulties and others while providing better and more beneficial overall results. 10

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush. More specifically, the electric toothbrush is used in personal hygiene to clean the teeth and gums using a motorized movement.

In a first preferred embodiment, the electric toothbrush comprises an elongated body portion, a brush head hinged to a first end of the elongated body portion, a handle hinged to a second end of the elongated body portion, and an angled shaft between the brush head and the handle.

The brush head includes a longitudinal axis, a circular section, and a static section. The circular section rotates, pivots, tumbles, or moves back and forth about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the brush head and is incorporated into the larger brush head. The static section includes static bristles arranged on opposite sides of the circular section. The stiff bristles of the circular section are slightly recessed in height from the static bristles. This particular arrangement allows the circular section to include stiff bristles which aid in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process, while the stationary bristles will typically be made of softer bristles so as not to damage the gums.

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The brush head has a traditionally larger brush head shape, allowing the user to brush their teeth in a typical up and down motion, while a motorized, circular portion of the brush head cleans more efficiently. The brush head design allows for cheap manufacturing, bringing efficient, motorized, rotary toothbrushes within the financial means of a larger portion of the population.

The angled shaft provides an ergonomic advantage that has not been used on a motorized toothbrush. The angle is well known for its ergonomic advantage in providing easier access into the back recesses of the mouth while still contacting the tooth surface.

The elongated body portion includes a hollow portion. The toothbrush further includes a motor within the hollow portion of the elongated body portion. The motor is operatively connected to the circular portion of the brush head for rotating or reciprocating the stiff bristles on the head. The motor has a longitudinal axis that is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion.

The hollow area also includes a simplified gear arrangement.

The gear assembly includes a worm gear, two stepped gears, and a shaft. The motor is operatively connected to the worm gear. The stepped pinions are operatively connected to the worm gear and to each other. The gear assembly provides sufficient torque, speed, and battery longevity. The first stepped pinion allows a second stepped pinion to be offset with respect to a longitudinal axis of the extended body portion and disposed at the desired angle so that the shaft itself can be straight, thereby not losing power or torque due to the added friction of a flexible shaft. The shaft is operatively connected at a first end to the offset stepped pinion and at a second end to the circular portion of the brush head.

The body further comprises a switch to allow operation of the unit. The switch comprises an operating button and

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a metal contact. The switch is manually depressed by pushing down on a molded actuator button which presses against a metal contact, completing the circuit as in a conventional momentary switch. The switch allows continuous actuation through a ramp design by pushing the actuator button and sliding it forward as in a conventional continuous switch. The forward motion, combined with the molded ramp, causes the actuator head to move downward, pressing against the metal contact and completing the circuit. By combining these two functions in one switch, the consumer can try the unit and see how it works before purchasing it and still operate it continuously once it is out of the box.

The electric toothbrush may further include a battery disposed within the hollow portion of the extended body portion.

A sliding snap-on cover is then pushed, released from the end of the handle and opens to expose the hollow area. The battery is then inserted and then the cover is slid and snapped into position.

In a second preferred embodiment, the electric toothbrush comprises an elongated body portion, a brush head hinged to a first end of the elongated body portion, a handle hinged to a second end of the elongated body portion, and an angled shaft between the brush head and the handle.

The brush head includes a longitudinal axis, a circular portion, a static portion, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the head is disposed adjacent the first end of the extended body portion, and the second end is disposed opposite the first end. The static portion is disposed at the first end of the head. The circular portion is disposed at the second end of the head. The circular portion rotates, pivots, orbits, or moves reciprocally about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the brush head and is incorporated into the larger brush head. The circular portion is disposed at the end of the brush head to provide easier access for cleaning the back areas of the user's mouth.

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The static bristles are positioned adjacent to the circular portion. This particular arrangement allows the circular portion to include stiff bristles that will assist in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process further into the back of the user's mouth, while the stationary bristles would typically be comprised of softer bristles so as not to damage the gums.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide an electric toothbrush having a brush head with a traditional, larger brush head shape to enable the user to brush the teeth in an up and down manner.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an electric toothbrush which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an electric toothbrush with an angled shaft to allow easier access to the back parts of the user's mouth.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an electric toothbrush having a static portion and a circular portion which rotates or oscillates or reciprocates.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a circular portion which rotates or reciprocates located at the end of the brush head to facilitate easier access to the back of the user's mouth.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an electric toothbrush with a switch that allows momentary operation or continuous operation of the toothbrush.

