US5054154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toothbrush with flexible head
Assignee: M&C Schiffer GmbH
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Filing: 1989-10-17
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Granted: 1991-10-08
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Expires: 2009-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A toothbrush formed of a handle, a neck and a bristle head. In order to allow the bristle head to move out of the way in the event of excessive brushing pressure being applied during toothbrushing, an elastic segment is provided between the handle and the bristle head. Injury to the gums, damage to the teeth and possibly to the tooth-holding means can be averted by the elastic flexure of the bristle head. The elastic segment is formed by one or more clearances, slots or slits at least partially filled with elastic polymeric/copolymeric plastic material.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Schiffer
- 👤 Berthold Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:40
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B5/00; A46B5/002; A46B5/0054; A46B5/0062; A46B5/007; A46B15/00; A46B15/0002; A46B15/0004; A46B15/0012; A46B5/02; A46B2200/00; A46B2200/10; A46B2200/1066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and open in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, and said elastic material extends above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and open in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, and said elastic material extends above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The toothbrush as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one slit is of an arcuate configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The toothbrush as defined in claimed 1, wherein said at least one slit is of an arcuate configuration opening in a direction away from said bristle head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
122 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally logitudianl axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally tranverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, said at least one slit is of an arcuate configuration, and said elastic material extends above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally logitudianl axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally tranverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, said at least one slit is of an arcuate configuration, and said elastic material extends above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely for said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, at least one further slit disposed adjacent to said first-mentioned at least one slit, elastic material in said at least one further slit, and the elastic material in said at least one and further slits protrudes above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely for said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, at least one further slit disposed adjacent to said first-mentioned at least one slit, elastic material in said at least one further slit, and the elastic material in said at least one and further slits protrudes above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, at least one further slit disposed adjacent to said first-mentioned at least one slit, elastic material in said at least one further slit, the elastic material in said at least one and further slits protrudes above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest, and said at least one and further slits open in the same direction as the direction of projection of said bristles from said handle one side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head include a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head, said elastic segment forming means includes at least one slit disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, elastic material in said at least one slit, at least one further slit disposed adjacent to said first-mentioned at least one slit, elastic material in said at least one further slit, the elastic material in said at least one and further slits protrudes above an outer surface of said handle forming an area for a user's thumb to rest, and said at least one and further slits open in the same direction as the direction of projection of said bristles from said handle one side.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head including a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head; said elastic segment forming means including a plurality of curved slits spaced from each other, said plurality of curved slits being disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, and elastic material in said curved slits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A toothbrush comprising a handle, a neck, a bristle head and bristles projecting generally transversely from said bristle head in a direction away from one side of said handle; said handle, neck and bristle head including a generally longitudinal axis, means for forming an elastic segment between said handle and said bristle head; said elastic segment forming means including a plurality of curved slits spaced from each other, said plurality of curved slits being disposed in generally transverse relationship to said longitudinal axis and opening in a direction transversely away from said longitudinal axis, and elastic material in said curved slits.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-07 | 1995-04-08 | 1995-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-07 | 1999-04-08 | 1999-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-07 | 2003-04-08 | 2003-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |