EP0269665A1

EP0269665A1 - Toothbrush.

Info

Publication number: EP0269665A1
Application number: EP87903317A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heinrich Schaiper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-06-04
Filing date: 1987-05-30
Publication date: 1988-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-30
Also published as: US4864676A; WO1987007484A1; JPS63503438A; JP2530471B2; EP0269665B1; AU7485687A

Abstract

Brosse à dents comportant un manche, une tige, et une tête, laquelle, sur sa surface de base, porte un certain nombre de touffes de soies se dressant essentiellement dans une direction uniforme. La tête (3) de la brosse comprend plusieurs parties (31, 32, 33; 34, 35, 36, 37) qui peuvent se déplacer élastiquement les unes par rapport aux autres et sont remplies d'une ou pusieurs touffes de soies (40, 41, 43).A toothbrush comprising a handle, a shank, and a head, which on its base surface carries a number of tufts of bristles extending essentially in a uniform direction. The brush head (3) comprises several parts (31, 32, 33; 34, 35, 36, 37) which can move elastically relative to each other and are filled with one or more tufts of bristles (40 , 41, 43).

Description

toothbrush

The invention relates to a toothbrush with a brush handle, with a brush handle and with a brush head, which carries on its base surface a number of bristle tufts which project substantially in a uniform direction.

Toothbrushes of the type mentioned are known and are generally used both in versions for manual actuation and for electrical operation.

A disadvantage of all known toothbrushes is the insufficient leg action in the area between the teeth. This is due to the fact that usually a rigid brush head carries a bristle arrangement with a number of bristle tufts which form a largely flat and closed bristle surface. However, since the teeth do not form a flat surface, a complete or at least sufficient cleaning of the interdental spaces is not or hardly possible. The bristles of such brushes can only get into the interdental space if the adjacent bristles are deformed to a corresponding extent. For this purpose, a correspondingly high pressure force must be exerted on the brush head, which, however, over time leads to damage to the tooth structure, e.g. B. can lead to wedge-shaped cleaning defects on the tooth necks. In addition, such a high pressure force causes pain sensations on the gums, so that a toothbrush user is brought to use a lower pressure force for this reason. Finally, it is to perform as a disadvantage that at high pressing force of the bristles on the tooth surface, the bristles in a short time ^"• dau¬ be deformed nently and thus the cleaning effect is even worse. Although in applying certain dental cleaning techniques can also with the described toothbrushes a sufficient cleaning effect In practice, however, it can be observed that the techniques are too complicated and are therefore rarely used.

There have also been attempts to improve the cleaning effect of the toothbrush by special positions of individual bristle tufts or tuft groups, such as V-position or inclination, but in practice no decisive improvements could be achieved with this, since the basic disadvantages of conventional toothbrushes remained.

It is therefore the task of creating a toothbrush of the type mentioned at the outset which avoids the disadvantages mentioned and which ensures improved surface contact with the teeth, which enables thorough cleaning of the interdental spaces even without the use of special toothbrushing techniques, in which Tooth damage due to excessively high pressure forces does not occur and which allows effective and gentle dental care.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a toothbrush of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the brush head consists of a plurality of head parts which can be moved elastically relative to one another and each of which has one or more bristle tufts. The design of the toothbrush according to the invention allows the brush head to be adapted to the tooth surface, including the interdental spaces, so that on the one hand a good, full-surface contact and cleaning effect of the brush head or its bristle arrangement on the tooth is achieved. On the other hand, an excessively high pressing force of the bristles against the tooth is avoided, since the corresponding head part of the brush head can deflect elastically.

A preferred embodiment of the brush provides that the brush handle, at least in the region facing the head, is divided in its longitudinal direction into a plurality of substantially parallel, elastically deflectable partial handles, with at least one head part being assigned to each partial handle. In this way, an elastic deflectability of the head parts perpendicular to the tooth surface is realized in a simple and immediately effective manner, the thrust and tensile forces generated above all on the brush handle being passed on in a straight manner and not influencing the deflection. The degree of deflection of the individual head parts is - as desired - only determined by the shape of the tooth surface. The spring force of the head sections can be adjusted to the correct size by varying the material properties and thickness of the partial handles.

