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I claim:
1. A toothbrush comprising;
an elongated handle including an intermediate portion having a longitudinal
axis, and
a pair of brush heads respectively secured to opposite ends of said handle,
said brush heads extending in substantially parallel planes and including
bristle tufts respectively secured thereto for forming a pair of
substantially identical bristle surfaces,
each of said brush heads extending at an angle with respect to said
longitudinal axis so that one of said bristle surfaces generally extends
inwardly towards said intermediate portion of said handle and the other
one of said bristles surfaces generally extends outwardly away from said
intermediate portion of said handle, whereby said brush heads can be
effectively utilized to remove plaque from all the surfaces of all the
user's teeth and gums.
2. A toothbrush as specified in claim 1
wherein each of said brush heads is generally disc-shaped and includes a
rounded peripheral surface extending between front and back surfaces,
wherein each of said front surfaces of said brush heads is generally planar
and include holes which extend inwardly and generally perpendicularly with
respect to said front surface, and
wherein said bristle tufts are secured within said holes and extend
outwardly and generally perpendicularly with respect to said front
surface, said bristle tufts gradually increasing in length from a minimum
length at the periphery of said front surface to a maximum length at the
center of said front surface so that said bristle tufts form a generally
circular convex bristle surface.
3. A toothbrush as specified in claim 2
wherein said handle includes two curved neck portions respectively
extending from opposite ends of said intermediate portion and at generally
opposite angles with respect to said longitudinal axis,
wherein each of said brush heads is respectively secured to one of said
curved neck portions so that said brush heads extend at opposite angles
with respect to said longitudinal axis, and
wherein said bristle tufts are secured to said brush heads so that both of
said convex bristle surfaces extend outwardly in generally the same
direction on the same side of said handle.
4. A toothbrush as specified in claim 3 wherein said brush heads secured to
said curved neck portions extend at opposite angles of between 20 to 30
degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis.
5. A toothbrush as specified in claim 3 wherein said intermediate portion
of said handle has a generally elongated shape with a generally
football-shaped cross-section.
6. A toothbrush as specified in claim 3 wherein each of said brush heads is
secured to one of said curved neck portions so that said brush heads
extend at opposite angles of 23.degree. with respect to said longitudinal
axis.
7. A toothbrush comprising
an elongated handle including an intermediate portion having a longitudinal
axis and two curved neck portions respectively extending from opposite
ends of said intermediate portions and at angles with respect to said
longitudinal axis,
a pair of brush heads each respectively secured to one of said curved neck
portions, each of said brush heads being generally disc-shaped and
including a rounded peripheral surface extending between front and back
surfaces, each of the front and back surfaces of each of said brush heads
extending in substantially parallel planes and including bristle tufts
secured to said front surface of said brush head for forming a pair of
substantially identical bristle surfaces,
each of said brush heads being secured to one of said curved neck portions
and extending at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis so that
one of said bristle surfaces extends inwardly toward said intermediate
portion of said handle and the other one of said bristle surfaces extends
outwardly away from said intermediate portion of said handle,
whereby said brush heads can be effectively utilized to remove plaque from
all the surfaces of all of the user's teeth and gums.
8. A toothbrush as specified in claim 7
wherein said intermediate portion, said curved neck portions, and said
brush heads are intergrally molded as one piece,
wherein each of said front surfaces of said brush heads is generally planar
and includes molded holes which extend inwardly and generally
perpendicularly with respect to said front surface, and
wherein said bristle tufts are secured within said holes and extend
outwardly and generally perpendicularly with respect to said front
surface, said bristle tufts gradually increasing in length from a minimum
length at the periphery of said front surface to a maximum length at the
center of said front surface so that said bristle tufts form a generally
circular convex bristle surface.
9. A toothbrush as specified in claim 7
wherein said two curved neck portions respectively extend from opposite
ends of said intermediate portion and at generally opposite angles with
respect to said longitudinal axis,
wherein each of said brush heads is secured to one of said curved neck
portions so that said brush heads are held at opposite angles of between
20 and 30 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis, and
wherein said bristle tufts are respectively secured to said front surfaces
of said brush heads so that said generally circular convex bristle
surfaces extend outwardly in generally the same directions on the same
side of said handle, whereby said back surface of the brush head not in
immediate use can be utilized to support a portion of the user's hand.