Still further advantages and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.
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Short description of the drawings

The invention may take its physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which are described in detail in

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of this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the electric toothbrush in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view in cross section of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view in cross section of the motor and gear assembly of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view in cross section of the head of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a front and side elevational view of the electric toothbrush in the packaging;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the electric toothbrush in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a bottom elevational view of the electric toothbrush of Fig. 9.

Detailed description of preferred training courses

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the representations are merely for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same, Fig. 1 shows an electric toothbrush A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The electric toothbrush can be used for personal hygiene such as brushing one's teeth and gums.

As shown in Fig. 1, the electric toothbrush comprises an elongated body portion 10 having a first end 12 and a second

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end 14. A head 16 is hinged to the first end 12 and a handle 18 is hinged to the second end 14.

The head 16 has a more traditional, larger brush head shape which allows the user to brush his teeth in the typical up and down motion. As shown in Figure 2, the length of the head 16, dimension "X", can range from about 0.75 inches to about 1.75 inches. The thickness of the brush head, dimension "Y", can range from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches. The design of the head 16 allows for inexpensive manufacture and helps bring efficient motorized rotary toothbrushes within the financial reach of a wide range of the population.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the head 16 further includes a longitudinal axis 19, a circular portion or brush head 20, and a static portion or brush head 22. The static portion 22 is located on opposite sides of the circular portion 20. The circular portion 20 is located at the center of the brush head 16. The circular portion 20 rotates, pivots, or reciprocates about an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal axis 19 of the brush head 16. The circular portion 20 may rotate or partially rotate 360° or reciprocate in a back and forth manner.

The circular region 20 includes stiff bristles 24. The static region 22 includes soft bristles 26. The stiff bristles 24 are slightly recessed with respect to the soft bristles 26. The stiff bristles 24 aid in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process while the stationary soft bristles 26 are softer so as not to injure the gums. The thickness of the bristles, dimension "Z" shown in Fig. 2, may be from 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.

Referring again to Fig. 3, the extended body portion 10 further includes an angled shaft 28 disposed between the head 16 and the handle 18. The angled shaft 28 provides an ergonomic advantage that has not been utilized in a motorized toothbrush. The angle is well known for its ergonomic advantage in providing easier access to the back recesses in the mouth while still contacting the tooth surface.

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As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the elongated body portion 10 further includes a hollow portion 30 which houses a motor 32. The motor 32 has a longitudinal axis 34 that is aligned with a longitudinal axis 36 of the elongated body portion 10.

To transmit power to the circular portion 20 to rotate or reciprocate, the motor 32 drives a worm gear 40 and a pair of stepped gears 42, 43. The motor 32 is operatively connected to the worm gear 40. The stepped gear 42 is operatively connected to the stepped gear 43 and the worm gear 40.

As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, the first stage pinion 42 allows the cooperating second stage pinion 43 to be offset with respect to the longitudinal axis 36 of the extended body portion 10.

As shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, a shaft 44 is connected to a first end of the offset step pinion 43 and at a second end to the circular portion 20. The second step pinion 43 is arranged at a desired angle such that the shaft 44 itself can be straight, thus not losing any power or torque due to the additional function of a flexible shaft.

Referring again to Fig. 5, the motor 32 and the pinions or gears 40, 42 and 43 are housed in an upper housing 46 and a lower housing 48.

Referring again to Fig. 4, a switch 50 is provided to control the operation of the electric toothbrush and is operatively connected to the motor 32. The switch 50 includes a molded actuation button 52 and a metal contact 54. The switch 50 is manually depressed by pushing down on the molded actuation button 52 which then presses against a metal contact 54 which completes the circuit and provides temporary actuation of the toothbrush. The switch 50 also allows for continuous actuation by a ramp design which slides the button 52 forward toward the head 16 to provide continuous actuation. By moving the button 52 forward,

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combined with a molded ramp 58 in the metal contact 54 causes the button 52 to move downward, pressing against the metal contact 54 and completing the circuit. The toothbrush then operates continuously until the button 52 is moved back to an off position toward the handle 18 and the button 52 releases the metal contact 54.

