CA1288911C - Toothbrush - Google Patents
ToothbrushInfo
- Publication number
- CA1288911C CA1288911C CA000540354A CA540354A CA1288911C CA 1288911 C CA1288911 C CA 1288911C CA 000540354 A CA000540354 A CA 000540354A CA 540354 A CA540354 A CA 540354A CA 1288911 C CA1288911 C CA 1288911C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- handle
- toothbrush
- cut
- barrel
- away
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 claims description 8
- 210000005224 forefinger Anatomy 0.000 claims description 5
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000549893 Carphochaete Species 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000001680 brushing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 101150050071 proY gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
- A46B5/02—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware specially shaped for holding by the hand
- A46B5/026—Grips or handles having a nonslip section
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
- A46B5/02—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware specially shaped for holding by the hand
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
- A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
Landscapes
- Brushes (AREA)
- Massaging Devices (AREA)
- Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
- Dental Preparations (AREA)
- Compositions Of Oxide Ceramics (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A toothbrush for massaging gums as well as cleaning teeth wherein the handle extending from the bristle head portion includes a barrel-shaped grip portion to facilitate rolling the toothbrush, and a spatula-shaped portion extending from the barrel-shaped portion to aid in controlling the rolling action.
A toothbrush for massaging gums as well as cleaning teeth wherein the handle extending from the bristle head portion includes a barrel-shaped grip portion to facilitate rolling the toothbrush, and a spatula-shaped portion extending from the barrel-shaped portion to aid in controlling the rolling action.
Description
1~88~
The present invention relates to toothbrushes for massaging gums as well as cleaning teeth.
Conventionally, toothbrushes comprise a handle portion and a head portion. The head portion generally contains a pat,tern of holes on one side into which are inserted bristles. Tufts of bristles are conventionally secured in the holes by means of short anchor wires. The handle portion is attached to the head portion of the toothbrush, a thinner neck portion sometimes being provided. The handle generally lies in the same general oxientation as the head although it may be angled from the head as desired.
It would be desirable for a toothbrush to be of a design which can be effectively manipulated in use to achieve efficient and effective cleaning o~ the teeth and massaging of the gums. Toothbrushes have been designed with a great many varying grips in an effort to facilltate holding the toothbrush in a suitable manner for brushing the teeth. In general, however, such attempts to provide improved grip have resulted in toothbrushes which can be held firmly in one position but, not manipulated easily into other positions. It is generally accepted that, a desirable cleaning action is up and down rather than across the tooth surface.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a toothbrush for massaging gums as well as cleaning teeth. The toothbrush comprises a head portion having bristles for massaging gums and cleaning teeth. An elongated handle extends from the head portion. The handle has a barrel-shaped grip portion formed to facilitate rolling of the t:oothbrush between the thumb and forefinger during 12~
use of the toothbrush. An extension portion, which is genexally spatula-shaped, extends from the grip portion which is adapted to fit across the palm of the hand in use and includes a stabilizing portion for engaging the hand and assisting in the control of the rolling action during use of the toothbrush.
- 2a -~' Enbodine~t6 of t~e invention can proY~de, with advantage, the facil~ty of rolling the toothbcush to achieve t~e de6ired preferred action of up a~d down cleaning. In a preferred enbodinent of the toothbrush, the bristle~ will extend sub6tantially away from the head generally in a fir~t directio~ and the handle will extend substantially at right angle6 to the first direction.
Furthermore, with advantage the exten~ion portion extending ~rom the grip portion may be generally spatula-shaped and in particular may increase in width toward6 the free end of the toothbrush.
A preferred feature of the toothbrus~ i~ the inclu6ion of a cut-away po~tion on the ~ack of the handle (i.e. the side opposite that containing the bri~tle6) at the junction of the barrel-shaped grip portion and the exten~ion portion in order to provide a ~uitable po~ition for the second finger, whil~t the barrel is gripped between the thu~b and forefi~ger.
