Personal care appliance

Abstract

A personal care appliance may include a handle and a head. The handle may have a grip portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion between the grip portion and the neck portion. The thumb grip portion may be formed from a base member and a first grip member. The base member may include a cavity, a front surface having a first opening forming a passage into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening. The first grip member may be coupled to the base member. The first grip member may close a first opening in the front surface of the base member and overlie the first cantilevered tab.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 415,741, filed on October 13, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Background Art

[0003] Personal care appliances such as toothbrushes are often formed of plastic. It is now well known that plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues that must be addressed. Plastic cannot be decomposed, so all plastics ever produced still exist in one form or another. Although recycling has had a small impact on reducing plastics in landfills and oceans, there are still too many plastics in products that consumers use in their daily lives. In addition, plastics are made of materials including coal, salt, crude oil, and toxic substances such as benzene and vinyl hydrochloride. Therefore, many commodity manufacturers are working to reduce their plastic output to reduce the amount of plastics in landfills and oceans. The invention described herein attempts to solve these problems by reducing the amount of plastics in personal care appliances such as toothbrushes without negatively affecting the enjoyment of consumers during use thereof. The invention described herein also provides a new and improved grip while maintaining the common exterior appearance of personal care appliances. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a personal care appliance, which may include a handle and a head. The handle may have a grip portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion located between the grip portion and the neck portion. The thumb grip portion may be formed by a base member and a first grip member. The base member may include a cavity, a front surface having a first opening forming a passage into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening. The first grip member may be coupled to the base member. The first grip member may close the first opening in the front surface of the base member and overlie the first cantilevered tab.

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention can be a personal care appliance comprising: a handle, the handle comprising a grip portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion located between the grip portion and the neck portion, the thumb grip portion comprising: a base member, the base member comprising a cavity, a front surface having a first opening forming a passage into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening; and a first grip member connected to the base member, the first grip member closing the first opening in the front surface of the base member and covering the first cantilevered tab.

[0006] In another aspect, the present invention can be a personal care appliance comprising: a handle comprising a longitudinal axis, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a cavity having a first opening in the front surface, and a first tab extending across at least a portion of the first opening; a first elastomeric film connected to the handle, the first elastomeric film closing the first opening and covering the first tab; and wherein the first tab is configured to bend into the cavity when a first force is applied to the first elastomeric film in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0007] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a personal care appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 According to one embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a personal care appliance;

[0011] Figure 3 According to one embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a personal care appliance;

[0012] Figure 4A for Figure 1 a front view of a rigid base member of a personal care appliance;

[0013] Figure 4B for Figure 4A Close-up of region IV;

[0014] Figure 5A for Figure 1 a rear view of a rigid base member of a personal care appliance;

[0015] Figure 5B for Figure 5A A close-up of region V;

[0016] Figure 6 For along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line VI of ; and

[0017] Figure 7 For along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0019] The description of the illustrative embodiments according to the principles of the present invention is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered to be part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended only for the convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the present 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", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be interpreted as referring to the orientation as described later or as shown in the accompanying drawings in the discussion. Unless explicitly stated, these relative terms are only for the convenience of description and do not require the device to be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Unless expressly described otherwise, terms such as "attach", "attach", "connect", "couple", "interconnect" and the like refer to a relationship in which structures are fixed or attached to each other directly or indirectly through intermediate structures, as well as an attachment or relationship in which the two are movable or rigid. In addition, the features and benefits of the present invention are illustrated by reference to exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should obviously not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0020] Reference Figure 1 , a personal care appliance 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the personal care appliance 100 is a toothbrush, and more particularly a manual toothbrush. However, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and in other embodiments, the personal care appliance 100 can take other forms and be used for other purposes. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the personal care appliance 100 can be an electric toothbrush. In some other embodiments, the personal care appliance 100 can perform other functions, such as a dental floss device, a tooth scraper, a tongue cleaner, or any various other tools commonly used for oral care. In other embodiments, the personal care appliance 100 can be an appliance for personal care unrelated to the oral cavity, such as a razor, an applicator, a hairbrush, etc. The invention described herein mainly relates to the handle of the personal care appliance 100, so the present invention can be incorporated into different types of appliances with a handle for gripping, regardless of the functional tasks used for the appliance.

[0021] The personal care appliance 100 includes a rigid body 101 extending from a top end 102 to a bottom end 103 along a longitudinal axis AA. In an exemplary embodiment, the rigid body 101 forms a handle 110 and a head 120 of the personal care appliance 100. The handle 110 of the personal care appliance 100 is the portion that is gripped by the user during use, and the head 120 of the personal care appliance is the portion that performs a specific function (e.g., teeth cleaning, shaving, applying a composition to a surface, hair brushing, etc.). In an exemplary embodiment, the head 120 is formed integrally with the handle 110 as a single unitary structure using molding, milling, machining or other suitable processes. However, in other embodiments, the handle 110 and the head 120 can be formed as separate components that are operably connected at a later stage of the manufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art (including but not limited to heat welding or ultrasonic welding, close-fitting assembly, coupling sleeves, threaded engagement, adhesion or fasteners). In still other embodiments, the head 120 is removable from the handle 110 so that the head can be replaced or replaced to extend the life of the handle 110 and / or to enable the use of different heads with different functional components (different bristle configurations, or even different uses, such as a toothbrush head and a razor head).

