Electric toothbrush

US6932216B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Procter & Gamble Company · US

Inventors

• Lawrence A. Blaustein · Moreland Hills, US
• John R. Nottingham · Bratenahl, US
• John Osher · Moreland Hills, US
• John W. Spirk · Moreland Hills, US
• Douglas A. Gall · Strongsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 21, 2001
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2005
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29L2031/425
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electric toothbrush comprises a body portion and a head including a motor, a moving portion, a handle, and a gear arrangement between the moving portion and the motor. The moving portion rotates, oscillates and/or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips. The body portion houses the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary or continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the gear arrangement includes a shaft, a worm gear and a pair of step gears. In another embodiment the gear arrangement includes a plurality of gears and at least one swivel arm for drive the moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.