Toothbrush
US7707677B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA46B2200/1066
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A toothbrush includes a head having a bristle carrying surface formed from a thin resilient flexible dome shaped membrane. An air space is located between the base of the head and the membrane so that the membrane is capable of flexing to alter its original shape during use of the toothbrush and then recover to the original shape randomly during use. In a further practice of the invention the head and/or handle have elastomeric portions at least partially surrounding an open area. These portions are readily deflectable under pressure during use to improve handling of the toothbrush and orientation of the cleaning elements. Alternatively the toothbrush includes a longitudinal hinge collinear with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush head so as to separate the head into a pair of side by side longitudinal sections, each of which has outwardly extending cleaning elements. The hinge is made of a resilient spring-like material to urge the sections to return to their original position after the hinge has been opened as a result of the cleaning elements contacting the teeth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.