Oral care device with multi-structural contact elements

Abstract

A contact device with resilient contact elements is disclosed. The resilient contact elements have primary structures and secondary structures. The primary structures and secondary structures have contact surfaces for engaging a working surface. The primary structures are preferably molded structures with hardness value between 10 to 90 Shores A. The secondary structures are nodules, squeegees, bristles or combinations thereof. In accordance with the embodiment of the invention a toothbrush includes resilient bristle boots that surround groups of bristles and have squeegees, nodules, bristles, or combinations thereof, that protrude from surfaces of the resilient bristle boots.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The Patent application is a continuation in part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 925,582, filed Sep. 24, 2004, titled “ORAL-CARE DEVICE WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS,” which is a continuation in part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 957,302, filed Sep. 19, 2002, titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,767 B1. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 957,302, filed Sep. 19, 2002, titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS” claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) from the co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 233,580, filed Sep. 19, 2000, and titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS”. The U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 925,582, filed Sep. 24, 2004, titled “ORAL-CARE DEVICE WITH MULTI-STRUCTURAL CONTACT ELEMENTS,” the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 957,302, filed Sep. 19, 2002, titled “APPARATUS WITH MULTI-STRU...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] According to an embodiment of the instant invention, the primary and secondary structures of a contact element are configured such that only the contact surfaces of either the primary or secondary structure will engage a working surface when a first force is applied to a working surface through the primary structure. By applying a sufficiently greater force to the working surface through the primary structure, the contact surfaces of the secondary and primary structure engage the working surface. Accordingly, multiple types of contact surfaces are provided within a single multi-structural contact element or device. Further, applying more or less force to the working surface through the contact element controls the types contact surfaces that engage the working surface.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the instant invention, the primary structure is more flexible than the secondary structure. The primary structure provides a cushion for the second structure. Thus the force that is required to deform the primary structure limits the force that may be applied to a working surface through the contact element or elements.

Problems solved by technology

Because squeegees are often made from non-absorbent materials, such as rubber, they are not generally used in applicator devices.

Squeegees are flexible and resilient and tend to be too soft to be used in scrubbing or scouring devices.

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