Oral care implement
By designing a toothbrush head with a central and peripheral bristle tuft structure, the problem of monotonous brushing sensation in existing toothbrushes is solved, providing a diverse brushing experience and efficient cleaning effect to meet the needs of different users.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
- Filing Date
- 2018-12-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
Smart Images
Figure CN116616554B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application filed on December 13, 2018, with application number "201880100143.6" and invention title "Oral Care Appliance". Technical Field
[0002] This application relates to an oral care appliance. Background Technology
[0003] Various appliances and instruments for maintaining oral health are known. For example, manual and electric toothbrushes, dental floss, dental cleaning agents, applicators, and medications are known to provide different benefits in the oral cavity. The main component for cleaning teeth is the cleaning element of a toothbrush, which may include fine bristles and a rubber element referred to in the art as a thin layer. Different toothbrush users desire different sensations during brushing. Specifically, some people prefer a stiffer brush, which provides the user with confidence that the cleaning element removes debris from the teeth. However, others find such stiff brushes uncomfortable and prefer a softer cleaning element and a softer sensation during brushing. Therefore, there is a need for a dental cleaning appliance that provides the desired sensation while also effectively removing other debris and plaque from teeth and gums. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to an oral care appliance having a head with a bristle-bearing surface. The oral care appliance may include a central bristle tuft extending from a central portion of the bristle-bearing surface, the central bristle tuft terminating at a distal dome surface. Furthermore, the oral care appliance may include a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts extending from the bristle-bearing surface and arranged circumferentially around the central bristle tuft. Each of the peripheral bristle tufts may have an inclined distal surface sloping downward toward the central bristle tuft. The bristle-bearing surface of the head may have a total surface area (TSA), and the toothbrush may include a field of tooth cleaning elements having X tooth cleaning elements collectively occupying a total cleaning element area (TCEA), such that... And Z is in the range of 0.04 to 0.065.
[0005] In one aspect, the present invention can be an oral care appliance comprising: a head extending along a longitudinal axis and having a bristle-bearing surface, a rear surface opposite to the bristle-bearing surface, and a side surface extending between the bristle-bearing surface and the rear surface; a central bristle tuft extending from a central portion of the bristle-bearing surface and terminating at a dome-shaped distal surface; and a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts arranged circumferentially around the central bristle tuft, each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts including an inclined distal surface sloping downward toward the central bristle tuft.
[0006] In another aspect, the present invention can be an oral care appliance comprising: a head extending along a longitudinal axis and having a front surface, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and a side surface extending between the front and rear surfaces, the front surface having a total surface area (TSA); and a field of tooth cleaning elements extending from the front surface, the field of tooth cleaning elements comprising X tooth cleaning elements, the X tooth cleaning elements collectively occupying a total cleaning element area (TCEA); wherein And Z is in the range of 0.04 to 0.065.
[0007] Other applicable areas of the invention will become apparent from the detailed descriptions provided below. It should be understood that while the detailed descriptions and specific examples indicate preferred embodiments of the invention, they are intended for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0008] The invention will be more fully understood from the detailed embodiments and accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of an oral care appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] Figure 2 It is described as Figure 1 Region II Figure 1 A close-up image of the head of an oral care appliance;
[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Front view of the head;
[0012] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line IV-IV;
[0013] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of line VV;
[0014] Figure 6 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line VI-VI;
[0015] Figure 7 According to the first alternative embodiment of the present invention, along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from line IV-IV;
[0016] Figure 8 According to the first alternative embodiment of the present invention, along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of line VV;
[0017] Figure 9 This is a close-up perspective view of the head of an oral care appliance according to a second alternative embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A close-up front view of the head. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or its uses.
[0020] The description of exemplary embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which will be considered part of the entire written description. Any references to directions or orientations in the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are intended only for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” and “bottom,” and their derivatives (e.g., “horizontally,” “downward,” “upward,” etc.) should be understood to refer to orientations as shown in the drawings described later or discussed. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise. Terms such as “attach,” “connect,” “join,” “interconnect,” and similar words refer to a relationship in which structures are fixed or attached to each other, either directly or indirectly, through an intermediary structure, and to an attachment or relationship in which both are movable or fixed, unless otherwise explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, the features and beneficial effects of the invention are illustrated with reference to exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments that illustrate some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in combination with other features; the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
[0021] The term "range" is used throughout as a concise expression to describe each value within the range. Any value within the range can be chosen as the endpoint of the range. Furthermore, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety. In the event of any conflict between the definitions in this disclosure and those in the cited references, this disclosure shall prevail.
[0022] First refer to Figure 1This document describes an oral care appliance 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The oral care appliance 100 generally includes a handle 110 and a head 120. The handle 110 and the head 120 can be formed as a single, integral structure during an injection molding process. Therefore, in some embodiments, the handle 110 and the head 120 can be formed from rigid plastic materials such as those mentioned below. Of course, the invention is not limited to this structure in all embodiments, and in alternative embodiments, the head 120 can be separable from the handle 110, such that the head 120 is a replacement head, as the term is generally known in the art. In such embodiments, it is possible to replace the head 120 with a new head while keeping the handle 110 identical. The general shape of the handle 110 and the head 120 is not limited to the shapes depicted in the drawings in all embodiments, which only depict an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment.