[0022] The head 120 includes a front surface 121 and a rear surface 122 opposite to the front surface 121. In an exemplary embodiment, the personal care appliance 100 is a toothbrush, and therefore the head 120 of the personal care appliance 100 is provided with a universal block, which shows a tooth cleaning element 123 extending therefrom. In particular, the tooth cleaning element 123 is connected to the head 120 and extends from the front surface 121 of the head 120. In all embodiments, the precise structure, pattern, orientation and material of the tooth cleaning element 123 do not limit the present invention. As used herein, the term "tooth cleaning element" is used in a general sense to refer to any structure that can be used to clean, polish or wipe teeth and / or soft oral tissues (such as tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) by contacting relative surfaces. Common examples of "tooth cleaning elements" include, but are not limited to, bristle tufts, filament bristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymer protrusions, combinations thereof and / or structures comprising such materials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials include any biocompatible elastomeric materials suitable for oral hygiene equipment. In order to provide optimal comfort and cleaning benefits, the elastomeric materials of the engagement elements of teeth or soft tissues have a hardness characteristic within the range of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. A suitable elastomeric material is a styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured by GLS. However, SEBS materials from other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the hardness range can be used.

[0023] The tooth cleaning element 123 of the present invention can be connected to the head 120 in any manner known in the art. For example, nails / anchors, in-mold tufting (IMT), anchor free tufting (AFT), or pressure, temperature, time (PTT) can be used to install the cleaning element / tooth engagement element. In AFT, a plate or film is fixed to the toothbrush head, for example, by ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the plate or film. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or film perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or film are anchored in place by heat melting together. In PTT, the filaments are arranged in a cluster pattern, and then the individual filaments are melted together to form a cluster with a mushroom-shaped end. The cluster is then inserted into the pre-formed hole (pre-cored hole) of the toothbrush head. Next, pressure and heat are applied for a specific amount of time, during which the surface of the toothbrush head is self-shaped to surround the mushroom-shaped end of the cluster, thereby firmly fixing them. Alternatively, the bristles may be mounted to the tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles fits within or below the tuft blocks.Any suitable form of cleaning element may be used in the broad practice of the invention.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the head 120 may also include a soft tissue cleaner coupled to or positioned on its rear surface 122. An example of a suitable soft tissue cleaner that may be used with the present invention and positioned on the rear surface 122 of the head 120 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,462, issued to the assignee of the present application on Dec. 5, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). In certain additional embodiments, the soft tissue cleaner may include a protuberance that may take the form of an elongated ridge, a bump, or a combination thereof. An example of a soft tissue cleaner 124 is depicted in Figure 5A Soft tissue cleaner 124 includes a pad portion and a plurality of bumps protruding from the pad portion. Soft tissue cleaner 124 can be formed entirely of thermoplastic elastomer or other elastomeric materials. Of course, the present invention is not so limited, and in certain embodiments, personal care appliance 100 may not include any soft tissue cleaner, or soft tissue cleaners formed by ridges, bumps, grooves, etc. can be formed directly in the hard plastic of rigid body 101.

[0025] The rigid body 101 may be formed of a rigid plastic material such as, for example and without limitation, polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds, and polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate). Of course, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and in a number of other embodiments, the rigid body 101 may be formed of other materials such as wood, metal, etc. The handle 110 may be formed of an elastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer on a portion or the entirety of the rigid body 101 to enhance the grip of the handle 110 during use. For example, the portion of the rigid body 101 that is typically gripped by the user's fingers and / or palm during use may be overmolded with a thermoplastic elastomer or other elastic material to further increase comfort for the user. Certain details related to this will be described below.

[0026] The handle 110 of the personal care appliance 100 may include a grip portion 111, a neck portion 112, and a thumb grip portion 113. The thumb grip portion 113 may be axially located between the grip portion 111 and the neck portion 112. The grip portion 111 may include the bottom end 103 of the body 101, and may extend to the bottom end of the thumb grip portion 113. The neck portion 112 may extend from the top end of the thumb grip portion 113 to the head 120. The grip portion 111, the neck portion 112, and the thumb grip portion 113 may each form an axial section of the handle 110, wherein the thumb grip portion 113 is axially located between the grip portion 111 and the neck portion 112. There are no technical distinctions between the grip portion 111, the neck portion 112, and the thumb grip portion 113, other than the grip portion 111 being where the user's fingers typically wrap around the handle 110 during use, the thumb grip portion 113 being where the user's thumb rests along the handle 110, and the fact that the neck portion 112 is directly connected to the head 120. Typically, the grip portion 111 has a greater length than each of the thumb grip and neck portions 112, 113, and the thumb grip and neck portions 112, 113 may be similar (plus or minus up to a 10% difference).

[0027] The handle 110 may include a front surface 115 and a rear surface 116 opposite the front surface 115. The handle 110 may include at least one gripping member along its thumb grip portion 113 to enhance the gripability and user comfort of the handle 110 during use of the personal care appliance 110. For example, the handle 110 may include a first gripping member 140 located on or along the front surface 115 of the handle 110. The handle 110 may also include a second gripping member 150 located on or along the rear surface 116 of the handle 110 (at the Figure 1 It is barely visible in the image, but for better description, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ). In an alternative embodiment, one of the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 may be omitted.

