US20220313408A1

Movatterモバイル変換

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Publication number: US20220313408A1
Application number: US17/807,351
Authority: US
Inventors: Supinda Watcharotone; Toru Saito; Jonathan Gum
Original assignee: Sunstar Americas Inc
Current assignee: Sunstar Americas Inc
Priority date: 2017-10-27
Filing date: 2022-06-16
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: EP3476248A1; ES2982279T3; CN109717975A; US20190125507A1; CA3021410C; US11376106B2; EP3476248B1; BR202018072191U2; CN109717975B; CA3021410A1

Abstract

A powered toothbrush and toothbrush head comprise a transmission housing; a substantially disk-shaped bristle carrier; a plurality of first bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a first virtual circle; and a plurality of second bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a second virtual circle, the second virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the first virtual circle, wherein each of the plurality of first bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a first type, having a tapered form.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,124, filed Oct. 26, 2018, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/578,054, filed Oct. 27, 2017, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to a bristle head for a powered toothbrush. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a bristle head for a powered toothbrush having both tapered and end-rounded bristles.

2. Description of Related Art

Toothbrushes, including powered toothbrushes, generally include a plurality of bristles to remove dental plaque and clean teeth, including the gaps between neighboring teeth and the gaps between the teeth and gums. During toothbrush manufacture, the bristles are grouped into bristle tufts, bent, and implanted in tuft holes of a head of the toothbrush by an anchor, such as a staple, which is located between the two ends of a bristle. Thus, both ends of each bristle extend away from the surface of the toothbrush head so as to clean teeth during use.

Existing toothbrushes often have difficulty penetrating the gaps between neighboring teeth (interproximal access) and the gaps between the teeth and gums (subgingival access), due at least in part to their bristle arrangement. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved toothbrush bristle head and bristle arrangement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a powered toothbrush bristle head with increased interproximal access and subgingival access.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a toothbrush head comprises: a transmission housing; a substantially disk-shaped bristle carrier; a plurality of first bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a first virtual circle; and a plurality of second bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a second virtual circle, the second virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the first virtual circle, wherein each of the plurality of first bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a first type, having a tapered form.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a powered toothbrush comprises: a transmission housing, a substantially disk-shaped bristle carrier, a plurality of first bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a first virtual circle, and a plurality of second bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a second virtual circle, the second virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the first virtual circle; and a power handle, wherein each of the plurality of first bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a first type, having a tapered form.

The foregoing summary is intended solely to give a general idea of various aspects of the present disclosure, and does not limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed and specific features of various embodiments of the present disclosure are more fully disclosed in the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates several views (a)-(e) of a bristle head according to various aspects of the present disclosure where: view (a) is a front elevation view of bristle head, view (b) is a left side elevation view of bristle head, view (c) is a right side elevation view of bristle head, view (d) is a top plan view ofbristle head1, and view (e) is a bottom plan view of bristle head;

FIG. 2 illustrates several views (a)-(b) of a toothbrush according to various aspects of the present disclosure where: view (a) is a top plan view of the toothbrush, and view (b) is a front elevation view of the toothbrush; and

FIGS. 3A-B respectively illustrate bristle arrangements for the exemplary bristle head ofFIG. 1 in a top plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 1 at view (c),transmission housing10 includes aninternal cavity17 defined by aninterior wall18 oftransmission housing10.Cavity17 is dimensioned to connect to the power handle. Thetransmission housing10 is configured to translate motion caused by the power handle to rotatingdisk20. Proximate to handleend11,interior wall18 oftransmission housing10 includes a pair of opposing flangedsurfaces16. Flangedsurfaces16 are dimensioned to provide a friction fit with the power handle, and may have a roughened texture to increase the strength of the friction fit. Distal to handleend11,interior wall18 oftransmission housing10 defines acylindrical bore15 running longitudinally therethrough and betweenflanged surfaces16.Cylindrical bore15 is dimensioned to receive a transmission shaft of the power handle so as to allow the transmission shaft to rotationally oscillate freely therein.Cylindrical bore15 also houses a rod (not shown) to translate a rotation of the transmission shaft into a rotation of rotatingdisk20. This may be accomplished for example, by a bend in the rod cooperating with rotatingdisk20, by a right angle gear, and the like.