Preferably the toothbrush will be provided with a 6econd cut-away portion on the front of the handle (i.e. the 6ide containing the bri6tle6), adapted to allow in the alternative, a conventional grip to be exercised by placing the fo~efinger on the first cut-away portion and the thumb on the second cut-away portion. Additionally, there may be provided another pair of cut-away portion6 (third and fourth) formed in the sides of the handle at the 3unction of the barrel-6haped portion with a narrow neck portion. ~hese cut-away portions provide an alternate gripping facility for f~ne control of the toothbrufih, particularly 6uited for reaching the back teeth, with the advantage ~hat the toothbrush is thereby held in a plane which is generally at right angles to the plane in which the handle i6 conventionally gripped.
A fifth cut-away portion may also be provided on t~e front of the ~andle at the 3unction of the barrel-shaped portion with 4043S/e6 -3-the narrow ne~k portio~. An alternate gripping facility for fine control. where the toothbrush i8 held in the plane in which it ifi conventionally gripped, i6 thereby pro~ided when the thumb rests on thi6 f if th cut-away portion and the forefinger rests on the back of the neck oppo6ite the cut-away portion.
Preferably, the barrel-shaped portion will be tapered and may be provided with suitable testure to facilitate control whil6t rolling ehe bru6h between the thumb and fo~efinger.
For illustrative purpose~ only, an embodiment of the invention will now be de6cribed with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Pigure 1 is a plan view of a toothbrush embodying the invention:
Figure 2 i6 a side view of the toothbrush;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the toothbrush:
Figure 4 i6 a per6pective view of the toothbru6h from above;
Pigure 5 i6 a perspective view of the toothbrush from below; and Figure 6 is an enlarged 6ide view showing the grip portion of the toothbru6h.
The toothbrush shown in the drawing6 compri6e6 a 6et of bri6tles 3 attached to the hsad portion 1 of a moulded pla6tic handle 2. The handle 2 includes a narrow neck portion 4 attached to the head portion 1 and leading to a barrel-6haped portion 5, from which a ~patula-6haped portion 6 extend6. The barrel-shaped portion 5 i8 oval in cross-section having its ma30r axi~ sub6tantially at right angle6 to the direct~on in which the bri~tles 3 extend fro~ the head portion 1. The 6patula-6haped portion 6 widens~from ~ts 3unction with the barrel-6haped portion 5 towards it8 free end.
Referring ~pecifically to figure 6, there can be seen a fir6t qO435/es -4-cut-away portion ~ on the back o the handle adapted to support t~e 6econd or middle finger whe~ the barrel-shaped portion 5 is gripped between the thumb and ~orefinger. A
second cut-away po~tion 10 i~ al~o ~or~ed on the oppo~ite side S of the handle at the junction of the ba~el-ghaped portion 5 with t~e spatula-shaped portion 6. The toothbrush may be gripped conventionally by placing the forefinger on the first cut-away portion 7 and the thumb on the second cut-away portion 10.
In addition a texture is provided on the ~urface of the barrel-~haped grip portion 5 by means of raised dimple6 8 and a ~uitably roughened 6urface portion 9.
Al60 ~hown in the figure~ generally i8 a fu~ther pair of cut-away portion6 11 and lZ on either side of the handle at the junction of the narrow neck portion 4 and the barrel-6haped grip portion 5. The6e cut-away portion6 11 and 12 co-operate to provide altecnate gripping for fine control of the toothbrush in a plane ~ub~tantially at ri~ht angle6 to the plane in which the handle is conventionally gripped.
fifth cut-away portion 13 is provided on the f~ont of the handle the junction of the narrow neck portion 4 and the barrel-6haped grip portion 5. T~is cut-away po~tion 13 and the back of the neck 14 co-operate to provide alternate qripping foc fine control of the toothbru6h in the 6a~e plane in which the handle i6 gripped conventionally.
40435~eB _S_
The present invention relates to toothbrushes for massaging gums as well as cleaning teeth.
Conventionally, toothbrushes comprise a handle portion and a head portion. The head portion generally contains a pat,tern of holes on one side into which are inserted bristles. Tufts of bristles are conventionally secured in the holes by means of short anchor wires. The handle portion is attached to the head portion of the toothbrush, a thinner neck portion sometimes being provided. The handle generally lies in the same general oxientation as the head although it may be angled from the head as desired.