A toothbrush in which the head parts of the brush head are arranged concentrically to one another in the form of at least one ring surrounding a central head part is particularly favorable for cleaning teeth with their more or less rounded surfaces. In contrast to a flat surface, the contact surface of a ring surface on a rounded surface is many times larger. In addition, the central head part and the ring surrounding it can be deflected independently of one another in adaptation to the tooth surface. A further improved adaptability is achieved in that the ring-shaped head part is divided in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush into two half rings that are movable relative to one another. In this way, angular misalignments of the toothbrush can also be compensated to a certain extent during brushing, so that a good cleaning effect is achieved in dental care even with less careful handling of the toothbrush.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that a round, oval or flat-elliptical tufts of bristles is arranged on the central head part. This ring effectively contributes to cleaning on flat or approximately flat tooth surfaces and at the same time has the ability to reach and clean the interdental spaces, since it is not held back by the surrounding bristle tufts of the other head parts standing on the tooth surface. In order to intensify the cleaning of the interdental spaces, the central head part can have a central bristle tuft protruding in length over the surrounding bristle tufts.

Effective cleaning of the interdental spaces can also be achieved by arranging a plurality of bristle tufts on the central head part in such a way that they form a central bristle tuft by pressing the toothbrush against the teeth in the interdental space, which is achieved by appropriate arrangement, alignment and elasticity. the bristles of the bristle tufts in question can be realized.

To provide chemical support for dental care, an elastic, porous, exchangeable or refillable active substance storage body can be arranged centrally in the bristle tuft ring. This storage body is preferably used to release fluorine, which is advantageous is applied directly to the tooth surface, i.e. only where it is supposed to work. The fluorine is applied in particular when the bristle tufts of the ring are moved towards one another in the region of the interdental spaces and thus exert a slight pressure on the storage body.

An alternative embodiment of the toothbrush provides that the head parts of the brush head are arranged parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. This brush head design also offers the advantages described above of better adaptability to the tooth surfaces. In a further embodiment of this brush design, it is provided that each part of the handle is assigned a head part which is U-shaped in the plane of the base surface, the head parts having the free end of one of its U-legs or the U-arm each having the Partial stem connected ^' . The relative mobility of the head parts of the brush head is comparatively somewhat lower in this embodiment, but in this embodiment there is the possibility of accommodating a substantially larger number of bristle tufts.

In order to use the cheek pressure exerted on the back of the brush head during each tooth brushing process to set a favorable distribution of the pressing force of the head parts, the head parts advantageously have back surfaces on their side facing away from the base surface, each with a different height that decreases from the center towards the outside. In this way it is achieved that the head part with the highest back surface experiences the highest pressure force through the cheek and that the force exerted on the other head parts is correspondingly lower. Preferred exemplary embodiments of the toothbrush according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The individual shows:

1 shows a toothbrush according to the invention in a first embodiment in a top view,

FIG. 2 shows the toothbrush from FIG. 1 in a side view,

3 a - 3 c different configurations of the central head part as part of the toothbrush according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in each case in supervision,

4 a and 4 b show a further embodiment of the central head part in a top view and in a side view,

Figure 5 shows a cross section through a head part of a brush according to the invention and

Figure 6 shows a toothbrush according to the invention in a second embodiment in top view.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the illustrated first exemplary embodiment of the toothbrush 1 according to the present invention consists of a brush handle 11, a brush handle 2 and a brush head 3. As with other toothbrushes, the handle 11 is designed in a customary manner while the handle 2 and the head 3 differ significantly from known brushes. In the illustrated embodiment of the brush 1, the handle 2 is divided into three partial handles 21, 22 and 23 running parallel to one another, a gap 25 and 26 respectively being located between the partial handles mentioned. The partial stems 21 to 23 formed in this way are to a certain extent elastically pivotable relative to one another and relative to the handle 11. 1 The brush head 3 is not a rigid structure as in known toothbrushes, but consists of several partial heads 31, 32 and 33. The central partial handle 21 is assigned a central head part 31, which here has a 5 circular shape. An individual central bristle tuft 40 is arranged on the central head part 31. Around the central head part, the approximately semicircular further head parts 32 and 33 are arranged concentrically and each one of the partial stems, namely the head

10 part 32 assigned to the partial handle 22 and the head part 33 to the partial handle 23. A number of bristle tufts 43 are arranged on these two head parts perpendicular to the base surface 30 of the brush head 3 facing the viewer, some of which are also still on the head.

15 facing part of the associated partial stems 22 and 23 are placed. This configuration of the brush handle 2 in the form of partial handles 21 to 23 means that the associated brush head parts 31 to 33 are mutually elastic in directions perpendicular to the course of the partial handles.

20 movable and can thus optimally adapt to the tooth surface to be cleaned.

FIG. 2 shows the toothbrush 1 from FIG. 1 in a side view. Here again is the handle 11 and the

25 adjoining stem 2, d. H. here the partial stem 23 visible. Connected to the handle .2 is the brush head 3, which carries a number of bristle tufts 43 and the central bristle tuft 40 on its base surface 30, which together form a bristle arrangement.

30 Form 4. From this side view it can be clearly seen that the length of the central bristle tufts 40 ^extends beyond the surrounding bristle tufts 43. This shows the division of functions of the individual head parts achieved by the invention. The tufts of bristles

35 43 are used, in particular, for the extensive cleaning of the teeth, while the protruding, central bristle tuft 40 is used in particular for cleaning the interdental spaces responsible is .

Except as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the central head part can also be designed according to Figures 3a to 3c. FIG. 3 a shows the central head part 31, which is connected to the partial handle 21, with a circular bristle tuft ring 41. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3 b, a single central bristle tuft 40 is additionally arranged centrally in the bristle tuft ring 41. A further variant of the central head part 31, as shown in FIG. 3 c, provides a flat-elliptical configuration of the bristle tuft collar 41. It is preferably provided that the long semiaxes of the ellipse run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, with the result that the bristle tuft ring 41 can adapt well to the interdental spaces with little deformation.

Another possible embodiment of the central head part 31 is shown in FIG. 4 a. In this version, the

Central head part 31 has a round bristle tuft ring 41, in the center of which no further bristle tuft, but an active substance storage body 42 is arranged. As can be seen particularly clearly from the cross section in FIG. 4b, the storage body 42 shown here by way of example has a conical shape which tapers towards the top. At its lower end, the body 42 is anchored in the central head part 31 with an extension 42 '. This anchorage can be designed in such a way that the body 42 can be easily replaced, so that a new storage body can be used after the active substance, preferably fluorine, contained therein has been consumed. Preferably, the body 42 is made of a porous, elastic material, e.g. B. foam plastic that stores the active ingredient in its pores. The active substance is preferably released from the storage body 42 by pressing the boron tufts ring 41 on the outside of the storage body 42 while brushing teeth, especially when cleaning interdental spaces.

A further advantageous feature of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. This shows a cross section through a brush head of a toothbrush according to the invention. The parts of the brush head, namely the central head part 31 and the surrounding head parts 32 and 33, all of which are made of plastic, are clearly recognizable. They carry the bristle tufts 43 or the bristle tuft ring 41 on their upper side. Between the head parts 31 to 33, the gap spaces 25 and 26 can be seen, which allow the head parts to be moved without friction relative to one another.