Transmission housing

10 may be formed of a unitary construction, such as by molding. Alternatively, flangedsurfaces16 and/orcylindrical bore15 may be in a modular insert which is provided incavity17. As illustrated inFIG. 1 at views (d) and (e),transmission housing10 includes one ormore openings19 to prevent dust or other particulate matter from accumulating incavity17 by creating a path by which such debris can exit the cavity.

Rotatingdisk20 is rotatably mounted ontransmission housing10, and is configured to oscillate about axis A2 in synchronization with an oscillation of the transmission shaft of the power handle.Rotating disk20 is substantially cylindrical (that is, “disk-shaped”), and includes a substantially flat upper surface21 (seeFIG. 2) configured to receivebristle tufts30.

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled powered toothbrush includingbristle head1 andpower handle2. As illustrated,power handle2 includes: apower button41; anindicator section42 which may include LEDs, an LCD, and the like; and acharging port43.Charging port43 may be dimensioned to receive an adapter or a portion of an induction charging stand so as to receive power and charge an internal battery. Alternatively,charging port43 may not be present and thepower handle2 may instead include a removable battery.

FIGS. 3A-B respectively provide more detailed illustrations of rotatingdisk20. As illustrated inFIG. 3A,bristle tufts30 are categorized according to three types: A, B, and C. A particular “type” denotes a set of physical parameters or characteristics, including: a form and material of the bristle, a thickness of the bristle, and a height to which the bristle extends relative to theupper surface21. Eachbristle tuft30 includes a plurality of bristles of a single category. Each bristle is attached to the rotatingdisk20 at an intermediate point between the ends of the bristle. Thus, each end of the bristle extends fromupper surface21. The intermediate point may be located approximately at the midpoint of the bristle, in which case both ends of the bristle extend the same distance from the upper surface21 (a “U-hook” configuration), or may be located closer to an end of the bristle, in which case one end of the bristle extends from theupper surface21 by to a greater height than the other end of the bristle (a “J-hook” configuration).

As illustrated inFIGS. 3A-B, bristletufts30 are arranged along three concentric virtual circles, having respective diameters d₁, d₂, and d₃, so that one of the virtual circles passes through a center of each bristletuft30.Rotating disk20 has a diameter d_r, and each bristletuft30 has a diameter d_t. Along each virtual circle, bristletufts30 are disposed at regular angular intervals. As particularly illustrated, four bristletufts30 exist along the inner virtual circle such that their centers are disposed at approximate intervals θ₁of 90°; ten bristletufts30 exist along the intermediate virtual circle such that their centers are disposed at approximate intervals θ₂of 36°; and sixteen bristletufts30 exist along the outer virtual circle such that their centers are disposed at approximate intervals θ₃of 22.5°. Generally, rotatingdisk20 is configured to oscillate to a maximum rotational displacement of 36° in either direction; however, bristletufts30 according to the present disclosure may be used with any type ofrotating disk20, including one which oscillates to a maximum rotational displacement of greater than or less than 36°, or one which rotates continuously in the same direction.

Each bristle of type A, B, and C extends a respective height h_a, h_b, and h_cfromupper surface21, and includes bristles of a particular form and material. The “form” of a bristle refers to the cross-sectional shape of the bristle along a longitudinal axis thereof. Here, each bristle has either a tapered form or an end-rounded form.

A bristle has a “tapered” form when the diameter of the bristle distal to theupper surface21 is smaller than the diameter of the bristle proximate to theupper surface21. In this manner, the bristle appears pointed or tapered in cross-section. A bristle may be formed into a tapered shape by subjecting an unshaped bristle to, for example, a chemical process.

A bristle has an “end-rounded” form when the diameter of the bristle remains substantially constant across most of its length, but where the end distal to theupper surface21 has rounded corners when viewed in cross-section. A bristle may be end-rounded to such a degree that the tip has a hemispherical shape. A bristle may be formed into an end-rounded shape by subjecting an unshaped bristle to, for example, a mechanical process such as polishing.

Where a bristle has a tapered form, it may be formed of any material capable of being mechanically or chemically tapered. In one example, it is formed of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). Where a bristle has an end-rounded form, it may be formed of any material capable of being subject to an end-rounding process. In one example, it is formed of nylon; e.g., nylon 612.

Examples

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, illustrated inFIG. 3A, types A, B, and C ofbristle tufts30 are different from each other. In this aspect, the type A bristle tufts have bristles with a tapered form and the types B and C bristle tufts may have bristles with either a tapered form or an end-rounded form. In this configuration, the bristles in the type A bristle tufts may be the same height as or taller than the bristles in the type B bristle tufts, which may in turn be taller than the bristles in the type C bristle tufts.