It would be desirable for a toothbrush to be of a design which can be effectively manipulated in use to achieve efficient and effective cleaning o~ the teeth and massaging of the gums. Toothbrushes have been designed with a great many varying grips in an effort to facilltate holding the toothbrush in a suitable manner for brushing the teeth. In general, however, such attempts to provide improved grip have resulted in toothbrushes which can be held firmly in one position but, not manipulated easily into other positions. It is generally accepted that, a desirable cleaning action is up and down rather than across the tooth surface.
According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a toothbrush for massaging gums as well as cleaning teeth. The toothbrush comprises a head portion having bristles for massaging gums and cleaning teeth. An elongated handle extends from the head portion. The handle has a barrel-shaped grip portion formed to facilitate rolling of the t:oothbrush between the thumb and forefinger during 12~
use of the toothbrush. An extension portion, which is genexally spatula-shaped, extends from the grip portion which is adapted to fit across the palm of the hand in use and includes a stabilizing portion for engaging the hand and assisting in the control of the rolling action during use of the toothbrush.
- 2a -~' Enbodine~t6 of t~e invention can proY~de, with advantage, the facil~ty of rolling the toothbcush to achieve t~e de6ired preferred action of up a~d down cleaning. In a preferred enbodinent of the toothbrush, the bristle~ will extend sub6tantially away from the head generally in a fir~t directio~ and the handle will extend substantially at right angle6 to the first direction.
Furthermore, with advantage the exten~ion portion extending ~rom the grip portion may be generally spatula-shaped and in particular may increase in width toward6 the free end of the toothbrush.
A preferred feature of the toothbrus~ i~ the inclu6ion of a cut-away po~tion on the ~ack of the handle (i.e. the side opposite that containing the bri~tle6) at the junction of the barrel-shaped grip portion and the exten~ion portion in order to provide a ~uitable po~ition for the second finger, whil~t the barrel is gripped between the thu~b and forefi~ger.
Preferably the toothbrush will be provided with a 6econd cut-away portion on the front of the handle (i.e. the 6ide containing the bri6tle6), adapted to allow in the alternative, a conventional grip to be exercised by placing the fo~efinger on the first cut-away portion and the thumb on the second cut-away portion. Additionally, there may be provided another pair of cut-away portion6 (third and fourth) formed in the sides of the handle at the 3unction of the barrel-6haped portion with a narrow neck portion. ~hese cut-away portions provide an alternate gripping facility for f~ne control of the toothbrufih, particularly 6uited for reaching the back teeth, with the advantage ~hat the toothbrush is thereby held in a plane which is generally at right angles to the plane in which the handle i6 conventionally gripped.
A fifth cut-away portion may also be provided on t~e front of the ~andle at the 3unction of the barrel-shaped portion with 4043S/e6 -3-the narrow ne~k portio~. An alternate gripping facility for fine control. where the toothbrush i8 held in the plane in which it ifi conventionally gripped, i6 thereby pro~ided when the thumb rests on thi6 f if th cut-away portion and the forefinger rests on the back of the neck oppo6ite the cut-away portion.
Preferably, the barrel-shaped portion will be tapered and may be provided with suitable testure to facilitate control whil6t rolling ehe bru6h between the thumb and fo~efinger.
For illustrative purpose~ only, an embodiment of the invention will now be de6cribed with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Pigure 1 is a plan view of a toothbrush embodying the invention:
Figure 2 i6 a side view of the toothbrush;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the toothbrush:
Figure 4 i6 a per6pective view of the toothbru6h from above;
Pigure 5 i6 a perspective view of the toothbrush from below; and Figure 6 is an enlarged 6ide view showing the grip portion of the toothbru6h.
