Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region

US6442786B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Hans Halm · Herne, DE
• Hans Kramer · Ede, NL

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 25, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 3, 2002
• Expiry date: Feb 23, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/425
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A toothbrush comprising a handle with a head includes a base end facing the handle in a tip end remote from the base end. The head adjoins the handle at the base end of the head, and the head and the handle are disposed along the longitudinal toothbrush axis. The head also includes a substantially rigid base region joining the toothbrush handle and extending from the base end of the head to a link region situated between the base end and the tip end. The head further includes a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to the link region, such that the tip region is flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region and the base region extends for at least 60% of the distance between the base end of the head and the tip of the head.