To illustrate this aspect, several examples were created. Table 1 below describes dimensions common to each of the several examples ofbristle head1.

TABLE 1

Feature	Dimension (mm)

distance from handle end to inflection surface	59
distance from head end toinflection surface	12
diameter of transmission housing athandle end	12
diameter of transmission housing atinflection surface	6
height ofhead end	8
distance from handle end to first circumferential ridge	4.5
distance from first circumferential ridge to second	3
circumferential ridge
width of circumferential ridge	1.5
height of rotating disk	3
diameter of rotating disk	14.6
diameter of bristle tufts	1.6

The produced examples ofbristle head1 differ from one another in the dimensions and combination of types A, B, and C ofbristle tufts30. These dimensions are summarized in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2

			Bristle Thickness	Bristle Height
Example	Type	Form	(mil)	(mm)

Example 1	A	Tapered	7	8
	B	End-Rounded	6	7
	C	End-Rounded	6	6
Example 2	A	Tapered	7	8
	B	End-Rounded	6	7
	C	End-Rounded	5	6
Example 3	A	Tapered	7	8
	B	Tapered	7	8
	C	End-Rounded	6	6
Example 4	A	Tapered	7	8
	B	Tapered	7	8
	C	End-Rounded	5	6

In Table 2, the bristle height may have a manufacturing tolerance of ±1 mm for PBT, or smaller for nylon. Each of the produced examples was evaluated against a Comparative Example, which is a manual toothbrush without the bristle head as described herein. In evaluating the examples, testing was performed to determine the ability of each example to remove artificial plaque deposits from under the gingival margin and between simulated teeth. These abilities are measured by subgingival access efficacy (SAE) and interproximal access efficacy (IAE), respectively.

In determining SAE, twenty-four tests were performed on each example, attached to a power handle where appropriate. The tests were performed to evaluate the ability of toothbrush bristles to penetrate below simulated gingival tissues around posterior tooth shapes, and to remove artificial plaque, using horizontal brushing motions. SAE is here defined as the maximum depth of the plaque deposit removed, in mm. The testing results are presented in Table 3 below.

	TABLE 3

	Example	SAE Mean (SD)

	Example 1	1.23 (0.26)
	Example 2	1.51 (0.30)
	Example 3	1.40 (0.22)
	Example 4	1.22 (0.27)
	Comparative Example	0.02 (0.07)

In determining IAE, twenty-four tests were performed on each example, attached to a power handle where appropriate. The tests were performed to evaluate the ability of toothbrush bristles to penetrate between simulated teeth and remove simulated plaque deposits, using both horizontal and vertical brushing motions. Tests were performed both for simulated anterior teeth and simulated posterior teeth. IAE is here defined as the maximum width of the plaque deposit removed, in cm. The testing results are presented in Tables 4-6 below, where Table 4 presents results for vertical brushing motions, Table 5 presents results for horizontal brushing motions, and Table 6 presents overall results.

	TABLE 4

	IAE Mean, vertical stroke (SD)

Example	Anterior Teeth	Posterior Teeth

Example 1	1.12 (0.06)	1.15 (0.06)
Example 2	1.20 (0.04)	1.29 (0.07)
Example 3	1.27 (0.05)	1.19 (0.03)
Example 4	1.24 (0.05)	1.15 (0.04)
Comparative Example	0.96 (0.03)	1.17 (0.03)

	TABLE 5

	IAE Mean, horizontal stroke (SD)

Example	Anterior Teeth	Posterior Teeth

Example 1	1.05 (0.06)	1.12 (0.12)
Example 2	1.01 (0.03)	1.07 (0.05)
Example 3	1.02 (0.03)	1.03 (0.05)
Example 4	1.07 (0.03)	1.04 (0.04)
Comparative Example	0.78 (0.04)	1.01 (0.10)

	TABLE 6

	Example	IAE Mean, overall (SD)

	Example 1	1.11 (0.09)
	Example 2	1.14 (0.12)
	Example 3	1.13 (0.11)
	Example 4	1.12 (0.09)
	Comparative Example	0.98 (0.15)

As can be seen from the above test results, each of Examples 1-4 exhibit superior IAE and SAE to the Comparative Example.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, illustrated inFIG. 3B, the type B bristle tufts and type C bristle tufts ofFIG. 3A are the same and referred to as type B′ bristle tufts. In this aspect, the type A bristle tufts have bristles with a tapered form and the type B′ bristle tufts may have bristles with either a tapered form or an end-rounded form. In this configuration, the bristles in the type A bristle tufts may be the same height as, taller than, or shorter than the bristles in the type B′ bristle tufts.