The toothbrush shown in the drawing6 compri6e6 a 6et of bri6tles 3 attached to the hsad portion 1 of a moulded pla6tic handle 2. The handle 2 includes a narrow neck portion 4 attached to the head portion 1 and leading to a barrel-6haped portion 5, from which a ~patula-6haped portion 6 extend6. The barrel-shaped portion 5 i8 oval in cross-section having its ma30r axi~ sub6tantially at right angle6 to the direct~on in which the bri~tles 3 extend fro~ the head portion 1. The 6patula-6haped portion 6 widens~from ~ts 3unction with the barrel-6haped portion 5 towards it8 free end.
Referring ~pecifically to figure 6, there can be seen a fir6t qO435/es -4-cut-away portion ~ on the back o the handle adapted to support t~e 6econd or middle finger whe~ the barrel-shaped portion 5 is gripped between the thumb and ~orefinger. A
second cut-away po~tion 10 i~ al~o ~or~ed on the oppo~ite side S of the handle at the junction of the ba~el-ghaped portion 5 with t~e spatula-shaped portion 6. The toothbrush may be gripped conventionally by placing the forefinger on the first cut-away portion 7 and the thumb on the second cut-away portion 10.
In addition a texture is provided on the ~urface of the barrel-~haped grip portion 5 by means of raised dimple6 8 and a ~uitably roughened 6urface portion 9.
Al60 ~hown in the figure~ generally i8 a fu~ther pair of cut-away portion6 11 and lZ on either side of the handle at the junction of the narrow neck portion 4 and the barrel-6haped grip portion 5. The6e cut-away portion6 11 and 12 co-operate to provide altecnate gripping for fine control of the toothbrush in a plane ~ub~tantially at ri~ht angle6 to the plane in which the handle is conventionally gripped.
fifth cut-away portion 13 is provided on the f~ont of the handle the junction of the narrow neck portion 4 and the barrel-6haped grip portion 5. T~is cut-away po~tion 13 and the back of the neck 14 co-operate to provide alternate qripping foc fine control of the toothbru6h in the 6a~e plane in which the handle i6 gripped conventionally.
40435~eB _S_
Claims (9)
1. A toothbrush for massaging gums as well as cleaning teeth, comprising a head portion having bristles for massaging gums and cleaning teeth, and an elongated handle extending from the head portion, the handle having a barrel-shaped grip portion shaped to facilitate rolling of the toothbrush between the thumb and forefinger during use of the toothbrush, and an extension portion which is generally spatula-shaped extending from the grip portion adapted to fit across the palm of the hand in use and including a stabilizing portion for engaging the hand and assisting in the control of the rolling action during use of the toothbrush.
2. A toothbrush according to claim 1, in which the bristles extend away from the head generally in a first direction and the elongated handle extends substantially at right angles to said first direction.
3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 in which the width of the spatula-shaped portion increases along the length of the handle away from the grip portion.
4. A toothbrush according to claim 1 in which there is provided a first cut-away portion on the back of the handle for engagement of the second finger when the barrel is gripped between the thumb and forefinger.
5. A toothbrush according to claim 4 in which there is provided a second cut-away portion on the front of the handle whereby the cut-away portions cooperate to provide in the alternative a conventional gripping capability.
6. A toothbrush according to claim 5 in which there is provided a further pair of cut-away portions on each side of the handle at the junction of the barrel-shaped grip portion with a narrow neck portion, each of the further cut-away portions providing alternate gripping capability for fine control, whereby the brush is held in a plane substantially at right angles to the plane in which the handle is conventionally gripped; the further pair of cut-away portions cooperating with the first and second cut-away portions and the barrel-shaped grip portion to provide a combination of alternate gripping capabilities.
7. A toothbrush according to claim 6 in which there is provided a further cut-away portion formed in the front of the handle at the junction of the barrel-shaped grip portion with the narrow neck portion, cooperating with the back of the neck portion to provide alternate gripping capability for fine control, whereby the brush is held in substantially the same plane in which the handle is conventionally gripped.