[0028] Reference Figure 2 , an exploded view of a personal care appliance 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the thumb grip portion 112 of the handle 110 may include a base member 130 formed by the rigid body 101, a first grip member 140, and a second grip member 150. The base member 130 may be a portion of the rigid body 101 located along the thumb grip portion 112 of the handle 110. The base member 130 may include a front surface 131 and a rear surface 132 opposite to the front surface 131. The front surface 131 of the base member 130 is a portion of the front surface 115 of the handle 110 located along the thumb grip portion 113, and the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 is a portion of the rear surface 116 of the handle 110 located along the thumb grip portion 113. The first grip member 140 may be coupled to the front surface 131 of the base member 130. The second grip member 150 may be coupled to the rear surface 132 of the base member 130. The first and second gripping members 140, 150 can each be formed of an elastomeric material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, rubber, etc. The first and second gripping members 140, 150 can facilitate an enhanced user's grip on the handle 110 during use of the personal-care appliance 100.

[0029] The base member 130 of the handle 100 may include a cavity 133. The base member 130 of the handle 100 may include a first opening 134 on the front surface 131 forming a passage into the cavity 133. The base member 130 of the handle 100 may also include a second opening 135 on the rear surface 132 forming a passage into the cavity 133. The second opening 135 is Figure 2 It is barely visible in Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B Thus, each of the first opening 134 and the second opening 135 and the cavity 133 can collectively form a through hole extending from the front surface 131 of the base member 130 to the rear surface 132 of the base member 130. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the second opening 135 can be omitted so that the cavity 133 can include a bottom facing the first opening 134, rather than the cavity 133 extending through the entire thickness of the base member 130 of the handle 100.

[0030] During manufacture of the personal-care appliance 100, the first grip member 140 and the second grip member 150 can be injection molded onto the base member 130 of the handle 110. That is, the base member 130 can be first formed via injection molding or other process, and then in a second step of the injection molding process, the first grip member 140 and the second grip member 150 can be injection molded onto the preformed base member 130. The first grip member 140 can be coupled to the base member 130 of the handle 100 and positioned to close the first opening 134 in the front surface 131 of the base member 130 of the handle 100. The second grip member 150 can be coupled to the base member 130 of the handle 100 and positioned to close the second opening 135 in the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 of the handle 100. As mentioned herein, in some embodiments, the second opening 135 and the second grip member 150 can be omitted.

[0031] The first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 are independent and distinct from each other and remain spaced apart from each other even when coupled to the base member 130. That is, the elastomeric material forming the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 does not extend through the cavity 133. Instead, the cavity 133 is a hollow, air-filled space between the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150. An axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA will intersect each of the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 and the air within the cavity 133 between the first gripping member and the second gripping member, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 Best shown.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 are thin films or sheets or membranes of elastomeric material. The terms "film", "sheet" and "membrane" are intended to mean that the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 are thin, flexible, bendable sheets of material. In fact, if the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 are removed from the rigid body 101 of the handle 110, the user may be able to easily fold them completely in half. Of course, the precise thickness of the gripping members 140, 150 can determine the ease with which they are folded, but in any case, the "membrane" is slightly thin compared to the complete bulbous body that fills the entire hole or cavity. Therefore, although the first gripping member 140 covers and closes the first opening 134, and the second gripping member 150 covers and closes the second opening 135, the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 do not extend significantly into the cavity 133. In contrast, the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 are generally positioned outside relative to the cavity 133. The first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 are relatively thin, having a thickness of no more than 3 mm or no more than 2 mm. This provides the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 with great flexibility.

[0033] The first gripping member 140 includes an inner surface 141 and an outer surface 142. When the first gripping member 140 is coupled to the front surface 131 of the body member 130, the inner surface 141 of the first gripping member 140 faces the cavity 133. The outer surface 142 of the first gripping member 140 is an external surface exposed to the user. The outer surface 142 of the first gripping member 140 can be flush with the front surface 131 of the base member 130 along the periphery of the first gripping member 140 to enhance user comfort by creating a seamless exterior. The first gripping member 140 may include one or more gripping features 143 on the outer surface 142. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more gripping features 143 include a plurality of bumps or ridges protruding from the outer surface 143 of the first gripping member 140. However, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and the one or more gripping features 143 may include ridges, indentations, recesses, grooves, or various other features that can enhance the user's grip during use of the personal care appliance 100.

[0034] The second gripping member 150 includes an inner surface 151 and an outer surface 152. When the second gripping member 150 is coupled to the rear surface 132 of the main body member 130, the inner surface 151 of the second gripping member 150 faces the cavity 133. Therefore, the inner surfaces 141, 151 of the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 face each other. The outer surface 152 of the second gripping member 150 is an external surface exposed to the user. The outer surface 152 of the second gripping member 150 can be flush with the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 along the periphery of the second gripping member 150 to enhance user comfort by creating a seamless exterior. The second gripping member 150 may include one or more gripping features 153 on the outer surface 152. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more gripping features 153 include a plurality of bumps or protrusions protruding from the outer surface 153 of the second gripping member 150. However, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments, and the one or more gripping features 153 may include ridges, dimples, grooves, channels, or various other features that may enhance the user's grip during use of the personal-care appliance 100. In some embodiments, the gripping features 143, 153 may be omitted, and the texture of the outer surfaces 142, 152 of the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 may be sufficient to enhance grip and comfort.