[0023] The handle 110 is an elongated structure that provides a mechanism for a user to hold and manipulate the oral care appliance 100 during use. In the illustrated embodiments, the handle 110 is generally depicted having various profiles for user comfort. Of course, the invention is not limited to all embodiments, and in some other embodiments, the handle 110 may take various shapes, profiles, and configurations, which are not limitations on the invention unless so specified in the claims. In the illustrated embodiments, the handle 110 and the head 120 are formed of a rigid plastic material, such as, but not limited to, polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds, and polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate. Of course, the handle 110 may include an elastic material (such as a thermoplastic elastomer) as a gripping cover, molded onto part or all of the handle 110 to enhance the grip of the handle 110 during use. For example, the portion of the handle 110 that is typically gripped by the user's palm during use can be molded with a thermoplastic elastomer or other elastic material to further enhance user comfort. Additionally, the head 120 can also include an elastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer on its rear surface to provide tongue or cheek cleaning functionality.
[0024] The oral care appliance 100 also includes a plurality of cleaning elements 115 attached to and extending from a head 120. The plurality of cleaning elements 115 can be attached to the head using any technology now known or hereafter discovered, including stapling, anchorless clusters (AFT), in-mold clusters (IMT), pressure-temperature-time (PTt) anchorless cluster technology, etc. In stapling technology, the bristle clusters are folded into a U-shape and then secured within cluster holes using stapes. In AFT technology, bristle clusters are inserted through holes in the headplate, and the ends of the clusters extending from the back of the headplate are fused together to form a layer of bristle material adjacent to the rear surface of the headplate. This prevents the bristle clusters from being pulled back through the cluster holes. The headplate is then secured to the head using ultrasonic welding, adhesives, etc. In PTt technology, bristle filaments are arranged in clusters, and the individual clusters are then fused together to form clusters with mushroom-shaped ends. The clusters with mushroom-shaped ends are then inserted into pre-removed holes in the toothbrush head. Then, pressure and heat are applied to the toothbrush head, causing the surface of the toothbrush head to reshape itself to close the mushroom-shaped ends of the cluster, thereby securing it firmly. The invention is not intended to be particularly limited to the manner in which the cleaning element 115 is attached to the head 120. However, the cleaning element 115 should be attached to the head 120 in such a manner that it extends from the head 120, so that it can be used to clean the user's teeth, gums, and other oral surfaces. The cleaning element 115 can extend vertically from the head 120, at an angle relative to the head 120, or a combination of both, as needed.
[0025] refer to Figure 2 and 3 The head 120 and cleaning element 115 will be described in more detail below. The head 120 extends from a proximal end 121 to a distal end 122 and includes a longitudinal axis AA extending between the proximal end 121 and the distal end 122. The head 120 also includes a transverse axis BB perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA and equidistant from the proximal end 121 and the distal end 122 of the head 120. The head 120 also includes a front surface 123, a rear surface 124 opposite to the front surface 123, and a lateral surface 125 extending between the front surface 123 and the rear surface 124. The transverse axis BB of the head 120 is oriented to intersect the lateral surface 125 of the head 120 twice, while being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA. The front surface 123 of the head 120 is the surface from which the cleaning element 115 extends. Therefore, the front surface 123 of the head 120 may be referred to herein as the bristle-bearing surface. When using the AFT technique, the head plate may be considered as forming part of the head, such that the front surface of the head plate forms at least a portion of the front surface of the head.
[0026] The cleaning element 115 generally comprises a central bristle tuft 130 and a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160 arranged circumferentially around the central bristle tuft 130. To avoid clutter, not all peripheral bristle tufts 160 are labeled in the accompanying drawings, but it should be readily understood which cleaning elements 115 are peripheral bristle tufts 160. The peripheral bristle tufts 160 are not all identical; some have different lateral cross-sectional areas and different shapes when viewed from a top plan view. This will be discussed in more detail below. Typically, the peripheral bristle tufts 160 are constructed in pairs such that each pair of peripheral bristle tufts 160 has the same shape, but differs from the shape of other pairs of peripheral bristle tufts 160.
