US3722020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toothbrush with concavity formed by bristle ends
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-04
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A toothbrush comprising a generally planar head portion having a plurality of bristles forming a concave surface. Some of the bristles are generally perpendicular to said head portion and some are laterally inclined outwardly. This bristle configuration removes food debris, plaque and bacteria ledged in the sulcus area with a minimum of operator manipulation.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:37
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B9/00; A46B9/02; A46B9/04; A46B9/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A toothbrush, comprising: a head portion having a top surface, a plurality of bristles each extending from one end thereof which is secured to said head portion through said surface to a free end thereof, said bristles being disposed in a number of rows, the locus of substantially all of said free ends defining a generally concave plane, at least one of said rows of bristles extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to said top surface and being disposed intermediate at least two of said rows of bristles each extending at an oblique angle with respect to said perpendicular row, and said two rows of bristles further defining an angle less than 180* therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A toothbrush, comprising: a head portion having a top surface, a plurality of bristles each extending from one end thereof which is secured to said head portion through said surface to a free end thereof, said bristles being disposed in a number of rows, the locus of substantially all of said free ends defining a generally concave plane, at least one of said rows of bristles extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to said top surface and being disposed intermediate at least two of said rows of bristles each extending at an oblique angle with respect to said perpendicular row, and said two rows of bristles further defining an angle less than 180* therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said substantially perpendicular row of bristles comprises means for locating the toothbrush against tooth face surfaces, and at least one of said oblique rows of bristles comprising means for cleaning sulcus tooth areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein said head portion is formed with a lower substantially planar surface, a raised substantially planar surface extending substantially parallel with respect to said lower surface, and first and second inclined surfaces joining said lower and raised surfaces, said perpendicularly extending row of bristles extending from said raised surface, a row of said obliquely extending bristles further extending from each of said inclined surfaces, respectively, and said toothbrush further including a row of said bristles extending substantially perpendicularly from each of said lower surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A toothbrush, according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of said angle is in the range of from 35* to 75*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A toothbrush, according to claim 3, wherein said obliquely extending bristles are longer than said perpendicular bristles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A toothbrush, according to claim 5, wherein said obliquely extending bristles further extend laterally with respect to the general direction of said rows beyond side surfaces of said head portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A toothbrush, according to claim 2, wherein said sulcus cleaning means will engage a user''s tooth areas normally in contact with gingivae tissue while said locating means is in contact with face surfaces of said same tooth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A toothbrush, according to claim 2, wherein said number of rows is five.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A toothbrush, according to claim 8, wherein said rows of bristles comprise two oBlique rows and three perpendicular parallel rows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A toothbrush, according to claim 3, wherein each of said oblique rows of bristles extend at an angle from and with respect to the plane of their respective inclined surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |