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Electric toothbrush comprising an electrically powered element

a technology of electric toothbrushes and electric motors, which is applied in the field of electric toothbrushes, can solve the problems of consuming much of the space available within the head and neck of the toothbrush, and the mechanics of the toothbrush, especially the drive shaft, are often diminished, and the transmission of fiber optics is often diminished

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-03-10
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, emissions conveyed through a transmitter such as fiber optics are often diminished.
However, an electrically powered element disposed on the head of an electric toothbrush must be of a size and placement such that space remains for bristles and the mechanics of the electric toothbrush.
The mechanics of the toothbrush, especially the drive shaft, consume much of the space available within the head and neck of the toothbrush.
Additionally, increasing the size of the head and / or handle of the toothbrush to increase space for including the electrically powered element can result in a toothbrush that is too large to effectively and comfortably clean the surfaces of the oral cavity.

Method used

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  • Electric toothbrush comprising an electrically powered element
  • Electric toothbrush comprising an electrically powered element
  • Electric toothbrush comprising an electrically powered element

Examples

Experimental program
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embodiment 10

[0068]FIGS. 1-5 collectively illustrate other features of the toothbrush embodiment 10. For example, the toothbrush may feature one or more gripping regions such as 70 and 72; and, as previously noted, the switch 52 that may be selectively positioned within a switching region 56 defined along the handle 12. Upon activation, the light emitting element illuminates the region and specifically, the brushing environment, to which a face surface 21 of the head 16 is directed.

[0069] In another, related embodiment 300, the light-emitting element 375 is disposed within an aperture or hole 88 that extends through a moving bristle holder 320, as best seen in FIG. 6, so that the light-emitting element is stationary and the moving bristle holder 320 oscillates or rotates about the stationary light-emitting element 375. FIG. 6 depicts a toothbrush embodiment 300 having a head 316 and a neck 314 with the movable bristle holder 320 disposed on the head. A plurality of bristles 332 are supported on ...

embodiment 600

[0073]FIG. 7a depicts a toothbrush embodiment 600 having a head 616 and a neck 614 in accordance with the present invention. The head 616 comprises a single bristle holder 620 having light-emitting element 675 disposed therein. The bristle holder 620 includes one or more rings of concentric circles of bristles or bristle tufts 632.

[0074]FIG. 8 depicts another toothbrush 800 having a head 816 and a neck 814. The head 816 has a first bristle holder 820 that moves and a second bristle holder 822 that is fixed or stationary. Both bristle holders have light-emitting elements 875 disposed thereon. The first bristle holder 820 has a plurality of bristle tufts 832 that encircle the light-emitting element 875 disposed thereon, and the second bristle holder 834 has a plurality of bristle tufts 822 that surround the light-emitting element 875 disposed thereon. FIG. 8a depicts another embodiment of the present invention. The head and neck of toothbrush 900 comprises three bristle holders 902, 9...

embodiment 500

[0078] In other embodiments, the light emitting element can be disposed on, in or under the second bristle holder located on a portion of the toothbrush head proximal to the neck, as shown in FIGS. 7, 7b, and 8. FIG. 7 illustrates a toothbrush embodiment 500 having a head 516 and a neck 514. It will be appreciated that the neck 514 extends between the head 516 and a handle of the toothbrush (not shown). Disposed on the head 516 is a single moving bristle holder 520 having a plurality of bristle tufts 532 disposed thereon. Disposed on a second bristle holder 534 is a light-emitting element 575. The toothbrush 500 can include a plurality of static bristles 522 disposed on the second bristle holder 534. The light emitting element 575 extends through the second bristle holder 534, and the area above the light emitting element 575 is substantially free of bristles. FIG. 7b illustrates an embodiment of the toothbrush 501 having a light emitting element 575 disposed underneath a second bri...

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Abstract

A toothbrush having an electrically powered element disposed on a head of an electric toothbrush. The electrically powered element can be a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode. Further the electrically powered element can serve as a pin and / or axis of motion for a movable bristle holder positioned along the face of the brush head.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10 / 832,168 filed on Apr. 26, 2004, and application Ser. No. 10 / 842,302 filed on May 10, 2004, and application Ser. No. 10 / 847,429 filed on May 17, 2004 and application Serial No. ______ not assigned (P&G Case No. 9357MR2) filed on Jul. 9, 2004 and application Serial No. ______ not assigned (P&G Case No. 9357MR3) filed Jul. 9, 2004 and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 501,266 filed on Sep. 9, 2003, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to electric toothbrushes that utilize a moving bristle holder in conjunction with a light emitting element that illuminates the brushing area and provides a base for the moving bristle holder. In some versions of the toothbrush, a removable head is provided. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A toothbrush which emits light or generates other...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A46B15/00A61C1/08A61C17/22A61C17/34A61C19/06A61N5/06H01L25/075
CPCA61N5/062A61N2005/0606A61N2005/0651A46B15/0002A46B15/0036A46B2200/1066A61N5/0601A61C17/22A61C17/222A61C17/3436A61C17/349A61C19/063A61C19/066A61C1/088H01L2224/48091H01L2224/48247H01L2224/49113H01L2924/00014
Inventor CHAN, JOHN GEOFFREYGHOSH, CHANCHAL KUMARKOVACS, STEPHEN ANDRASMORRISION, LOWEN ROBERT JR.WANG, PINGPINYAYEV, ALEKSEY MIKHAILOVICH
Owner THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
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