[0027] A central bristle tuft 130 is attached to the head 120 within a tuft aperture and is located within the central portion of the front surface 123 of the head 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the central bristle tuft 130 is located at the intersection of the longitudinal axis AA and the transverse axis BB of the head 120. Each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 is attached to the head 120 within a separate tuft aperture positioned along the outer periphery of the front surface 123 of the head 120, which surrounds the central portion of the front surface 123 of the head 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis AA intersects with both peripheral bristle tufts 160 and the central bristle tuft 130. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis AA divides the central bristle tuft 130 into two equal halves with the same cross-sectional area, but divides the two peripheral bristle tufts 160 intersecting with it into two parts with different cross-sectional areas. Therefore, the peripheral bristle tufts 160 intersecting with the longitudinal axis AA are asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis AA, while the central bristle tuft 130 is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis AA.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the central bristle tuft 130 comprises multiple filamentous bristles. In fact, in the illustrated embodiment, the central bristle tuft 130 consists of multiple filamentous bristles. Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 comprises or consists of multiple filamentous bristles. Such filamentous bristles may include rounded-end bristles, tapered bristles, spiral bristles, dual-core bristles, core-sheath bristles, or any other combination of types of bristles now known or hereafter discovered. The filamentous bristles may be formed from nylon or other widely accepted materials commonly used to form toothbrush bristles. For example, filamentous bristles may be made from animal hair or other natural materials, nylon-polyester blends, or other plastic materials. The filamentous bristles may also have any desired thickness / diameter, or different filamentous bristles may have different thicknesses / diameters, ranging from 4 mils to 9 mils, and more specifically, 5 mils to 7 mils. Some cleaning elements 115 may also be formed of elastic materials, such as rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, etc. However, in some preferred embodiments, the cleaning elements 115 do not include any such elastic or rubber elements, but all cleaning elements 15 are bristle clusters comprising (or composed of) fine bristles.
[0029] In some embodiments, the central bristle tuft 130 is formed by a plurality of first bristles having a first diameter, and each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160 is formed by a plurality of second bristles having a second diameter. The root diameter of the first and second bristles is the diameter of the bristles located near the bristle tip within the tuft opening in the head 120. Typically, the root diameter of the first and second bristles is the maximum diameter of the bristles, particularly when the first and second bristles are tapered bristles. In the illustrated embodiment, the first diameter of the first bristles of the central bristle tuft 130 is smaller than the second diameter of the second bristles of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. Therefore, the peripheral bristle tuft 160 is made of bristles with a diameter larger than that of the bristles forming the central bristle tuft 130. For example, in some embodiments, the bristles of the peripheral bristle tuft 160 may be 6 mils, and the bristles of the central bristle tuft 130 may be 5 mils. In other embodiments, all bristles of the central bristle tuft 130 and the peripheral bristle tuft 160 may be 5 mils, or all bristles of the central bristle tuft 130 and the peripheral bristle tuft 160 may be 6 mils, wherein each bristle has the same thickness or diameter.
[0030] Furthermore, in some preferred embodiments, each of the first bristles and each of the second bristles may be a tapered bristle; however, as mentioned above, this is not necessary in all embodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first bristles of the central bristle tuft 130 may be tapered, while the second bristles of the peripheral bristle tuft 160 may have rounded ends. In other embodiments, the first bristles of the central bristle tuft 130 may have rounded ends, while the second bristles of the peripheral bristle tuft 160 may be tapered. In still other embodiments, all bristles may be non-tapered and have the same thickness (e.g., 5 mils or 6 mils). In other embodiments, the bristles of the peripheral bristle tuft 160 may be 6 mils and tapered, while the bristles of the central bristle tuft 130 may be 5 mils and not tapered.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the central bristle tuft 130 has an elliptical transverse cross-sectional profile (or top plan view) with a major axis CC and a minor axis DD. The central bristle tuft 130 has a larger dimension or length measured along the major axis CC than measured along the minor axis DD. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the major axis CC extends along the longitudinal axis AA of the head 120. Therefore, if the central bristle tuft 130 is described as having a length measured along the major axis CC and a width measured along the minor axis DD, the length is greater than the width. The central bristle tuft 130 has an outer surface 131, as seen in the top plan view. Each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 is positioned adjacent to the outer surface 131 of the central bristle tuft 130, but a small space or gap exists between the peripheral bristle tufts 160 and the central bristle tuft 130.
[0032] Each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 is adjacent to the central bristle tuft 130 and to the outer periphery 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer periphery 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120 is defined by an elliptical line. Of course, in other embodiments, the outer periphery 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120 may be defined by a boundary having other shapes. In either case, the peripheral bristle tufts 160 extend between the outer periphery 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120 and the central bristle tuft 130, wherein no other bristles or cleaning elements are located between: (1) the peripheral bristle tufts 160 and the central bristle tuft 130; and (2) the peripheral bristle tufts 160 and the outer periphery 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120. Thus, the term “adjacent” means that there is no intervening bristle tuft or no other cleaning element located between the two elements referred to as adjacent. Because the peripheral bristle tuft 160 is adjacent to the central bristle tuft 130, no cleaning element is located between the peripheral bristle tuft 160 and the central bristle tuft 130. Similarly, because the peripheral bristle tuft 160 is adjacent to the outer periphery 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120, no cleaning element is located between the peripheral bristle tuft 160 and the outer periphery 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120. In some embodiments, the cleaning element 115 consists only of the central bristle tuft 130 and the peripheral bristle tuft 160, wherein no other cleaning elements are included as part of the oral care appliance 100.
[0033] The outer bristle tufts 160 are not oval in shape, but rather have a more wedge-shaped shape. Therefore, as in Figure 3 As best seen in the top plan view, the peripheral bristle tuft 160 has an inner sidewall 161 adjacent to and facing the central bristle tuft 130 and an outer sidewall 162 adjacent to and facing the front surface 123 of the head 120. The inner sidewall 161 is flat or concave, and the outer sidewall 162 is flat or convex.
