Power toothbrush brushhead with fluid-directing member
US8171591B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA46B2200/1066
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The brushhead includes a brushhead member which includes a bristle field, the brushhead member being adapted for cleaning teeth as part of a power toothbrush, wherein the brushhead in operation moves in a reciprocating action. In one embodiment the brushhead includes a rim member which extends around at least a substantial portion of the brushhead, the rim member extending around the entire bristle field and having an upper edge which is lower than the top of the bristles. The rim member has a different flexibility than the bristles so that the movement of the rim member and the bristles is out of phase during operation of the toothbrush, which results in fluid from the bristles being directed toward the teeth during operation of the toothbrush.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.