Oral care implement comprising an elastomeric polypropylene-ethylene copolymer

Abstract

An oral care implement has one or more components, such as a handle or a gripping portion thereof, prepared from an elastomeric propylene-ethylene copolymer. The elastomeric copolymer provides a comfortable and non-slippery gripping surface in a variety of conditions, including both wet and dry environments, and also provides flexible characteristics which are particularly well suited for hinged handle designs.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 702,736, filed Jul. 27, 2005, in which the contents are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to an oral care implement, and more particularly, to an oral care implement comprising having one or more components constructed from elastomeric propylene-ethylene copolymers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Oral care implements, particularly toothbrush handles, traditionally have been manufactured with rigid materials such as polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, or cellulose acetate propionate. Toothbrush handles constructed from such rigid materials can be uncomfortable to grip and difficult to manipulate during brushing. In addition, the rigid handles can become slippery in wet conditions which often are encountered during brushing. [0004] One approach has been t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] When used in the handle portion, the elastomer provides a comfortable and non-slippery gripping surface in a variety of conditions, including dry environments as well as the wet or slurry environments often encountered during brushing. The elastomer also provides flexible characteristics which are particularly well suited for flexible heads or other hinged handle designs. In addition, the elastomeric material can be incorporated into other components such as, but not limited to, bristles and / or a flexible pick.

Problems solved by technology

Toothbrush handles constructed from such rigid materials can be uncomfortable to grip and difficult to manipulate during brushing.

In addition, the rigid handles can become slippery in wet conditions which often are encountered during brushing.

However, such elastomers tend to be expensive and add significant cost to the manufacture of the toothbrush.

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