To illustrate this aspect, several examples were created. The dimensions of the types of bristle tufts are summarized in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7

			Bristle Thickness	Bristle Height
Example	Type	Form	(mil)	(mm)

Example 5	A	Tapered	7	8
	B′	End-Rounded	6	6
Example 6	A	Tapered	7	8
	B′	End-Rounded	6	7
Example 7	A	Tapered	7	9
	B′	End-Rounded	6	7
Example 8	A	Tapered	7	10
	B′	End-Rounded	6	7
Example 9	A	Tapered	7	9
	B′	End-Rounded	6	8
Example 10	A	Tapered	7	10
	B′	End-Rounded	6	8
Example 11	A	Tapered	7	10
	B′	End-Rounded	6	9

In Table 7, the bristle height may have a manufacturing tolerance of ±1 mm for PBT, or smaller for nylon.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, the type A bristle tufts and type B bristle tufts are the same. In this aspect, the type A and B bristle tufts have bristles with a tapered form and the type C bristle tufts may have bristles with either a tapered form or an end-rounded form. In this configuration, the bristles in the types A and B bristle tufts may be the same height as, taller than, or shorter than the bristles in the type C bristle tufts.

CONCLUSION

The powered toothbrush bristle head as described in the foregoing disclosure may be embodied in any one or more of the following configurations:

(1) A toothbrush head, comprising: a transmission housing; a substantially disk-shaped bristle carrier; a plurality of first bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a first virtual circle; and a plurality of second bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a second virtual circle, the second virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the first virtual circle, wherein each of the plurality of first bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a first type, having a tapered form.

(2) The toothbrush head according to (1), wherein a first subset of the plurality of second bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a second type, having an end-rounded form.

(3) The toothbrush head according to (1) or (2), wherein a height of the plurality of bristles of the first type is greater than a height of the plurality of bristles of the second type.

(4) The toothbrush head according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a second subset of the plurality of second bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a third type.

(5) The toothbrush head according to (4), wherein the third type is the same as the first type.

(6) The toothbrush head according to (4) or (5), wherein the plurality of bristles of the third type have an end-rounded form, and a height of the plurality of bristles of the third type is greater than a height of the plurality of bristles of the second type, and less than a height of the plurality of bristles of the third type.

(7) The toothbrush head according to any one of (1) to (6), further comprising a plurality of third bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a third virtual circle, the third virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the second virtual circle.

(8) The toothbrush head according to (7), wherein each of the plurality of third bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of the second type.

(9) The toothbrush head according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the plurality of bristles of the second type are formed of a nylon.

(10) The toothbrush head according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the plurality of bristles of the first type are formed of polybutylene terephthalate.

(11) A powered toothbrush, comprising: a toothbrush head including: a transmission housing, a substantially disk-shaped bristle carrier, a plurality of first bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a first virtual circle, and a plurality of second bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a second virtual circle, the second virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the first virtual circle; and a power handle, wherein each of the plurality of first bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a first type, having a tapered form.

(12) The powered toothbrush according to (11), wherein a first subset of the plurality of second bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a second type, having an end-rounded form.

(13) The powered toothbrush according to (11) or (12), wherein a height of the plurality of bristles of the first type is greater than a height of the plurality of bristles of the second type.

(14) The powered toothbrush according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein a second subset of the plurality of second bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a third type.

(15) The powered toothbrush according to (14), wherein the third type is the same as the first type.

(16) The powered toothbrush according to (14) or (15), wherein the plurality of bristles of the third type have an end-rounded form, and a height of the plurality of bristles of the third type is greater than a height of the plurality of bristles of the second type, and less than a height of the plurality of bristles of the third type.

(17) The powered toothbrush according to any one of (11) to (16), further comprising a plurality of third bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a third virtual circle, the third virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the second virtual circle.

(18) The powered toothbrush according to (17), wherein each of the plurality of third bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of the second type.

(19) The powered toothbrush according to any one of (11) to (18), wherein the plurality of bristles of the second type are formed of a nylon.

(20) The powered toothbrush according to any one of (11) to (19), wherein the plurality of bristles of the first type are formed of polybutylene terephthalate.

With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.