Oral care implement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016353871-A1
Application number	US-201315039114-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 25, 2013
Priority date	Nov 25, 2013
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An oral implement comprises a head ( 10 ) and a handle ( 12 ). The head ( 10 ) comprises a first face ( 14 ) and a plurality of cleaning elements ( 34, 36 ) extending therefrom, a proximal section ( 16 ) adjacent to the handle ( 12 ) and a distal section ( 18 ) remote from the handle ( 12 ). The head ( 10 ) further comprises a flexible bridge ( 20 ) coupling the distal section ( 18 ) to the proximal section ( 16 ), so that the distal section ( 18 ) is flexibly moveable relative to the proximal section ( 16 ). The flexible bridge ( 20 ) further comprises at least one elastomeric cleaning element extending from the first face ( 14 ); wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element extends along the flexible bridge ( 20 ) in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head ( 10 ).

First claim

1 . An oral care implement comprising a head and a handle, the head comprising a first face and a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the first face;
wherein the head comprises a proximal section adjacent to the handle and a distal section remote from the handle; wherein the head further comprises a flexible bridge coupling the distal section to the proximal section so that the distal section is flexibly moveable relative to the proximal section, the flexible bridge further comprising at least one elastomeric cleaning element extending from the first face, wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element extends along the flexible bridge in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head.

2 . (canceled)

3 . (canceled)

4 . The oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the proximal section and the distal section each have a straight linear edge extending in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head, wherein the straight linear edge of the distal section faces the straight linear edge of the proximal section, and wherein the flexible bridge couples the straight linear edge of the distal section to the straight linear edge of the proximal section so that the distal section is flexibly moveable relative to the proximal section.

5 . The oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the flexible bridge comprises an elastomeric material.

6 . (canceled)

7 . The oral care implement of claim 5 , wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element is integral with the elastomeric material of the flexible bridge.

8 . (canceled)

9 . (canceled)

10 . The oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the flexible bridge comprises a bridging section formed from a rigid plastic or resin material, the bridging section joining the proximal section to the distal section, wherein a ratio of a depth of the bridging section at its narrowest point to a depth of the proximal section is from 1:3 to 1:7.

11 . The oral care implement of claim 10 , wherein the bridging section extends across an entire width of the head.

12 . The oral care implement of claim 10 , wherein the head further comprises a second face on an opposite side of the head to the first face, and wherein the bridging section is located between the first face and the second face, wherein a distance between the bridging section and the first face is greater than a distance between the bridging section and the second face.

13 .- 16 . (canceled)

17 . The oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the flexible bridge comprises an elastomeric material, and wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element is integral with the elastomeric material of the flexible bridge.

18 . The oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element is an elastomeric wall extending along the flexible bridge in a straight, linear configuration.

19 . (canceled)

20 . The oral care implement of claim 18 , wherein the elastomeric wall has a distal edge remote from the first face, the elastomeric wall comprising at least one notch extending from the distal edge of the elastomeric wall towards the first face of the head, wherein the elastomeric wall has a height measured from the first face to the distal edge of the elastomeric wall, the least one notch extending from the distal edge towards the first face by a distance of from ⅝ to ⅞ of the height of the elastomeric wall.

21 .- 33 . (canceled)

34 . The oral care implement of claim 1 , wherein the distal section has a length which is less than a length of the proximal section.

35 .- 40 . (canceled)

41 . An oral care implement comprising a head and a handle, the head comprising a first face and a plurality of cleaning elements extending from the first face;
wherein the head comprises a proximal section adjacent to the handle and a distal section remote from the handle; wherein the head further comprises a flexible bridge coupling the distal section to the proximal section so that the distal section is flexibly moveable relative to the proximal section; wherein the plurality of cleaning elements comprises a first plurality of cleaning elements extending from the proximal section, and a second plurality of cleaning elements extending from the distal section, at least one of the first and second pluralities of cleaning elements comprising tapered bristles.

42 . The oral care implement of claim 41 , wherein the first plurality of cleaning elements comprises tapered bristles.

43 . The oral care implement of claim 41 , wherein the second plurality of cleaning elements comprises tapered bristles.

44 . The oral care implement of claim 41 , wherein the tapered bristles are tufted in square tuft holes.

45 . The oral care implement of claim 41 , wherein a height of the first plurality of cleaning elements is equal to a height of the second plurality of cleaning elements.

46 . (canceled)

47 . (canceled)

48 . The oral care implement of claim 41 , wherein the flexible bridge further comprises at least one elastomeric cleaning element extending from the first face, wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element extends along the flexible bridge in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head, wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element is an elastomeric wall that extends along the flexible bridge in a straight, linear configuration.

49 .- 52 . (canceled)

53 . The oral care implement of claim 48 , wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element has a height which is equal to a height of the first and second pluralities of cleaning elements.

54 . The oral care implement of claim 48 , wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element has a height which is less than a height of the first and second pluralities of cleaning elements.

55 . (canceled)

56 . (canceled)

57 . The oral care implement of claim 41 , wherein the flexible bridge comprises an elastomeric material, wherein the flexible bridge further comprises at least one elastomeric cleaning element extending from the first face, wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element extends along the flexible bridge in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head, and wherein the at least one elastomeric cleaning element is integral with the elastomeric material of the flexible bridge.

58 .- 67 . (canceled)

68 . The oral care implement of claim 41 , wherein the head further comprises a second face located on an opposite side of the head to the first face, the second face comprising a tissue cleanser, wherein the tissue cleanser comprises an elastomeric material, and wherein the flexible bridge comprises the elastomeric material and wherein the tissue cleanser is integral with the flexible bridge.

69 .- 79 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Colgate Palmolive Co

Inventors

• Xi Wen Jin
• Guo Guang Sheng
• Zhang Bo

Classifications

• A46B5/0037

  Flexible resilience by plastic deformation of the material · CPC title

• A46B2200/1066

  Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04) · CPC title

• A46B9/04 Primary

  {Arranged like in or} for toothbrushes · CPC title

• A46B7/06

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