8. A toothbrush according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the barrel-shaped grip portion is tapered.
9. A toothbrush according to claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the barrel-shaped grip portion is provided with a texture to facilitate gripping thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPH659286 | 1986-06-26 | ||
| AUPHO6592 | 1986-06-26 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1288911C true CA1288911C (en) | 1991-09-17 |
Family
ID=3771678
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000540354A Expired - Lifetime CA1288911C (en) | 1986-06-26 | 1987-06-23 | Toothbrush |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0251705B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2552867B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8703208A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1288911C (en) |
| FI (1) | FI85799C (en) |
| NO (1) | NO872657L (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ220681A (en) |
| PT (1) | PT85197B (en) |
| SG (1) | SG6891G (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA874612B (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH0631937Y2 (en) * | 1988-05-25 | 1994-08-24 | ジヨンソン・アンド・ジヨンソン・コンシユーマー・プロダクツ・インコーポレーテツド | toothbrush |
| DE3923495C1 (en) * | 1989-07-15 | 1991-01-24 | M + C Schiffer Gmbh, 5466 Neustadt, De | |
| DE4229152A1 (en) * | 1992-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | Jordan As Oslo | Toothbrush and manufacturing process for toothbrushes |
| USD353050S (en) | 1993-10-27 | 1994-12-06 | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Toothbrush |
| DE19608226A1 (en) * | 1996-03-04 | 1997-09-11 | Kurt Dipl Ing Kessler | Toothbrush with elastically articulated interchangeable brush head |
| EP0811335A3 (en) * | 1996-06-05 | 1998-07-01 | Monika Warden | Toothbrush |
| EP1372429A1 (en) * | 2001-03-30 | 2004-01-02 | Unilever N.V. | Toothbrush |
| JP4522803B2 (en) * | 2004-09-16 | 2010-08-11 | 株式会社ジーシー | toothbrush |
| CN103220937B (en) | 2010-11-22 | 2015-11-25 | 博朗有限公司 | Toothbrush |
| JP6607849B2 (en) * | 2014-05-21 | 2019-11-20 | ライオン株式会社 | toothbrush |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1369966A (en) * | 1919-03-05 | 1921-03-01 | Cosens Arthur | Toothbrush |
| US2267670A (en) * | 1941-04-26 | 1941-12-23 | Nettie Rosenwasser | Toothbrush |
| US2414775A (en) * | 1945-09-06 | 1947-01-21 | Robert W Stavely | Toothbrush |
| FR1005685A (en) * | 1947-09-06 | 1952-04-15 | Brush handles improvement | |
| US4274174A (en) * | 1979-01-19 | 1981-06-23 | G.R.P. Gesellschaft Fur Rationelle Psychologie Ohg | Toothbrush |
| JPS5677343U (en) * | 1979-11-17 | 1981-06-23 | ||
| JPS61199232U (en) * | 1985-06-03 | 1986-12-12 |
-
1987
- 1987-06-12 NZ NZ220681A patent/NZ220681A/en unknown
- 1987-06-23 CA CA000540354A patent/CA1288911C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-06-25 JP JP62156730A patent/JP2552867B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-06-25 NO NO872657A patent/NO872657L/en unknown
- 1987-06-25 ZA ZA874612A patent/ZA874612B/en unknown
- 1987-06-25 EP EP87305664A patent/EP0251705B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-06-25 FI FI872822A patent/FI85799C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-06-25 BR BR8703208A patent/BR8703208A/en unknown
- 1987-06-26 PT PT85197A patent/PT85197B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1991
- 1991-02-08 SG SG68/91A patent/SG6891G/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NZ220681A (en) | 1989-12-21 |
| FI85799B (en) | 1992-02-28 |
| NO872657L (en) | 1987-12-28 |
| JPS6323608A (en) | 1988-01-30 |
| EP0251705A1 (en) | 1988-01-07 |
| PT85197A (en) | 1988-07-01 |
| BR8703208A (en) | 1988-03-15 |
| FI872822A0 (en) | 1987-06-25 |
| PT85197B (en) | 1993-07-30 |
| FI872822L (en) | 1987-12-27 |
| JP2552867B2 (en) | 1996-11-13 |
| NO872657D0 (en) | 1987-06-25 |
| EP0251705B1 (en) | 1990-09-05 |
| FI85799C (en) | 1992-06-10 |
| SG6891G (en) | 1991-04-05 |
| ZA874612B (en) | 1989-02-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |