IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,751,675
Granted Patent B2
US 11,751,675 · App. 17/249,055 · Granted Sep 12, 2023

Toothbrush

Inventors: Chi Shing Wong (Warren, NJ); Douglas J. Hohlbein (Hopewell, NJ); Kenneth Waguespack (North Brunswick, NJ); Al Sprosta (Maplewood, NJ); Wen Jin Xi (Shanghai, CN); Xiangji Ding (YangZhou, CN)
Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
A46B5/026A46B5/02A46B9/04A46B15/0016A46B15/0087A46B15/0055A46B2200/1066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,751,675
App. No.
17/249,055
Granted
Sep 12, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An toothbrush having a handle and a head. The handle may include a first component and a second component covering at least a portion of the first component. The first and second components may be chemically compatible. The first and second components may both comprise a hard polyolefin. The first and second components may have different transparencies. In one aspect, the first component may be opaque and the second component may be transparent or semi-transparent. In some aspects, the handle may also include a third component comprising a thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, there may be at least one projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first component.

Claims (15)

1. A toothbrush comprising:

an opaque base component comprising an outer surface and at least one projection protruding from the outer surface;

a second component covering the outer surface of the base component, the second component being at least semi-transparent; and

wherein a distal end of the at least one projection is flush with an outer surface of the second component;

a third component formed of a thermoplastic elastomer covering at least one of: (1) a portion of the base component; and (2) a portion of the second component; and

wherein the opaque base component and second component are chemically compatible, comprise a hard polyolefin, and the opaque base component and the second components have different transparencies.

2. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the opaque base component is formed from a hard plastic.

3. The toothbrush according to claim 2 wherein the second component is formed from a hard plastic.

4. The toothbrush according to claim 1 further comprising a third component formed of a thermoplastic elastomer covering portions of the base component in a gripping region that are not covered by the second component.

5. The toothbrush according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of bristle tufts extending from a first side of a head; and

a third component formed of a thermoplastic elastomer covering a portion of a second side of the head that is opposite the first side of the head to form a tongue cleaner.

6. The toothbrush according to claim 1 further comprising a third component formed of a thermoplastic elastomer covering at least a portion of the second component.

7. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the second component is overmolded onto the base component.

8. The toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the second component is transparent.

Continuity (6)
Continuation 16048747 · Jul 30, 2018
Continuation 14639848 · Mar 5, 2015
Continuation 14108887 · Dec 17, 2013
Continuation 13461083 · May 1, 2012
Continuation 12142900 · Jun 20, 2008
Related Publication 20210169207A1 · Jun 10, 2021