By combining these two functions in a switch 50, the toothbrush can be packaged in a package as shown in Fig. 8, wherein the consumer can push the button 52 through the package and see its operation while it is still in the package, and then be able to operate it continuously once it is out of the package. Fig. 8 illustrates one version of the button 52. It should be noted that other sizes and shapes of buttons may be used.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, a battery 60 is provided in the hollow portion 30 of the extended body portion 10. A battery terminal or contact 62 is provided for the battery 60. An AA battery may be used as shown in Fig. 4. To install the battery 60 in the hollow portion 30, a slidable snap cap 64 is pushed and slides out of the end of the handle 18 to expose the hollow portion 30. The battery 60 is inserted and then the cap 64 is slid back onto the housing and snapped into place. The terminal end of the battery 60 is then in contact with the metal contact 54.

If desired, recesses or ridged portions 70 and 72 may be formed in the upper and lower housings 46, 48 as shown in Fig. 4. The recesses 70, 72 are used to support a thumb or index finger or other fingers of the user to make use of the electric toothbrush easier and more comfortable.

A second preferred embodiment of the electric toothbrush according to the present invention is shown in Fig. 9.

The electric toothbrush includes an elongated body portion 80 having a first end 82 and a second end 84. A head 86 is attached to the first end 82 and a handle 88 is attached to the second end 84.

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Referring now to Fig. 11, the head 86 further includes a longitudinal axis 90, a circular portion or brush head 100, a static portion or brush head 102, a first end 104, and a second end 106. The first end 104 is disposed adjacent the first end 82 of the extended body portion 80. The second end 106 is disposed opposite the first end 104. The circular portion 100 is disposed at the second end 106 of the head 86. The static portion 102 is disposed at the first end 104 of the head 86 adjacent the circular portion 100. The circular portion 100 rotates, pivots, or reciprocates about an axis substantially normal to the longitudinal axis 90 of the brush head 86. The circular portion 100 may rotate 360° or partially or reciprocate in a back and forth manner. The circular portion 100 includes stiff bristles 110. The static portion 102 includes soft bristles 112. The stiff bristles 110 may be slightly recessed relative to the soft bristles 112. The stiff bristles 110 aid in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process while the stationary soft bristles 112 are softer so that they do not damage or injure the gums.

Referring to Fig. 10, the elongated brush head 80 further includes an angled shaft 120, an upper housing 122, and a lower housing 124. The angled shaft 120 is disposed between the head 86 and the handle 88. The angled shaft 120 provides an ergonomic benefit that has not been utilized in a motorized toothbrush.

The extended body portion 80 of the second preferred embodiment also includes a hollow portion 30 which houses a motor 32 as shown in Figs. 4-7 for the first preferred embodiment. The motor 32 provides power for the circular portion 100 to rotate or reciprocate. The interior of the extended body portion 80 is identical to that shown in Figs. 4-7 except for the location of the circular portion 100. As described above, the circular portion 100 is located at the second end 106 of the brush head 86. The second preferred embodiment also includes a worm pinion 40 and a pair of step gears 42, 43 as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The motor 32 drives the worm pinion 40 and

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the pair of stepped pinions 42, 43. The stepped pinion 42 allows the coordinated stepped pinion 43 to be offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion 80.

As shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, a shaft 44 is connected to a first end of the offset step pinion 43 and at a second end to the circular portion 100. The second step pinion 43 is disposed at a desired angle so that the shaft 44 can be straight, thereby not losing power or torque due to the additional function of a flexible shaft.