[0034] Each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 also includes a first sidewall 163 and a second sidewall 164 opposite to the first sidewall 163. The first sidewall 163 and the second sidewall 164 extend between the inner sidewall 161 and the outer sidewall 162. The inner sidewall 161 and the outer sidewall 162, together with the first sidewall 163 and the second sidewall 164, form the outer boundary of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first sidewalls 163 is convex, and each of the second sidewalls 164 is concave. Furthermore, the outer sidewall 162 is generally longer than the inner sidewall 161, which gives the peripheral bristle tuft 160 a generally wedge-shaped shape. The individual sidewalls are designated only with respect to a pair of peripheral bristle tufts 160, and it should be understood that the above description applies to each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160.
[0035] like Figure 3As seen, the peripheral bristle tufts 160 are arranged and positioned circumferentially side-by-side, such that for each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160, a convex first sidewall 163 is opposite to a concave second sidewall 164 of an adjacent peripheral bristle tuft 160. Thus, the convex first sidewall 163 of one peripheral bristle tuft 160 is adjacent to and faces the concave second sidewall 164 of another peripheral bristle tuft 160. This provides a nested appearance of the adjacently positioned peripheral bristle tufts 160. Furthermore, due to this convex-concave shape of the sidewalls, the gaps or spaces between adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160 are curved or arcuate.
[0036] Still referencing Figure 2 and 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the head 120 has eight peripheral bristle tufts 160. However, this is not required in all embodiments, and in other embodiments, there may be fewer or more than eight peripheral bristle tufts 160. However, in some embodiments, there may be no more than ten peripheral bristle tufts 160.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160 include a first peripheral bristle tuft 171, a second peripheral bristle tuft 172, a third peripheral bristle tuft 173, a fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174, a fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175, a sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176, a seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177, and an eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178. The first peripheral bristle tuft 171 has a first transverse cross-sectional profile, the second peripheral bristle tuft 172 has a second transverse cross-sectional profile, the third peripheral bristle tuft 173 has a third transverse cross-sectional profile, the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 has a fourth transverse cross-sectional profile, the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 has a first transverse cross-sectional profile, the sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176 has a second transverse cross-sectional profile, the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177 has a third transverse cross-sectional profile, and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178 has a fourth transverse cross-sectional profile. Therefore, the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 have the same transverse cross-sectional profile, the second peripheral bristle tuft 172 and the sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176 have the same transverse cross-sectional profile, the third peripheral bristle tuft 173 and the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177 have the same transverse cross-sectional profile, and the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178 have the same transverse cross-sectional profile. In the illustrated embodiment, the first transverse cross-sectional profile, the second transverse cross-sectional profile, the third transverse cross-sectional profile, and the fourth transverse cross-sectional profile are different from each other. As used herein, the transverse cross-sectional profiles can also be top plan view profiles or shapes, as they can be the same.
[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, starting from the peripheral bristle tuft positioned at the distal end 122 adjacent to the head 120 and intersecting the longitudinal axis AA, a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160 are arranged circumferentially around the central bristle tuft 130 in a clockwise order: a first peripheral bristle tuft 171, a second peripheral bristle tuft 172, a third peripheral bristle tuft 173, a fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174, a fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175, a sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176, a seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177, and an eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178. The second peripheral bristle tuft 172, the third peripheral bristle tuft 173, and the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis AA relative to the sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176, the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177, and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment and as described above, the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 intersect the longitudinal axis AA. However, the longitudinal axis AA does not intersect the inner sidewalls 161 of the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175. In fact, the inner sidewall 161 of the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 is located on a first side of the longitudinal axis AA, and the inner sidewall 161 of the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 is located on a second side of the longitudinal axis AA. In other words, the first sidewall 161 of the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 is located on the same side of the longitudinal axis AA as the sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176, the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177, and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178, while the first sidewall 161 of the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 is located on the same side of the longitudinal axis AA as the second peripheral bristle tuft 172, the third peripheral bristle tuft 173, and the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174. A portion of both the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 is located on both sides of the longitudinal axis AA.
[0040] A first axis EE, inclined relative to the longitudinal axis AA, intersects with a second peripheral bristle tuft 172 and a sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176 having a first shape; a second axis FF, inclined relative to the longitudinal axis AA, intersects with a third peripheral bristle tuft 173 and a seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177 having a second shape; and a third axis GG, inclined relative to the longitudinal axis AA, intersects with a fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 and an eighth peripheral bristle tuft 177 having a third shape. The first, second, and third shapes are different from each other. The longitudinal axis AA intersects with a first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and a fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 having a fourth shape, which is different from each of the first, second, and third shapes. The peripheral bristle tufts 160 are arranged in a repeating sequence, for example: first shape, second shape, third shape, fourth shape, first shape, second shape, third shape, fourth shape, wherein each of the first, second, third, and fourth shapes is different from each other. In some embodiments, the number of different shapes of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 is equal to the number of peripheral bristle tufts 160 divided by two, and thus the shape sequence is repeated twice, but in other embodiments it may be repeated more than twice.
