Brush head assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10376349-B2
Application number	US-201615573319-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 11, 2016
Priority date	May 14, 2015
Publication date	Aug 13, 2019
Grant date	Aug 13, 2019

Abstract

A brush head assembly ( 100 ) comprising a sandwich assembly ( 200 ) comprising a flexible matrix ( 30 ″) positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material ( 220 ), a plurality of bristle tufts ( 21 ), each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end ( 23 ) and a free end ( 25 ), a bristle tuft retention element ( 250 ) for each bristle tuft ( 21 ), the bristle tuft retention elements ( 250 ) connecting the proximal end of the bristle tufts ( 21 ) to the sandwich assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A brush head assembly comprising:
a sandwich assembly comprising a flexible matrix positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material,
a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end,
a bristle tuft retention element for each bristle tuft, the bristle tuft retention elements connecting the proximal end of the bristle tufts to the sandwich assembly.

2. The brush head assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sandwich assembly is such that the two layers of stiff or stiffer material are capable of moving with respect to each other in order to transmit an oscillating motion of a first retention element to a second retention element.

3. The brush head assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sandwich assembly is such that the two layers of stiff or stiffer material are capable of moving with respect to each other in response to an applied force in order to change a vertical position of a first bristle tuft with respect to a second bristle tuft.

4. The brush head assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a backing material that at least partially encompasses one side of the sandwich assembly.

5. The brush head assembly of claim 4 , wherein the backing material is provided to modulate a force exerted by the bristle strands in a vertical direction.

6. The brush head assembly of claim 4 further comprising a hard platen that is connected to the backing material.

7. The brush head assembly of claim 6 wherein the hard platen is at least partially encompassed by the backing material.

8. The brush head assembly of claim 4 , wherein the backing material is a chamber filled with a gas or liquid.

9. The brush head assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible matrix is composed of an elastomer or a polymer.

10. The brush head assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible matrix is a chamber filled with a gas or liquid.

11. The brush head assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flexible matrix is composed of a high density material.

12. The brush head assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bristle tuft retention elements is configured to receive an oscillating motion from a drive shaft of a personal care appliance.

13. A personal care appliance comprising:
a handle including a drive train and a drive shaft;
a motor controller for controlling operation of the drive train to produce a mechanical stimulus; and
a brush head assembly as claimed in claim 1 .

14. A method of manufacturing a brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprising a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end;
providing a bristle tuft retention element for each bristle tuft;
providing a sandwich assembly comprising a flexible matrix positioned between two layers of stiff or stiffer material; and
connecting the bristle tuft retention elements to the sandwich assembly.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Deane Steven Charles
• Franklin Steven Ernest

Classifications

• A46B7/06

  movably during use {, i.e. the normal brushing action causing movement (driven brush bodies A46B13/00)} · CPC title

• A46B3/20 Primary

  the bristles being fixed or joined in rubber bodies, e.g. in soft rubber · CPC title

• A46B9/10

  Adjustable supports · CPC title

• A61C17/3409

  characterized by the movement of the brush body · CPC title

• A61C17/222 Primary

  Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle · CPC title