10. A toothbrush comprising
an integrally molded handle including an elongated generally cylindrical
intermediate portion having a longitudinal axis, two tapered curved neck
portions respectively extending from opposite ends of said intermediate
portion and at generally opposite angles with respect to said longitudinal
axis, and a pair of generally disc-shaped brush heads, each respectively
secured to one of said neck portions and including a rounded peripheral
surface extending between front and back surfaces,
each of said front surfaces of said brush heads being generally planar and
including holes which extend inwardly and generally perpendicularly with
respect to said front surface, each of the front and back surfaces of each
of the brush heads extending in substantially parallel planes, each of
said brush heads including bristle tufts which are secured within said
holes and extend outwardly and generally perpendicularly with respect to
said front surface, said bristle tufts gradually increasing in length from
a minimum length at the periphery of said front surface to a maximum
length at the center of said front surface so that said bristle tufts form
a pair of substantially identical, generally circular convex bristle
surfaces,
said generally circular convex bristle surfaces extending outwardly in
generally the same direction on the same side of said handle so that the
back surface of the brush head not in immediate use can be utilized to
support a portion of the user's hand, and
wherein each of said brush heads is secured to one of said curved neck
portions so that said brush heads extend at opposite angles of between 20
and 30 degrees with respect to said longitudinal axis, each of said brush
heads extending at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis so that
one of said convex bristle surfaces extends generally inwardly toward said
intermediate portion of said handle and the other one of said convex
bristle surfaces extends generally outwardly away from said intermediate
portion of said handle, whereby said brush heads can be effectively
utilized to remove plaque from all the surfaces of all of the user's teeth
and gums. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to toothbrushes, and more particularly, to
toothbrushes having two brush heads arranged to provide for more efficient
cleaning of the user's teeth and gums.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Various prior art toothbrushes have been proposed to provide for more
efficient cleaning of the user's teeth and gums. Typical and pertinent
examples of such toothbrushes, including examples of toothbrushes having
two brush heads, are included in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:
Levin 1,913,990 issued June 13, 1933
Fitzgerald 2,153,554 issued Apr. 11, 1939
Meeske 2,229,664 issued Jan. 28, 1941
Seko 2,651,068 issued Sept. 8, 1953
Gracian 2,978,724 issued Apr. 11, 1961
Soleymani 3,474,481 issued Oct. 28, 1969
Despite the design of numerous prior art toothbrushes which have attempted
to provide for more efficient cleaning of the user's teeth, there still
exists the problem of inadequate removal of plaque from the concave
surfaces of at least some of the user's teeth. Such inadequate removal of
plaque results in tooth decay, and gum or periodontal disease. The
incidence of such tooth decay and gum disease is found by dentists to be
widely prevalent, notwithstanding the fact that at least some of the
unfortunate patients do regularly brush with conventionally designed or
standard design toothbrushes available today.
While various prior art toothbrush designs have been proposed, the
"standard design" toothbrush which has evolved basically consists of a
brush with a straight handle having a brush head with bristles set in a
rectangular configuration. Prior art toothbrushes and such standard design
toothbrushes do not lend themselves effectively to cleaning the lingual
surfaces of the anterior teeth because the generally long flat arrangement
of the rectangular bristle configuration will not fit into the curved
areas directly behind the anterior teeth, either on the top or bottom of
the user's mouth. The present day manufacturers' attempt to overcome this
inadequacy by advising the users to place the "toe" or outer edge of the
brush into these areas to clean them. This requires a very difficult and
clumsy maneuver by the patient and as a result the areas are not cleaned.
