Connector for a manual oral care implement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019246779-A1
Application number	US-201916272392-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 11, 2019
Priority date	Feb 9, 2018
Publication date	Aug 15, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A connector for repeatedly attaching and detaching a head to and from a handle of a manual oral care implement comprises a first substantially cylindrical section, a second substantially cylindrical section, and an at least partially conically shaped section connecting the first and second cylindrical sections. The first and second substantially cylindrical sections and the at least partially conically section define a longitudinal length extension of the connector, wherein the first substantially cylindrical section and the second substantially cylindrical section are placed off-center with respect to the longitudinal length extension.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A connector ( 14 ) for repeatedly attaching and detaching a head ( 16 ) to and from a handle ( 12 ) of a manual oral care implement ( 10 ), the connector ( 14 ) comprising a first substantially cylindrical section ( 18 ), a second substantially cylindrical section ( 20 ), and an at least partially conically shaped section ( 22 ) connecting the first and the second cylindrical sections ( 18 , 20 ), the first and the second substantially cylindrical sections ( 18 , 20 ) and the at least partially conically section ( 22 ) defining a longitudinal length extension ( 24 ) of the connector ( 14 ), wherein the first substantially cylindrical section ( 18 ) and the second substantially cylindrical section ( 20 ) are placed off-center with respect to the longitudinal length extension ( 24 ).

2 . The connector ( 14 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first substantially cylindrical section ( 18 ) and the second substantially cylindrical section ( 20 ) each have a length extension ( 26 , 28 ) and a cross-sectional area ( 30 , 32 ) extending substantially perpendicular to the length extension ( 26 , 28 ), and the cross-sectional area ( 30 ) of the first substantially cylindrical section ( 18 ) and/or the cross-sectional area ( 32 ) of the second substantially cylindrical section ( 20 ) is substantially circular.

3 . The connector ( 14 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or the second substantially cylindrical section ( 18 , 20 ) comprises a flattening portion ( 38 ) extending along the length extension 26 , 28 ) of the first and/or second substantially cylindrical section ( 18 , 20 ).

4 . The connector ( 14 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first and/or the second substantially cylindrical section ( 18 , 20 ), including the flattening portion ( 38 ), comprises a spring-loaded ball element ( 42 ), the spring-loaded ball element ( 42 ) comprising a ball ( 44 ) and a spring ( 46 ), the spring ( 46 ) applying a radial force onto the ball ( 44 ) in a direction towards the outer lateral surface ( 80 ) of the connector ( 14 ).

5 . The connector ( 14 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first substantially cylindrical section ( 18 ) has a cross-sectional area ( 30 ) that is greater than the cross-sectional area ( 32 ) of the second substantially cylindrical section ( 20 ).

6 . The connector ( 14 ) of claim 5 , wherein the first and the second substantially cylindrical sections ( 18 , 20 ) have a first and a second outer surface ( 50 , 52 ), respectively, and the first and the second substantially cylindrical sections ( 18 , 20 ) are arranged with respect to each other so that a part of the first outer surface ( 50 ) and a part the second outer surface ( 52 ) are substantially in straight alignment.

7 . The connector ( 14 ) of claim 6 , wherein the flattening portion ( 38 ) is arranged opposite to the first and second outer surfaces ( 50 , 52 ) being substantially in straight alignment.

8 . A handle ( 12 ) for a manual oral care implement ( 10 ), the handle ( 12 ) comprising a connector ( 14 ) of claim 1 .

9 . The handle ( 12 ) of claim 8 , wherein the handle ( 12 ) has a distal end ( 54 ) and a proximal end ( 56 ), the proximal end ( 56 ) being closest to a head ( 16 ) attachable to the handle ( 12 ), the proximal end ( 56 ) of the handle ( 12 ) comprising a hollow portion ( 58 ) into which a portion of the first substantially cylindrical section ( 18 ) is fixed.

10 . The handle ( 12 ) of claim 8 , wherein the proximal end ( 56 ) of the handle ( 12 ) comprises a chamfered surface ( 60 ).

11 . The handle ( 12 ) of claim 10 , wherein the handle ( 12 ) has a longitudinal length extension ( 64 ) and a cross-sectional area ( 62 ) extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length extension ( 64 ), and the chamfered surface ( 60 ) and the cross-sectional area ( 62 ) define an angle α from about 15° to about 30°.

12 . A manual oral care implement ( 10 ) comprising a head ( 16 ), preferably a brush head ( 16 ), a handle ( 12 ) with a connector ( 14 ) of claim 8 , the head ( 16 ) being structured and configured to be repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle ( 12 ) via the connector ( 14 ).

13 . The manual oral care implement ( 10 ) of claim 12 , wherein the head ( 16 ) comprises a hollow portion ( 66 ) for receiving the second substantially cylindrical section ( 20 ), the at least partially conically shaped section ( 22 ) and a part of the first substantially cylindrical section ( 18 ).

14 . The manual oral care implement ( 10 ) of claim 12 , wherein the head ( 16 ) comprises a hollow portion ( 66 ) having an inner wall ( 68 ), and the inner wall ( 68 ) comprising a recess ( 70 ) for receiving the ball ( 44 ) of the spring-loaded ball element ( 42 ).

15 . The manual oral care implement ( 10 ) of claim 12 , wherein the head ( 16 ) comprises a hollow portion ( 66 ) having an inner wall ( 68 ), and the inner wall ( 68 ) comprises at least one rip ( 72 ), preferably two rips ( 72 ) being arranged opposite each other, for adjusting the head ( 16 ) on the connector ( 14 ).

16 . The handle ( 12 ) of claim 11 , wherein the angle α is from about 18° to about 28°.

17 . The handle ( 12 ) of claim 16 , wherein the angle α is about 25°.

18 . The manual oral care implement ( 10 ) of claim 15 , wherein the at least one rip ( 72 ) comprises two rips ( 72 ) arranged opposite to one another.

Assignees

• Gillette Co Llc

Inventors

• Jungnickel Uwe
• Alinski Jens

Classifications

• A46B5/0095 Primary

  Removable or interchangeable brush heads · CPC title

• A46B2200/1066

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

• A46B7/042

  Clip or snap connection for bristle carriers · CPC title

• A61C17/222

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