[0041] The cleaning elements 115 together form a dental cleaning element field of an oral care appliance. In the illustrated embodiment, the dental cleaning element field consists of a central bristle tuft 130 and a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160. However, in other embodiments, it is possible to include other cleaning elements in the dental cleaning element field.
[0042] Various peripheral bristle tufts 160 are arranged such that there are no planes perpendicular to the front surface 123 and rear surface 124 of the head 120 that pass through the gaps between adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160 on the first side of the longitudinal axis AA and the gaps between adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160 on the second side of the longitudinal axis AA, but do not intersect with at least one of the peripheral bristle tufts 160. For example, there is a plane perpendicular to the front surface 123 and rear surface 124 of the head 120 that passes through the gap between the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177 and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178, but does not intersect with the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177 and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178. However, this plane does not simultaneously pass through the gap between the third peripheral bristle tuft 173 and the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 (or any other bristle tufts other than peripheral bristle tufts 173 and 174), but does not intersect with the third peripheral bristle tuft 173 and the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174. Instead, the plane actually intersects the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 and does not pass through the gap between the third peripheral bristle tuft 173 and the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174. This is true for any plane that passes through the gap between any two adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. In other words, any plane perpendicular to the gap between adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160 on one side of the longitudinal axis AA (not intersecting those adjacent bristle tufts of the peripheral bristle tuft 160) on the other side of the longitudinal axis AA will intersect one peripheral bristle tuft 160.
[0043] The gap between any two adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160 is arc-shaped. Therefore, due to the curvature of the sidewalls of the peripheral bristle tufts 160, for some adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160, there is no plane that can pass through the gap without intersecting those adjacent peripheral bristle tufts 160. For example, there is no plane perpendicular to the front surface 123 and rear surface 124 of the head 120 that passes through the gap between the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the second peripheral bristle tuft 172 without intersecting any part of the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the second peripheral bristle tuft 172. The same applies to at least the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 and the sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176.
[0044] The front surface 123 of the head 120 includes a total surface area (which may be referred to herein by the acronym TSA), which is the surface area of the portion of the front surface 123 of the head 120 defined by the outer perimeter 126 of the front surface 123 of the head 120. This total surface area TSA can be 200-220 mm². 2The surface area is within the range specified, but in other embodiments, larger and smaller surface areas are of course possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral cross-sectional area of the central bristle tuft 130 accounts for between 5% and 15% of the total surface area of the front surface 123 of the head 120, and more specifically between 8% and 12% of the total surface area of the front surface 123 of the head 120. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160 accounts for less than 9% of the total surface area of the front surface 123 of the head 120. In some embodiments, no single bristle tuft of the central bristle tuft 130 and the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160 accounts for more than 9% of the total surface area of the first surface 123 of the head 120. In some embodiments, the central bristle tuft 130 and the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 130 together account for at least 50% of the total surface area of the front surface 123 of the head 120.
[0045] As described above, the anterior surface 123 of the head 120 has a total surface area (TSA). Furthermore, the cleaning elements 115 (also referred to herein as dental cleaning elements) collectively occupy a total cleaning element area (TCEA), which is a portion of the total surface area (TSA) of the anterior surface 123 of the head 120 occupied by the cleaning elements 115. In some embodiments, the total cleaning element area (TCEA) can be 105-120 mm². 2 The range is defined above, but in other embodiments, TCEA may exceed the aforementioned range. In some embodiments, It can be in the range of 0.4 to 0.6, or more specifically 0.45 to 0.55, and even more specifically 0.5 to 0.55. Therefore, the cleaning element 115 can collectively occupy approximately 40% to 60%, more specifically 45% to 55%, and even more specifically 50% to 55% of the total surface area TSA of the front surface 123 of the head 120.
[0046] Any desired number of cleaning elements 115 can be present on the head 120. Therefore, it can be said that there are X cleaning elements 115 on the head 120, where each cleaning element 115 is a different tuft of bristles. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, there are nine tooth cleaning elements (i.e., X = 9), but in other embodiments, there may be more or fewer than nine cleaning elements. In some embodiments, there may be between five and fifteen cleaning elements, and therefore X may be in the range of 5 to 15, or more specifically, 5 to 10. In the illustrated embodiment, as described above, each of the tooth cleaning elements may occupy less than 9% of the total surface area of the front surface 123 of the head 120. In some embodiments, each of the tooth cleaning elements 115 may occupy between 5% and 25% of the total surface area of the front surface 123 of the head 120. More specifically, in some embodiments, each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 may occupy between 5% and 8% of the total surface area TSA of the front surface 123 of the head 120, and the central bristle tuft 130 may occupy between 8% and 12% of the total surface area TSA of the front surface 123 of the head 120.