[0035] Since the first and second gripping members 140, 150 are formed as thin films or membranes of elastomeric material, they may not extend into the cavity 133, which results in a reduction in the material required to form the personal-care appliance 100. This also allows the first and second gripping members 140, 150 to be flexible, as forces applied thereto in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA may cause the first and second gripping members 140, 150 to bend inwardly toward and / or into the cavity 133. In some embodiments, the first and second gripping members 140, 150 may extend to a certain depth into the cavity 133, but they do not completely fill the cavity 133, and their inner surfaces 141, 151 remain spaced apart from each other to allow the first and second gripping members 140, 150 to bend inwardly toward each other during use.

[0036] See also Figure 3In some embodiments, the gripping portion 111 and the thumb gripping portion 113 of the handle 110 of the personal care appliance 100 can be hollow. The handle 110 can include a main structure 160 and a covering member 170 that together form the rigid body 101. The main structure 160 and the covering member 170 can be formed separately from each other and then later connected together via adhesives, welding, etc. The main structure 160 and the covering member 170 can be formed by the same hard plastic material or different hard plastic materials (e.g., any of the above materials). The main structure 160 may include a front surface 161 having a recess 162, the recess 162 extending from the bottom 163 to the front opening 164 positioned along the front surface 161. As shown, the recess 162 can extend along the gripping portion and the thumb gripping portion of the handle 110. The above-mentioned second opening 135 can be formed in the bottom 163 of the recess 162 along the thumb gripping area 113 of the handle 110.

[0037] The covering member 170 can be coupled to the main structure 160 to close the front opening 164 of the recess 162. The covering member 170 can be coupled to the main structure 160 using various techniques (e.g., ultrasonic welding, adhesives, mechanical interlocking, etc.). When the covering member 170 is coupled to the main structure 160, the recess 162 remains hollow along the gripping portion 111 and the thumb gripping portion 113 of the handle 110. This facilitates the reduction of the amount of plastic required to manufacture the personal care appliance 100. In addition, the cavity 133 also exists as a part of the recess 162 positioned along the thumb gripping portion 113 of the handle 110. The cavity 133 extends from the first opening 134 in the covering member 170 to the second opening 135 in the bottom 163 of the recess 162 of the main structure 160. Therefore, the cavity 133 can form a through hole as previously mentioned.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first opening 134 is formed in the cover member 170, and the second opening 135 is formed in the main structure 160. However, when the cover member 170 is coupled to the main structure 160, the personal care appliance 100 appears as if it were a main structure. Figure 1 That is, forming the personal care appliance 100 with the main structure 160 and the covering member 170 promotes material reduction by means of a hollow interior due to the recess 162. However, externally, the personal care appliance 100 has the same appearance whether it is formed as an integral structure or formed by a combination of the main structure 160 and the covering member 170. Of course, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Modifications as described herein may also be incorporated into Figure 3 For example, the second opening 135 and / or the second gripping member 150 are omitted.

[0039] Reference Figure 4A and Figure 4B , additional details regarding the base member 130 of the thumb grip portion 113 of the handle 110 will be described (as described above, the base member 130 can be a portion of the rigid body 101 located along the thumb grip area 113 of the handle 110). Figure 4A and Figure 4B 1, the first gripping member 140 is omitted so that the structural details of the base member 130 can be seen and described. As described above, the first opening 134 in the front surface 131 of the base member 130 of the handle 110 is located along the thumb grip area 113 of the handle 110. As previously described, the first opening 134 provides access to the cavity 133. In addition, the base member 130 includes a first tab 180 that extends across at least a portion of the first opening 134. When the first gripping member 140 is coupled to the base member 130, the first gripping member 140 overlies and covers the first tab 180 (see, e.g., Figure 6 and Figure 7 ).

[0040] The first tab 180 can be a first cantilevered tab, in that the first tab 180 can extend over the cavity 133 in a cantilevered manner. Specifically, the first tab 180 includes a first end 181 and a second end 182. The first opening 134 can be defined or surrounded by an annular edge 138. The term annular edge is not limited to a circular shaped edge, but can include a closed geometric edge having any of a variety of different shapes, including square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. Therefore, the term annular edge refers to any edge surrounding the first opening 134, regardless of the shape of the first opening 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the first opening 134 has an elliptical shape, although the present invention is not so limited, and other shapes can be used in other embodiments, including triangles, circles, squares, rectangles, hexagons, octagons, irregular, etc.

[0041] The first end 181 of the first tab 180 is directly coupled to the annular edge 138 of the first opening 134. The first tab 180 can then extend from the annular edge 138 into the first opening 134 and at least partially across the first opening 134. In an exemplary embodiment, the first tab 180 is cantilevered so that the second end 182 of the first tab 180 is spaced apart from the annular edge 138 by the gap 189. Thus, the first tab 180 can extend across less than the entire first opening 134. By forming the first tab 180 as a cantilever, the first tab 180 is configured to bend inwardly toward the cavity 133 in response to a force applied to the first tab 180 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA of the personal care appliance 100. The first tab 180 can be biased so that when the force is released or stopped, the first tab 180 can return to its original position so that the first tab 180 extends across the first opening 134 but does not enter the cavity 133. Of course, in some embodiments, the first tab 180 may extend partially into the cavity 133 in its biased state, it being understood that it may bend to extend further into the cavity 133 in response to a vertical force applied thereto.