On their side facing away from the bristles, the head parts 31 to 33 have back surfaces 31 ', 32' and 33 'which have different heights. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the back surface 31 'of the central head part 31 has a significantly greater height than the back surfaces 32' and 33 '^{' of} the other two head parts 32 and 33. As a result, increased pressure is exerted on the cheeks during the cleaning process exercised the central head part 31, while the two edge head parts 32 and 33 are pressed less strongly. Due to the stronger pressure of the central head part 31, which is responsible for cleaning, in particular, the interdental spaces, a particularly intensive cleaning effect is produced here, while a lower pressure is sufficient for cleaning the tooth surfaces or the gums for a good cleaning result .

FIG. 6 finally shows an embodiment of a toothbrush 1 according to the present invention, in which the head 3 has a significantly changed structure. While in this toothbrush 1 the handle 11 As is customary, the handle 2 is only divided into two partial handles 21 and 22 with a gap 25 in between. The brush head 3 consists of four head parts 34, 35, 36 and 37 which run parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush 1 and each carry 30 tufts of bristles 44 on their base surface at regular intervals. Two head parts 34 and 36 or 35 and 37 are assigned to a partial handle 21 or 22. The head parts 34 and 36 or 35 and 37 are each formed in one piece in a U-shape, the U-legs each enclosing a gap 26 or 27 between them, and the inner U-leg in each case having its free end with the Stem 21 or 22 is connected. In this embodiment of the brush 1 too, the head parts 34 to 37 can be moved elastically relative to one another, so that a good adaptation of the brush head 4 to the tooth surface or the gums is made possible.

With the toothbrush according to the present invention, a real functional division of the brush head is achieved for the first time. Each head section is assigned a specific function for which it is optimized. This ensures thorough cleaning of the interdental spaces, full-surface treatment of the tooth surfaces and gentle treatment of the gums in one brushing operation.

Claims

Claims;

1. Toothbrush with a brush handle, with a brush handle and with a brush head, which bears on its base surface a number of bristle tufts which rise essentially in the same direction, characterized in that the brush head (3) consists of a plurality of elastically movable, each with one or more tufts of bristles (40, 41, 43) head parts (31, 32, 33; 34, 35, 36, 37).

2. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the brush handle (2) is divided at least in the head toward the region in its longitudinal direction into a plurality of substantially parallel, elastically deflectable partial handles (21, 22, 23), each part ¬ stick (21 - 23) is assigned at least one head part (31 - 33; 34 - 37).

3. Toothbrush according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the head parts (31 - 33) of the brush head (3) are arranged concentrically to one another in the form of at least one central head part (31) surrounding the ring (32, 33).

4. Toothbrush according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the annular head part (32, 33) in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush (1) is divided into two mutually movable half rings (32 and 33).

5. Toothbrush according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a round, oval, or flat-elliptical tufted ring (41) is arranged on the central head part (31).

6. Toothbrush according to claims 1 to 5, gekenn¬ characterized by a length of the surrounding bristle tufts (43) outstanding central bristle tufts (40).

7. Toothbrush according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that on the central head part (31) a plurality of tufts of bristles are arranged such that they form a central tuft of bristles by pressing the toothbrush (1) against the teeth in the space between the teeth.

8. Toothbrush according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an elastic, porous, replaceable or refillable active substance storage body (42) is arranged centrally in the ring (41).

9. Toothbrush according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the head parts (34 - 37) of the

. Brush head (3) are arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush (1).

10. Toothbrush according to claims 1, 2 and 9, characterized in that each partial handle (21, 22) in the plane of the base surface (30) U-shaped curved head part (34, 36; 35, 37) is assigned, wherein the head parts (34, 36; 35, 37) are connected to the free end of one of their U-legs or to the U-bend each with the partial handle (21, 22).

11. Toothbrush according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the head parts (31 - 37) on their side facing away from the base surface (30) back surfaces (31 ', 32', 33 '), each with different, from the center to the outside have decreasing height.