[0047] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 may occupy between 8% and 13% of the total dental cleaning element area (TCEA), while the central bristle tuft 130 may occupy between 15% and 21% of the TCEA. In some embodiments, each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 may occupy between 9% and 13% of the TCEA, while the central bristle tuft 130 may occupy between 14% and 17% of the TCEA. In another embodiment, each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 may occupy between 8% and 12% of the TCEA, while the central bristle tuft 130 may occupy between 20% and 22% of the TCEA. Therefore, the lateral cross-sectional area of the central bristle tuft 130 may be larger than the lateral cross-sectional area of each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160. In other words, the central bristle tuft 130 occupies a larger surface area of the front surface 123 of the head 120 than each individual peripheral bristle tuft 160. In some embodiments, the central bristle tuft 130 may have a larger surface area occupied by the two peripheral bristle tufts 160 on the front surface 123 of the head 120 than the two peripheral bristle tufts 160 together.
[0048] In some embodiments, This ensures that Z is in the range of 0.04 to 0.065, or more specifically, 0.05 to 0.062. Specifically, in the illustrated implementation, X is nine because there are nine bristle tufts (one central bristle tuft 130 and eight peripheral bristle tufts 160). Furthermore, TCEA / TSA equals some value in the range of 0.5 to 0.55. Therefore, (1 / 9)*0.5 = 0.056 and (1 / 9)*0.55 = 0.061 both fall within the range of 0.05 to 0.062. In some embodiments, X, TCEA, and / or TSA may be modified while Z remains within the range provided in this disclosure.
[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 have the same lateral cross-sectional area, the second peripheral bristle tuft 172 and the sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176 have the same lateral cross-sectional area, the third peripheral bristle tuft 173 and the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177 have the same lateral cross-sectional area, and the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178 have the same lateral cross-sectional area. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the first peripheral bristle tuft, the second peripheral bristle tuft, the third peripheral bristle tuft, and the fourth peripheral bristle tufts 171-174 each have different lateral cross-sectional areas, and the fifth peripheral bristle tuft, the sixth peripheral bristle tuft, the seventh peripheral bristle tuft, and the eighth peripheral bristle tufts 175 and 178 each have different lateral cross-sectional areas. In some embodiments, the first peripheral bristle tuft 171 and the fifth peripheral bristle tuft 175 have the largest lateral cross-sectional area of the peripheral bristle tuft 160, the second peripheral bristle tuft 172 and the sixth peripheral bristle tuft 176 have the second largest lateral cross-sectional area of the peripheral bristle tuft 160, the fourth peripheral bristle tuft 174 and the eighth peripheral bristle tuft 178 have the third largest lateral cross-sectional area of the peripheral bristle tuft 160, and the third peripheral bristle tuft 173 and the seventh peripheral bristle tuft 177 have the smallest lateral cross-sectional area of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. However, in some alternative embodiments, modifications are possible. As described above, the central bristle tuft 130 may have a larger lateral cross-sectional area than each individual peripheral bristle tuft 160.
[0050] Now refer to Figure 4-6Various cross-sectional views taken through the head 120 of the oral care appliance 100 are provided and will be described. In this embodiment, the cleaning element 115 is attached to the head 120 using AFT technology. Specifically, in this embodiment, a headplate 101 is provided having a front surface 102, a rear surface 103, and a plurality of holes 104 extending therethrough. The cleaning element 115 is assembled into bristle tufts 130, 160 and inserted into the holes 104 in the headplate 101 such that a first portion of the bristle tufts 130, 160 protrudes from the front surface 102 of the headplate 101, and a second portion of the bristle tufts 130, 160 protrudes from the rear surface 103 of the headplate 101. The second portion of the bristle tufts 130, 160 is heat-melted and then cooled, thereby forming a fused pad 105 positioned against the rear surface 103 of the headplate 101. The first portion of the bristle tufts 130, 160 extends from the front surface 102 of the headplate 101 and is used to clean the user's oral cavity. A fused pad 105 prevents the bristle tufts 130, 160 from being pulled across the front of the headplate 101. The headplate 101 is attached to the head using welding (possibly ultrasonic welding), adhesives, mechanical interaction, etc. Of course, any of other techniques (some of which have been described or mentioned herein) may be used to attach the cleaning element 115 to the head 120.
[0051] The central bristle tuft 130 extends from the central portion of the front surface 123 of the head 120 and terminates at the distal surface 132 of the dome. (As...) Figure 4 As seen, the distal surface 132 of the dome is convex in its longitudinal lateral profile. For example... Figure 5 As seen, the distal dome surface 132 is also convex in the lateral profile. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the distal dome surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130 is perfectly dome-shaped. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the distal dome surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130 is a continuous surface without a central opening. Therefore, the distal dome surface 132 is a continuous surface in which there are no breaks, holes, openings, etc. (except for the normal and natural spacing that may exist between the individual bristle filaments of the bristle tuft).
[0052] A central bristle tuft 130 extends along a central tuft axis HH from its bottom end to a dome distal surface 132. The dome distal surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130 has a vertex 133 positioned along the central tuft axis HH. Therefore, the highest portion of the dome distal surface 132 formed by or at the vertex 133 is aligned with the central tuft axis HH. The central bristle tuft 130 has sidewalls 134 defining the central tuft axis HH. The sidewalls 134 of the central bristle tuft 130 form the outer surface 131 of the central bristle tuft 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls 134 of the central bristle tuft 130 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the front surface 123 of the head 120.
