Rotary electric toothbrush with stroke-type bristle movement
Patent 5974615 Issued on November 2, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date: 
October 28, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
October 28, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 739092 filed on 10/28/1996US Classes:15/22.4, Swinging tool15/22.1, Handle mount15/28, Rotary disk74/23Rotary to reciprocating and alternating rotaryExaminersPrimary: Graham, Mark S.Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassA46B 013/02Foreign Application Priority Data1996-07-10 DEAbstractAn electric toothbrush (1) is described which incorporates a handle (2) and a brush attachment (3). The handle (2) houses an electric motor (8). Protruding from the handle (2) is a shaft (20), which is coupled to the electric motor (8). The brush attachment (3) can be mounted on the handle (2). The brush attachment (3) supports a bristle head (26) which can be coupled to the shaft (20), and from which protrude a multiplicity of bristles (4). In the operating mode, the bristle head (26) describes a rotary motion (49) and a stroke motion (50), with the frequency of the stroke movement (50) being higher, and preferably substantially higher, than the frequency of the rotary movement (49.) The stroke movement (50) provides a poking action of the bristles (4), which serves to loosen plaque from dental surfaces. The rotary movement (49) serves to wipe away plaque loosened from the dental surfaces. | |