[0042] The first tab 180 includes a first side 183 and a second side 184 extending between a first end 181 and a second end 182. The first side 183 and the second side 184 can be spaced apart relative to the annular edge 138 along their entire length. In other embodiments, a portion of the first side 183 and / or the second side 184 can be directly attached to the annular edge 138 without significantly affecting the ability of the first tab 180 to flex inwardly toward the cavity 133 as described herein.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the first tab 180 is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. The first tab 180 has a general shape and a beam form, and the first tab 180 has a length greater than a width, wherein the length is measured from the first end 181 to the second end 182. Therefore, the first end 181 of the first tab 180 can be coupled to the annular edge 138 at a location that intersects the longitudinal axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end 181 of the first tab 180 is coupled to the annular edge 138 along the lowermost portion 146 of the annular edge 138. The first tab 180 then extends across the first opening 134 to the second end 182, which is located very close to the relatively uppermost portion 147 of the annular edge 138. In other embodiments, the first end 181 of the first tab 180 can be attached to the uppermost portion 147 of the annular rim 138, and the second end 182 of the first tab 180 can be adjacent to but spaced apart from the lowermost portion 146 of the annular rim 138. The first tab 180 can be elongated along the longitudinal axis AA as shown, such that the longitudinal axis AA of the personal-care appliance 100 also forms the longitudinal axis of the first tab 180.

[0044] Although in the exemplary embodiment, the first tab 180 is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the first tab 180 can be elongated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA, such that the first end 181 of the first tab 180 is coupled to the first side of the annular edge 138, and the second end 182 of the first tab 180 is adjacent to but spaced apart from the second side of the annular edge 138. In such embodiments, the first and second sides of the annular edge 138 can be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis AA. In still other embodiments, the first tab 180 can be elongated in a direction extending diagonally across the first opening 134 (i.e., the first tab 180 can be elongated in a direction that is oblique relative to the longitudinal axis AA rather than parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA).

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the first tab 180 extends across a majority of the length of the first opening 134 as measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. That is, the ratio of the length of the first tab 180 to the length of the gap 189 can be 4:1 to 8:1, more specifically 5:1 to 7:1, and more specifically 6:1 to 7:1. The ratio of the length of the first tab 180 (measured from the first end 181 to the second end 182) to the length of the first opening 134 (measured from the lowermost portion 146 to the uppermost portion 147) can be 0.7:1 to 0.95:1, more specifically 0.8:1 to 0.95:1, more specifically 0.8:1 to 0.9:1.

[0046] Based on a standard grip of a toothbrush by a user, in an exemplary embodiment, a first end 181 of the first tab 180 is connected to the lowermost portion 146 of the annular rim 138, and a second end 182 of the first tab 180 is adjacent to but spaced apart from the uppermost portion 147 of the annular rim 138. This can be beneficial because a user may tend to apply the most pressure with their thumb along the upper region of the first grip member 140, thus having the cantilevered first tab 180 as shown allows for maximum flexibility of the first grip member 140 and the first tab 180 during typical use of the personal-care appliance 100. However, other orientations of the first tab 180 as described herein may be used.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of the first opening 134 that is not obstructed by the first tab 180 is U-shaped. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, when the personal-care appliance is held in an upright orientation and the head 120 is raised relative to the handle 110, the first opening 134 is in the shape of an inverted U. Of course, depending on the specific orientation and positioning of the first tab 180 within and along the first opening 134, the orientation of the U-shape may vary. Furthermore, if the shape of the first tab 180 is modified from that depicted, the precise shape of the first opening 134 may vary accordingly.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the first opening 134 can be formed in the cover member 170, and the first tab 180 can be integrally formed with the cover member 170 to extend across at least a portion of the first opening 134. In other embodiments where the cover member 170 can be omitted and the handle 110 is of unitary construction, the first tab 180 can be integrally formed with the structure of the handle 110.

[0049] Now turn to Figure 5A and Figure 5B , details regarding the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 of the thumb grip portion 113 of the handle 110 will be described. Figure 5A and Figure 5B 1, the second gripping member 150 is omitted so that the structural details of the base member 130 can be seen and described. As described above, the second opening 135 is located in the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 of the handle 110 along the thumb grip area 113 of the handle 110. The second opening 135 provides access to the cavity 133. In addition, the base member 130 includes a second tab 190 extending across at least a portion of the second opening 135. When the second gripping member 150 is coupled to the base member 130, the second gripping member 150 overlies and covers the second tab 190 (at Figure 6 and Figure 7 ).

[0050] The second tab 190 may be a second cantilever tab, in that the second tab 190 may extend over the cavity 133 in a cantilevered manner. Specifically, the second tab 190 includes a first end 191 and a second end 192. The second tab 190 may be beam-shaped, in that it has a length measured between the first end 191 and the second end 192 that is greater than its maximum width measured perpendicular to its length. The second opening 135 may be defined or surrounded by an annular edge 139. The term annular edge is not limited to a circular shaped edge, but may include a closed geometric shape edge having any of a variety of different shapes, including square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. Therefore, the term annular edge refers to any edge surrounding the second opening 135, regardless of the shape of the second opening 135. In an exemplary embodiment, the second opening 135 has an elliptical shape, although the present invention is not so limited, and other shapes may be used in other embodiments, including triangles, circles, squares, rectangles, hexagons, octagons, irregular, etc.