[0053] The sidewall 134 of the central bristle tuft 130 intersects the distal surface 132 of the dome to form the outer edge 135 of the distal surface 132 of the dome. The central bristle tuft 130 has a first height H1 at the outer edge 135 of the distal surface 132 of the dome and a maximum height at the apex 133. As shown, the first height H1 is measured from the front surface 123 of the head 120 to the outer edge 135 of the distal surface 132 of the dome.
[0054] Each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 extends from the front surface 123 of the head 120 to a sloping distal surface 165 that slopes downward toward the central bristle tuft 130. The sloping distal surface 165 slopes downward in the direction from the lateral surface 125 of the head 120 toward the central bristle tuft 130. Therefore, due to the sloping ramp shape of the distal surface 165 of the peripheral bristle tufts 160, toothpaste paste on the cleaning element 115 will naturally flow downward along the sloping distal surface 165 toward the central bristle tuft 130.
[0055] For each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160, the inner sidewall 161 intersects the inclined distal surface 165 to form the inner edge 166 of the inclined distal surface 165 facing the center bristle tuft 130, and the outer sidewall 162 intersects the inclined distal surface 165 to form the outer edge 167 of the inclined distal surface 165 facing the lateral surface 125 of the head 120. Each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160 has a second height H2 at the inner edge 166 of the inclined distal surface 166 and a third height H3 at the outer edge 167 of the inclined distal surface 166. The second height H2 and the third height H3 are measured from the front surface 123 of the head 120 to the inner edge 166 and the outer edge 167 of the inclined distal surface 166, respectively. Due to the slope of the inclined distal surface 165, the third height H3 is greater than the second height H2.
[0056] In this embodiment, the first height H1 of the outer edge 135 of the distal dome surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130 is greater than the second height H2 of the inner edge 166 of the inclined distal surface 165 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. Furthermore, the third height H3 of the outer edge 167 of the inclined distal surface 165 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160 is greater than the first height H1 of the outer edge 135 of the distal dome surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130. This is true for each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distal dome surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130 lies entirely between: (1) a plane parallel to the front surface 123 of the head 120 and intersecting the inner edge 166 of the inclined distal surface 165 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160; and (2) a plane parallel to the front surface 123 of the head 120 and intersecting the outer edge 166 of the inclined distal surface 165 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. In this embodiment, the central bristle tuft 130 has a maximum height at the vertex 133 of the distal surface 132 of the dome, which is greater than the second height H2 and less than the third height H3.
[0057] Therefore, in this embodiment, the dome distal surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130 is completely aligned with the inclined distal surface 165 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. No part of the dome distal surface 132 of the central bristle tuft 130 is located below the inclined distal surface 165 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160 (i.e., closer to the front surface 123 of the head 120).
[0058] Figure 7 and 8 An alternative embodiment according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1 The head 120a of the oral care instrument 100. Most of the above description applies to... Figure 7 and 8 Therefore, only the different features in these figures will be described in detail. Furthermore, for this embodiment, the suffix "a" will be used for each reference numeral to distinguish different embodiments from one another.
[0059] The head 120a includes a front surface 123a and a rear surface 124a opposite to the front surface 123a. Furthermore, a plurality of cleaning elements 115a are coupled to the head 120a and extend from the front surface 123a of the head 120a. The plurality of cleaning elements 115 include a central bristle tuft 130a and a plurality of peripheral bristle tufts 160a. The peripheral bristle tufts 160a are arranged circumferentially around the central bristle tuft 130a. In this embodiment, the cleaning elements 115a are coupled to the head using PTt technology, which has been described in detail above and will therefore not be repeated here.
[0060] The central bristle tuft 130a has a dome-shaped distal surface 132a and a sidewall 134a, which intersects the dome-shaped distal surface to form an outer edge 135a of the dome-shaped distal surface 132a. The central bristle tuft 130a has a fourth height H4 at the outer edge 135a of the dome-shaped distal surface 132a, which is measured from the front surface 123a of the head 120a to the outer edge 135a.
[0061] Each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160a has a sloping distal surface 165a that slopes downward toward the central bristle tuft 130a. Furthermore, each of the peripheral bristle tufts 160a includes an inner sidewall 161a and an outer sidewall 162a opposite to the inner sidewall 161a. The inner sidewall intersects the sloping distal surface 165a to form an inner edge 166a of the sloping distal surface 165a, and the outer sidewall intersects the sloping distal surface 165a to form an outer edge 167a of the sloping distal surface 165a. The peripheral bristle tufts 160a have a fifth height H5 at the inner edge 166a of the sloping distal surface 165a and a sixth height H6 at the outer edge 167a of the sloping distal surface 165a. The fifth height H5 and the sixth height H6 are measured from the front surface 123a of the head 120a to the inner edge 166a and the outer edge 167a. Because of the downward slope of the inclined distal surface 165a, the sixth height H6 is greater than the fifth height H5.