As a result of inadequate cleaning, calculus or tartar is generally formed
in the concave region behind the six lower front teeth. This area always
contains a pool of saliva and the calcium and phosphorus in the saliva
precipitates out into the old plaque which is left on the teeth in this
area (old plaque refers to plaque which has remained on the teeth for some
period of time in excess of 24 hours and has become more firmly affixed to
the teeth). When this precipitation occurs calculus forms, and it provides
a porous surface for new plaque to attach to. A fresh layer of plaque
becomes active here, producing acids and irritants to cause decay and gum
disease, respectively.
Soon this plaque becomes calculus and another layer of plaque forms, on and
on until the teeth are firmly entrenched in a covering of calculus. This
results in local infection and irritation of the attachment apparatus or
ligaments of the teeth, and periodontal disease sets in. All this occurs
while the patient may be brushing the front surfaces of the teeth fairly
adequately, but the damage goes on undetected on the lingual or concave
back surface of the lower front teeth.
Another problem area is the back or lingual portion of the upper anterior
or front teeth. This area is located and curved in such a way as to make
the use of a prior art or standard toothbrush very difficult. The straight
line rectangular bristle configuration of a standard toothbrush makes
cleaning the lingual concave surfaces of these teeth almost impossible and
the gum line area even more difficult. The patient cannot see this surface
of the teeth and if they are to try, as the general advice from most brush
manufacturers goes, to use the "toe" of the brush, their effectiveness
here is strictly and severely limited.
In summary, despite the design of numerous prior art toothbrushes which
have attempted to provide for more efficient cleaning of the user's teeth,
such prior art toothbrushes have been found to be lacking in providing a
toothbrush which can be used for removing plaque from all of the user's
teeth. Specifically, such prior art toothbrushes have not provided the
user with two brush heads having convex bristle surfaces which are
designed and arranged to be comfortable, and which are easy to selectively
use for efficiently removing plaque which forms on the concave lingual
surfaces of the upper and lower teeth, and on the concave surfaces of all
of the user's other teeth.
This invention is concerned with this general area and has among its
objects to provide a toothbrush which avoids some or all of the
inadequacies of the prior art.
Another more particular object of the present invention is to provide a
toothbrush which is simple and economical to manufacture, and which is
designed to cooperate with the user's hand, mouth and teeth so as to be
comfortable and easy to use, while still providing for efficient removal
of plaque from the user's teeth, thus insuring its more regular and
thorough use.
A still more particular object of the present invention is to provide such
a toothbrush which includes two brush heads having convex bristle surfaces
designed and arranged so that plaque can be efficiently removed from the
lingual and other concave surfaces of all of the user's teeth and gums.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing objects, the invention provides a toothbrush
comprising an elongated handle including an intermediate portion having a
longitudinal axis, and a pair of brush heads extending in substantially
parallel planes, and respectively secured to opposite ends of the handle,
the brush heads including bristle tufts respectively secured thereto for
forming a pair of substantially identical bristle surfaces. Each of the
brush heads extends at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis so
that one of the bristle surfaces generally extends inwardly toward the
intermediate portion of the handle and the other one of the bristle
surfaces generally extends outwardly away from the intermediate portion of
the handle, whereby the brush heads can be effectively utilized to remove
plaque from the concave surfaces of all of the user's teeth.
The handle and brush heads are preferably integrally molded in one piece.
Each of the brush heads is preferably disc-shaped and includes a rounded
peripheral surface extending between front and back surfaces, the front
and back surfaces of each of the brush heads extending in substantially
parallel planes. To facilitate ease of molding and manufacture, each of
the front surfaces of the brush heads is generally planar and is
preferably molded to include holes which extend inwardly and generally
perpendicularly with respect to the front surface. Each brush head
preferably includes bristle tufts which are secured within the holes and
which gradually increase in length from a minimum at the periphery of the
front surface to a maximum at the center of the front surface so that the
bristle tufts form a pair of generally circular convex bristle surfaces.
In the preferred construction, the integrally molded handle includes two
tapered curved neck portions respectively extending from opposite ends of
the intermediate portion and at generally opposite angels with respect to
the longitudinal axis. Each of the brush heads is secured to one of the
neck portions so that the brush heads extend at opposite angles of between
20 and 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis. Both of the
convex bristle surfaces extend outwardly in generally the same direction
on the same side of the handle so that the back surface of the brush head
not in immediate use can be utilized to support a portion of the user's
hand. The intermediate portion of the handle preferably has a elongated
generally cylindrical shape and includes a fluted outer surface to
facilitate flexible and comfortable use of the toothbrush.
Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will
become known by reference to the following general description, the
appended claims and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the toothbrush embodying various features of
the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partial view showing one of the brush heads in a position of
contemplated use.
FIG. 4 is a partial view showing the brush head of FIG. 3 in another
position of contemplated use.
FIG. 5 is a partial view showing the brush head of FIG. 3 in yet another
position of contemplated use.
FIG. 6 is a partial view showing the other one of the brush heads in a
position of contemplated use.
FIG. 7 is a partial view showing the brush head of FIG. 6 in another
postion of contemplated use.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the intermediate portion of the handle of the
toothbrush taken along line 8--8 shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, illustrating an alternative
embodiment wherein the intermediate portion of the handle has a different
cross-sectional configuration.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the brush heads of the
toothbrush shown in FIG. 1.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to
like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a toothbrush 10
including an elongated handle, generally designated 12, and brush heads 14
and 16 secured at opposite ends thereto. The handle 12 preferably consists
of an intermediate portion 18 having a longitudinal axis, designated 20,
and includes two curved neck portions, 22 and 24 respectively, extending
from opposite ends of the intermediate portion 18.
Each of the brush heads 14 and 16 include bristle tufts 26 forming
substantially identical generally circular convex bristle surfaces 28
(described in more detail below) and are respectively secured to the neck
portions 22 and 24 so that one of the convex bristle surfaces 28 extends
generally inwardly toward the intermediate portion 18 of the handle, and
the other one of the convex bristle surfaces 28 extends generally
outwardly away from the intermediate portion 18 of the handle, whereby the
brush heads can be effectively utilized to remove plaque from the concave
surfaces of the user's teeth and gums.
As shown in the illustrated construction, (See FIGS. 1 and 8) the
intermediate portion 18 preferably has an elongated cylindrical shape and
includes a fluted outer surface 19 to facilitate the user holding and
maneuvering the toothbrush. If desired, the intermediate portion can have
other cross-sectional configurations, such as the "football-shaped"
configuration shown in FIG. 9, and which tends to orientate the brush in
an advantageous and stable position in the user's hand. While other
arrangements are possible, the two curved neck portions 22 and 24
preferably extend at generally opposite angles with respect to the
longitudinal axis 20. Brush heads 14 and 16 are respectively secured to
the curved neck portions 22 and 24 and also extend at opposite angles,
designated A and A', with respect to longitudinal axis 22.
In order to provide easy access to, and efficient cleaning of the user's
teeth, the brush heads 14 and 16 preferably extend at opposite angles of
between 20 and 30 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis 22.
Opposite angles, A and A', of 23 degrees are believed to result in the
most efficient configuration of the toothbrush for cleaning the user's
teeth.
Each of the brush heads 14 and 16 is generally disc-shaped and includes a
rounded outer peripheral surface 30 extending between the front surface 32
and the back surface 34, the front and back surfaces of each of the brush
heads extending in substantially parallel planes so that one or the other
of the brush heads can be maneuvered easily by the user to be in the same
relative position with respect to all the surface areas of the user's
teeth and gums. The bristle tufts 26 each preferably consist of about 30
individual round end nylon bristles, and are secured to the front surfaces
32 of the bristle heads to form a pair of substantially identical
generally circular convex bristle surfaces 28, the feature of the
substantially identical bristle surfaces being provided so that the user
can easily orient one brush head or the other so that essentially the same
optimum bristle surface can be applied to all the areas of the user's
teeth and gums.
