Plaque removing toothbrush

US5046213A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Colgate-Palmolive Company · US

Inventors

• John P. Curtis · Bloomsbury, US
• Kedar N. Rustogi · Kendall Park, US
• John C. Crawford · Carmel, US
• James H. Kemp · Somerville, US
• Thomas Mintel · Rahway, US
• Bert D. Heinzelman · North Bergen, US
• Donald R. Lamond · Lynbrook, US
• Laura H. Edelman · New York, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 29, 1990
• Grant date: Sep 10, 1991
• Expiry date: Mar 29, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A46B2200/1066
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A toothbrush comprising a head having a flat surface facing upwardly, the head joined to a handle. The tufts of bristles are arranged in two groups of rows, each row extending transversely of the head. The rows of the first and second groups alternate with each other along the longitudinal axis of the head. In the first group, the two laterally outermost tufts of each row tilt sidewise towards their respective nearest side of the head, this tilt being about 12 degrees. The middle tuft of each of the second group extends substantially vertically upwardly from the head. The laterally outermost tufts of the second group tilt laterally inwardly toward each other by about 8 degrees. The tufts define three functional groups of tufts. The tuft arrangement is such that the cleaning action is substantially independent of any particular brushing technique employed by the user.