[0051] The first end 191 of the second tab 190 is directly coupled to the annular edge 139 of the second opening 135. The second tab 190 can then extend from the annular edge 139 into the second opening 135 and extend at least partially across the second opening 135. In an exemplary embodiment, the second tab 190 is cantilevered so that the second end 192 of the second tab 190 is spaced apart from the annular edge 139 by the gap 199. Therefore, the second tab 190 may not extend across the entire second opening 135. By forming the second tab 190 as a cantilever, the second tab 190 is configured to bend inwardly toward the cavity 133 in response to a force applied to the second tab 190 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA of the personal-care appliance 100. The second tab 190 can be biased so that when the force is released or stopped, the second tab 190 can return to its original position so that the second tab 190 extends across the second opening 135 but does not enter the cavity 133. Of course, the second tab 190 may extend partially into the cavity 133 in its biased state or original position, but has the ability to flex into the cavity 133 when a user force is exerted thereon.

[0052] The second tab 190 includes a first side 193 and a second side 194 extending between the first end 191 and the second end 192. The first side 193 and the second side 194 can be spaced apart relative to the annular edge 139 along their entire length. In other embodiments, a portion of the first side 193 and / or the second side 194 can be directly attached to the annular edge 139 without significantly affecting the ability of the second tab 190 to flex inwardly toward the cavity 133 as described herein.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the second tab 190 is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. Thus, the first end 191 of the second tab 190 is coupled to the annular edge 139 at a location that intersects the longitudinal axis AA. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end 191 of the second tab 190 is coupled to the annular edge 139 along the lowermost portion 148 of the annular edge 139. The second tab 190 then extends across the second opening 135 to a second end 192 that is located very close to the relatively uppermost portion 149 of the annular edge 139. In other embodiments, the first end 191 of the second tab 190 can be attached to the uppermost portion 149 of the annular edge 139, and the second end 192 of the second tab 190 can be adjacent to the lowermost portion 148 of the annular edge 139 but spaced apart from the lowermost portion 148 of the annular edge 139.

[0054] Furthermore, while in the exemplary embodiment, the second tab 190 is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA, the present invention is not so limited in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the second tab 190 may be elongated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA, such that a first end 191 of the second tab 190 is connected to a first side of the annular edge 139, and a second end 192 of the second tab 190 is adjacent to but spaced apart from a second side of the annular edge 139. In such embodiments, the first and second sides of the annular edge 139 may be located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis AA. In still other embodiments, the second tab 190 may be elongated in a direction extending diagonally across the second opening 135 (i.e., the second tab 190 may extend in a direction oblique to the longitudinal axis AA).

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the second tab 190 extends across a majority of the length of the second opening 135 as measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis AA. That is, the ratio of the length of the second tab 190 to the length of the gap 199 can be 4:1 to 8:1, more specifically 5:1 to 7:1, and more specifically 6:1 to 7:1. The ratio of the length of the second tab 190 (measured from the first end 191 to the second end 192) to the length of the second opening 135 (measured from the lowermost portion 148 to the uppermost portion 149) can be 0.7:1 to 0.95:1, more specifically 0.8:1 to 0.95:1, more specifically 0.8:1 to 0.9:1.

[0056] Based on a standard grip of a toothbrush by a user, an exemplary embodiment in which a first end 191 of the second tab 190 is connected to the lowermost portion 148 of the annular rim 139 and a second end 192 of the second tab 190 is adjacent to but spaced apart from the uppermost portion 149 of the annular rim 139 may be preferred. This is because a user may tend to apply the most pressure along the upper region of the second grip member 150, and thus having the cantilevered second tab 190 as shown allows for maximum flexibility of the second grip member 150 and the second tab 190 during use of the personal-care appliance 100. However, other orientations of the second tab 190 as described herein may be used.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of the second opening 135 that is not obstructed by the second tab 190 is U-shaped. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, when the personal-care appliance 100 is held in an upright position and the head 120 is raised relative to the handle 110, the second opening 135 is in the shape of an inverted U. Of course, depending on the specific orientation and positioning of the second tab 190 within and along the second opening 135, the orientation of the U-shape may vary. Furthermore, if the shape of the second tab 190 is modified from that depicted, the precise shape of the second opening 135 may vary accordingly.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, in an embodiment including a main structure 160 and a cover member 170 , a second opening 135 may be formed in the main structure 160 , and a second tab 190 may be integrally formed with the main structure 160 to extend across at least a portion of the second opening 135 .

[0059] Reference Figure 4B and Figure 5BIn an exemplary embodiment, each of the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 has the same shape. That is, the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 have a first portion 185, 195 including a first end 181, 191 and a second portion 186, 196 extending from the first portion 185, 195 to the second end 182, 192. The first side 183, 193 and the second side 184, 194 may be linear along the first portion 185, 195, and may be arcuate along the second portion 185, 196. In other embodiments, the first side 183, 193 and the second side 184, 194 may be linear along the first portion 185, 195 and the second portion, or may be arcuate along the first portion 185, 195 and the second portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the second end 182, 192 is curved or arcuate or rounded, but may be linear, wavy, pointed, etc. in other embodiments. In all embodiments, the precise shapes of the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 as shown in the drawings are not limiting of the present invention.