The handle 12 and brush heads 14 and 16 are preferably integrally molded as
one piece. In order to facilitate ease of molding and manufacture, each of
the front surfaces (i.e. the surfaces of the brush heads to which the
bristle tufts are secured) is generally planar and includes or is molded
to form holes 36 which extend inwardly and generally perpendicularly with
respect to the front surface. The bristle tufts 26 are secured within the
holes 36 in a conventional manner and extend outwardly and generally
perpendicularly with respect to the front surface. The bristle tufts can
be uniformly secured within the holes 36 and can be selected to gradually
increase in length from a minimum length (e.g. 9 mm.) at the periphery of
the front surface to a maximum length (e.g. 11 mm.) at the center of the
front surface (see FIG. 10) in order to provide the generally circular
convex bristle surfaces 28.
USE OF THE TOOTHBRUSH
The toothbrush disclosed herein is designed to cooperate with the hand,
mouth, and teeth of the user so as to be comfortable and easy to use while
providing for efficient cleaning or removal of plaque from the user's
teeth and gums, thus promoting its more regular and thorough use. In this
regard, it should be noted that the bristle tufts 26 are respectively
secured to the front surfaces 32 of the brush heads so that the generally
circular convex bristle surfaces 28 extend outwardly in generally the same
direction on the same side of the handle. Consequently, the toothbrush can
be comfortably held so as to allow use of either brush head, i.e. the
user's hand can be rested on, or supported by the back surface 34 of the
brush head not in immediate use.
Since the circular bristle surfaces 28 are respectively secured to brush
heads which extend at opposite angles with respect to the longitudinal
axis of the intermediate portion of the handle, the toothbrush can be
comfortably and efficiently utilized for removing plaque which forms on
the concave surfaces of all of the user's teeth and gums. More
particularly, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the brush head 14 which
extends or curves generally outwardly away from the intermediate portion
of the handle is particularly suited for cleaning the concave occlusal
surface 37 of a lower molar 38. As shown in FIG. 4, brush head 14 is also
particularly suited for cleaning the palatal surface 41 of the upper molar
42.
As shown in FIG. 6, the other brush head 16, which extends or curves
generally inwardly toward the intermediate portion of the handle, is
particularly suited for cleaning the lingual surface 39 of the lower molar
38. When FIG. 6 is inverted, it illustrates that the brush head 16 can
also be used for cleaning the buccal surface of upper molars.
The curved neck portions and brush heads including the generally circular
convex bristle surfaces are designed to effectively clean the lingual
surfaces of upper and lower teeth. As illustrated in FIG. 7, brush head 16
would be particularly advantageous for cleaning the area behind and back
of the lower front teeth, designated 44, i.e. the lingual surface of the
lower anterior teeth 46 (one shown). Similarly, the brush head 14 (see
FIG. 5) would be well-suited for cleaning the back of the upper front
teeth, designated 48, i.e. the lingual surface of the upper anterior teeth
50 (one shown). As noted in the earlier Description of the Prior Art, both
of these areas of the mouth are curved or concave and prior art
toothbrushes have not cleaned these areas properly or comfortably, whereas
my toothbrush with brush heads 14 and 16 will. Furthermore, since the
convex bristle surfaces are generally circular, they are much less likely
to cause toothbrush abrasion of the teeth and gums as is often caused by
prior art or standard toothbrushes having rectangular bristle surface
designs.
Thus, it should now be readily apparent that all the surfaces of the user's
teeth and gums, and in particular the convex surfaces where plaque is
likely to be formed, can be efficiently cleaned by using one or the other
of the brush heads 14 and 16 of my toothbrush.
Since the brush heads 14 and 16 are generally disc-shaped and include
rounded outer surfaces 30, the toothbrush can be used without causing
injury or irritation to the user's mouth and gums. Also, since the bristle
tufts adjacent the center of the front surface are longer, and hence
inherently more flexible, the central bristle tufts can be utilized to
reach deeper into the convex surfaces and areas formed between the user's
teeth, and teeth and gum line. The shorter, and hence, inherently more
rigid bristle tufts 26 extending around the periphery of the front surface
tend to support and retain in position the longer and more flexible
central bristle tufts. Also, the shorter bristle tufts themselves tend to
resist becoming bent or deformed, thereby further insuring that the
circular generally convex surface of the bristle tufts is retained.
It is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the particular
construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described,
but is intended to embrace all such modified forms thereof which come
within the scope of the following claims.
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