[0062] The main difference between this embodiment and the previously described embodiment involves the relative height of the outer edge 135a of the distal surface 132a of the dome and the inner edge 166a and outer edge 167a of the inclined distal surface 165a of the peripheral bristle tuft 160. Specifically, in this embodiment, the fourth height H4 of the central bristle tuft 130a is less than the fifth height H5 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a, and the fifth height H5 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a is less than the sixth height H6 of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a. Therefore, the outer edge 135a of the distal surface 132 of the dome is located below the plane parallel to the front surface 123a of the head 120a that intersects with the inner edge 166a of the inclined distal surface 165a of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a.
[0063] However, in this embodiment, the central bristle tuft 130a has a maximum height measured at the apex 133a of the distal surface 132a of the dome. The maximum height of the central bristle tuft 130a is greater than the fifth height H5 and less than the sixth height H6. Therefore, the apex 133a of the central bristle tuft 130a lies between the following planes: (1) a plane parallel to the front surface 123a of the head 120a and intersecting the inner edge 166a of the inclined distal surface 165a of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a, and (2) a plane parallel to the front surface 123a of the head 120a and intersecting the outer edge 167a of the inclined distal surface 165a of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the outer edge 135a of the dome distal surface 132a of the central bristle tuft 130a is located below the inner edge 166a and outer edge 167a of the inclined distal surface 165a of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a (i.e., between the inner edge 166a of the head 120a and the front surface 123a), and the apex 133a of the dome distal surface 132a of the central bristle tuft 130a is located between the inner edge 166a and outer edge 167a of the inclined distal surface 165a of the peripheral bristle tuft 160a.
[0064] Figure 9 and 10 Another alternative embodiment according to the invention is shown. Figure 1 The head 120b of the oral care instrument 100. Most of the above description applies to... Figure 9 and 10 Therefore, only the different features in these figures will be described in detail. Furthermore, for this embodiment, the suffix "b" will be used for each reference numeral to distinguish different embodiments from one another.
[0065] In this embodiment, the head 120b is the same as the one referenced above. Figure 1-6 The head 120 described is the same, except that the distal dome surface 132b of the central bristle tuft 130b is not a continuous surface without a central opening. Instead, in this embodiment, the distal dome surface 132b of the central bristle tuft 130b includes a central opening 137b that provides access to the cavity 138b defined by the central bristle tuft 130b. Therefore, the central bristle tuft 130b includes an outer surface 140b and an inner surface 141b that surrounds and thereby defines the cavity 138b.
[0066] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples (including the currently preferred mode for carrying out the invention), those skilled in the art will understand that numerous variations and substitutions of the systems and techniques described above exist. It should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and structural and functional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should be broadly interpreted as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An oral care appliance, comprising: Head, the head including a front surface; A central bristle tuft extending from the front surface of the head, the central bristle tuft having a first height; as well as A plurality of peripheral bristle tufts extend from the front surface of the head and are arranged circumferentially around the central bristle tuft, wherein each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts comprises: The inner wall adjacent to the central bristle cluster; The outer wall adjacent to the outer edge of the head; A first sidewall extending between the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall, the first sidewall being convex, and A second sidewall extending between the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall, the second sidewall being concave, each of the plurality of peripheral bristle clusters having a bristle cluster width measured between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the bristle cluster width increasing with increasing distance from the central bristle cluster; Each of the plurality of peripheral bristle clusters has a second height measured along the inner sidewall and a third height measured along the outer sidewall; The first height of the central bristle cluster is greater than the second height of the outer bristle cluster and less than the third height of the outer bristle cluster; Adjacent peripheral bristle clusters are separated by gaps, the gaps having a gap width measured between a first sidewall and a second sidewall of adjacent peripheral bristle clusters, wherein the bristle cluster width of each of the plurality of peripheral bristle clusters is greater than the gap width of each of the gaps.
2. The oral care appliance of claim 1, wherein for each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts, the outer sidewall has a greater length than the inner sidewall, the inner sidewall is flat or concave, and the outer sidewall is flat or convex.
3. The oral care appliance according to claim 2, wherein the outer sidewall of at least one of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts is convex, and the inner sidewall of at least one of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts is concave.
4. The oral care appliance of claim 1, wherein the head includes a longitudinal axis that intersects the second sidewall and the outer sidewall of two of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts but not the first sidewall and the inner sidewall of the two of the peripheral bristle tufts.
5. The oral care appliance of claim 1, wherein none of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts is symmetrical about an axis intersecting the inner and outer sidewalls of the peripheral bristle tuft.
6. The oral care appliance of claim 1, wherein the central bristle tuft is elliptical and comprises a plurality of bristle filaments.
7. The oral care appliance of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts terminates distally, and wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of peripheral bristle tufts is inclined downwardly in a direction moving from the outer sidewall to the inner sidewall.
8. The oral care appliance of claim 1, wherein the central bristle tuft terminates at the dome-shaped distal end.