[0060] The flexibility of the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 can be reduced by attaching portions of the first side 183, 193 and / or the second side 184, 194 to the annular edge 138, 139. In particular, the first side 183, 193 and the second side 184, 194 along the first portion 185, 195 can be directly attached to the annular edge 138, 139 so that only the second portion 186, 196 is suspended. This will reduce the flexibility of the first tab 180 and the second tab 190. Various modifications to the flexibility of the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 can be made according to different embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] Now refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , provides a cross-sectional view of a personal care appliance 100. As discussed above, the grip portion 111 and thumb grip portion 113 of the handle 110 may be hollow. This can be seen by referring to Figure 3 This is accomplished by forming the handle 110 from the main structure 160 and the cover member 170 as described above. In all embodiments, the grip portion 111 and the thumb grip portion 113 need not both be hollow. In some embodiments, the thumb grip portion 113 may include a cavity 133, but the grip portion 111 may be solid and non-hollow. In addition, the cavity 133 may be a through hole as shown, or it may be a recess with a bottom as described herein.

[0062] Figure 6 and Figure 71 and 13. The first gripping member 140 is shown to close the first opening 134 in the front surface 131 of the base member 130 while overlying the first tab 180, and the second gripping member 150 is shown to close the second opening 135 in the rear surface 132 of the base member 130 while overlying the second tab 190. In addition, as shown in these figures, the first portion 187 of the first tab 180 is embedded in the inner surface 141 of the first gripping member 140, while the second portion 188 of the first tab 180 protrudes from the inner surface 141 of the first gripping member 140 in a direction toward the cavity 133. The first portion 187 of the first tab 180 is an upper portion of the thickness of the first tab 180, and the second portion 188 of the first tab 180 is a lower portion of the thickness of the first tab 180. Thus, the first tab 180 can include a front surface 155 facing the same direction as the front surface 115 of the handle and a rear surface 156 facing the cavity 133. The first tab 180 has a thickness measured between the front surface 155 and the rear surface 156. The first portion 187 of the first tab 180 is a portion of the first tab 180 located between the front surface 155 and the rear surface 156, wherein the first portion 178 of the first tab 180 includes the front surface 155. The second portion 188 of the first tab 180 is a portion of the first tab 180 located between the front surface 155 and the rear surface 156, wherein the second portion 188 includes the rear surface 156. The front surface 155 can be embedded in the first gripping member 140, and the rear surface 156 can be spaced apart from the inner surface 141 of the first gripping member 140 so that the rear surface 156 is not embedded in the first gripping member 140. In other embodiments, the first tab 180 can be completely embedded in the first gripping member 140.

[0063] Similarly, a first portion 197 of the second tab 190 is embedded within the inner surface 151 of the second gripping member 150, while a second portion 198 of the second tab 190 protrudes from the inner surface 151 of the second gripping member 150 in a direction toward the cavity 133. The first portion 197 of the second tab 190 is an upper portion of the thickness of the second tab 190, and the second portion 198 of the second tab 190 is a lower portion of the thickness of the second tab 190. Thus, the second tab 190 may include a front surface 157 facing the same direction as the rear surface 116 of the handle and a rear surface 158 facing the cavity 133. The second tab 190 has a thickness measured between the front surface 157 and the rear surface 158. The first portion 197 of the second tab 190 includes the front surface 157, and the second portion 198 of the second tab 190 includes the rear surface 158. The front surface 157 can be embedded in the second grip member 150, and the rear surface 158 can be spaced apart from the inner surface 151 of the second grip member 150 such that the rear surface 158 is not embedded in the second grip member 150. In other embodiments, the second tab 190 can be completely embedded in the second grip member 150.

[0064] As described herein, the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 are suspended across the cavity 133. In addition, the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 are membranes formed of an elastomeric material. In addition, the cavity 133 includes an empty air-filled space. Therefore, the first gripping member 140 and the second gripping member 150 and the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 can be configured to bend inwardly into the cavity 133 in response to a user force applied thereto. That is, a user applying a force in the direction of arrow Z to the first gripping member 140 can cause the first gripping member 140 and the first tab 180 to bend inwardly toward the cavity 133 and / or bend inwardly into the cavity 133. A user applying a force in the direction of arrow Y to the second gripping member 150 can cause the second gripping member 150 and the second tab 190 to bend inwardly toward the cavity 133 and / or bend inwardly into the cavity 133. Cessation of the forces Z, Y may cause the first gripping member 140 and first tab 180 and the second gripping member 150 and second tab 190 to return to their natural state / position.