Referring again to Fig. 9, a switch 130 is provided to control the operation of the electric toothbrush and is operatively connected to the motor 32. The switch 130 includes a molded actuating button 132. The switch 130 is manually depressed by pressing a molded actuating button 132 which then presses against a metal contact 54 which completes the circuit and provides immediate operation of the toothbrush. The operation of the switch 30 is identical to that shown in Figs. 4 and 6 and as described for the first preferred embodiment. The switch 130 also allows for continuous operation by a ramp design which slides the button 132 forward toward the head 86 to provide continuous operation. The toothbrush then operates continuously until the button 132 is moved back to an off position on the handle 88 and the button 132 releases the metal contact 54.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 for the first preferred embodiment, the second preferred embodiment also includes a battery 60 with a battery terminal or contact 62 provided in the hollow portion 30 of the extended body portion 80. To install the battery 60 in the hollow portion 30, a slidable snap-on cover 134 (shown in Figs. 9-11) is pushed down and slid out of the end of the handle 88 to expose the hollow portion 30. The battery 60 is inserted, then the cover 134 is slid back onto the housing and snapped into place.

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If desired, raised gripping areas 136 may be molded into the lower housing 124 as shown in Figs. 9 and 11. The raised areas 136 are used to support the thumb and index finger or other fingers of a user to make use of the electric toothbrush easier and more comfortable. A raised area 140 may also be molded on the snap-on lid 134 to assist in grasping the lid with a thumb and removing the lid from the handle 88.

The electric toothbrush of the second preferred embodiment may also be packaged in a package such as that shown in Fig. 8, as shown for the first preferred embodiment, where the consumer can push the button 132 through the package and see its operation while it is still in the package, and then be able to operate it continuously once it is out of the package.
One inch is equal to 2.54 cm, as is commonly known.

Claims (10)

1. Electric toothbrush, comprising: a) an elongated body portion ( 80 ) having opposite first and second ends ( 82 ; 84 ); b) a motor ( 32 ) disposed in a hollow portion ( 30 ) of the extended body portion, the motor configured to produce a rotary or reciprocating motion and a battery ( 60 ) disposed in the hollow portion for powering the motor ( 32 ); c) a head ( 86 ) having a first end ( 104 ) secured to the first end ( 82 ) of the elongated body portion and a second end ( 106 ) disposed opposite the first end ( 104 ) of the head ( 86 ), wherein the head ( 86 ) has a longitudinal axis ( 90 ) and a circular portion ( 100 ) that rotates, pivots, wobbles, or reciprocates about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis; characterized in that a) the circular region ( 100 ) is arranged at the second end ( 106 ) of the head ( 86 ) and a static region ( 102 ) is arranged at the first end ( 104 ) of the head and adjacent to the circular region. 2. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the head ( 86 ) has a traditional brush head shape having dimensions of 1.9 cm (0.75 inches) to 4.5 cm (1.75 inches) in length and 0.6 cm (0.25 inches) to 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) in thickness. 3. Electric toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circular region ( 100 ) has stiff bristles ( 110 ) and the static region ( 102 ) has soft bristles ( 112 ). 4. Electric toothbrush according to claim 3, wherein the stiff bristles ( 110 ) are recessed or offset with respect to the soft bristles ( 112 ). 5. An electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongated body portion ( 80 ) includes a handle ( 88 ) secured to its second end and an angled shaft ( 120 ) disposed between the head and the handle. 6. An electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim, further comprising a worm gear ( 40 ) and a pair of step gears ( 42 , 43 ) disposed in the hollow portion ( 30 ), the motor ( 32 ) being operatively connected to the worm gear ( 40 ) and the step gears ( 42 , 43 ) being operatively connected to the worm gear ( 40 ) and to each other. 7. An electric toothbrush according to claim 6, wherein one of the step pinions ( 42 , 43 ) is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis ( 19 ) of the extended body portion. 8. An electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim, further comprising a shaft ( 28 ) disposed in the angled shaft and operatively connected at a first end to the offset step pinion and at a second end to the circular portion ( 20 ). 9. An electric toothbrush according to any preceding claim, further comprising a switch ( 130 ) operably connected to the motor ( 32 ) which provides a momentary and a continuous mode of operation of the toothbrush. 10. The electric toothbrush of claim 8, wherein the switch ( 130 ) is depressed to provide momentary operation of the toothbrush and is depressed and slides into a slot in the extended body portion ( 80 ) to provide continuous operation of the toothbrush.