[0065] According to an exemplary embodiment and as Figure 6As best seen in , the first tab 180 can have a first thickness measured between the front surface 155 and the rear surface 156, and the second tab 190 can have a second thickness measured between the front surface 157 and the rear surface 158. The second thickness can be greater than the first thickness. Therefore, the second gripping member 150 and the second tab 190 can have less flexibility than the first gripping member 140 and the first tab 180. Typically, when a user holds the toothbrush, the user's index finger engages the second gripping member 150, and the user's thumb engages the first gripping member 140. Therefore, the area engaged by the thumb can have greater flexibility than the area engaged by the index finger. Of course, in other embodiments, the first thickness and the second thickness can be the same, and in yet other embodiments, the first thickness can be greater than the second thickness.

[0066] In the assembled product, the first tab 180 and the second tab 190 are hidden from view by being covered above by the first grip member 140 and the second grip member 150, respectively. Thus, the personal care appliance 100 can have a common and therefore comfortable exterior cosmetic appearance. The increased flexibility and reduced material cost along the thumb grip area results in an improved device while maintaining normal familiarity for the user.

[0067] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing individual values ​​and each value within a range. Any value within a range can be selected as the endpoint of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that a definition in the present disclosure conflicts with a definition of the cited reference, the present disclosure shall prevail.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific examples (including currently preferred modes for carrying out the present invention), those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many variations and permutations of the above-described systems and techniques. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be broadly interpreted as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A personal care appliance, comprising: A handle, the handle comprising a grip portion, a neck portion, and a thumb grip portion located between the grip portion and the neck portion, the thumb grip portion comprising: a base member comprising a cavity, a front surface having a first opening forming a passage into the cavity, and a first cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the first opening; and A first gripping member is coupled to the base member, the first gripping member closing the first opening in the front surface of the base member and overlying the first cantilevered tab.

2. The personal-care appliance of claim 1, wherein the base member is formed of a rigid material and the first grip member is formed of an elastomeric material.

3. The personal-care appliance of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the handle comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the first cantilevered tab is elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

4. A personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first opening in the front surface of the base member is defined by an annular edge, wherein the first cantilevered tab includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the first cantilevered tab is connected to the annular edge, and the second end of the first cantilevered tab is separated from the annular edge by a gap.

5. A personal care appliance according to claim 4, wherein the first cantilevered tab includes a first side and a second side extending between the first end and the second end, and at least a portion of each of the first side and the second side is spaced relative to the annular edge to allow the first cantilevered tab to flex inwardly into the cavity in response to a force applied to the first cantilevered tab in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

6. The personal care appliance of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first cantilevered tab is spaced from the annular rim by a U-shaped gap.

7. The personal-care appliance of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first gripping member is a membrane formed of an elastomeric material that closes the first opening in the front surface of the base member without extending into the cavity.

8. A personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first gripping member includes an inner surface facing the cavity, wherein a first portion of the first cantilevered tab is embedded in the inner surface of the first gripping member, and a second portion of the first cantilevered tab protrudes from the inner surface of the first gripping member.

9. The personal-care appliance of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first gripping member comprises an inner surface facing the cavity and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and further comprising one or more gripping features on the outer surface of the first gripping member.

10. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the handle comprises a main structure with a recess having a front opening and a covering member connected to the main structure to close the front opening, the thumb grip portion and the grip portion of the handle are formed jointly by the main structure and the covering member, and wherein the covering member comprises the first opening and the first cantilevered tab.

11. The personal care appliance of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the base member further comprises: a rear surface opposite the front surface, the rear surface including a second opening forming a second passage into the cavity; and a second cantilevered tab extending across a portion of the second opening.

12. The personal care appliance of claim 11, further comprising a second gripping member coupled to the base member and closing the second opening in the rear surface of the base member, the base member being formed of a rigid material and the second gripping member being formed of an elastomeric material.

13. A personal care appliance according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the cavity, the first opening in the front surface of the base member and the second opening in the rear surface of the base member form a through hole extending from the front surface of the base member to the rear surface of the base member.

14. The personal-care appliance of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a head coupled to the handle and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements coupled to and extending from the head.

15. A personal care appliance comprising: a handle comprising a longitudinal axis, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, a cavity having a first opening in the front surface, and a first tab extending across at least a portion of the first opening; a first elastomeric film coupled to the handle, the first elastomeric film closing the first opening and overlying the first tab; as well as Wherein the first tab is configured to bend into the cavity when a first force is applied to the first elastomeric film in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

16. The personal-care appliance of claim 15, wherein the cavity is a hollow, air-filled space, and wherein in the absence of the first force being applied to the first elastomeric film, the first elastomeric film is not located within the cavity.

17. A personal care appliance according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the first tab extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and wherein a first portion of the first tab is embedded in the first elastomeric film, and a second portion of the first tab protrudes from an inner surface of the first elastomeric film facing the cavity.

18. A personal care appliance according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the handle includes an annular edge defining the first opening, wherein the first tab extends from a first end to a second end, the first end is connected to the annular edge, and the second end is spaced apart from the annular edge so that the first tab is suspended above the cavity.

19. The personal care appliance according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising: the cavity having a second opening in the rear surface of the handle; the handle including a second tab extending in a cantilevered manner across a portion of the second opening; a second elastomeric film closing the second opening and covering the second tab; and The second tab is configured to bend into the cavity when a second force is applied to the second elastomeric film in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.

20. The personal-care appliance of claim 19, wherein the first and second elastomeric films are spaced apart from one another and are configured to flex inwardly toward one another in response to the first and second forces applied to the first and second elastomeric films, respectively.

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