EP0728428A1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The tooth brush comprises a squeezing roller which moves over the tooth paste container (4) inside the hollow handle (2) to empty the container through an outlet (6) onto the free ends of the bristles (8) on the brush head (7). The outlet is in the form of a tubular nozzle (13) on the end of the handle. The brush head is positioned on a long stem (9) separate from the handle. The handle and stem can be pivoted on the same pivot link (10) between two end positions. When folded together, the brush head protrudes beyond the handle on the nozzle side. The squeezer roller is in the form of a knurled shaft (5) which runs along a lengthwise slot (28) in the handle.

Description

The invention relates to a toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a toothbrush is known from DE-PS 524 484.

This toothbrush is hardly suitable as a travel toothbrush because the dosing screw protrudes far beyond the toothbrush housing and can easily break off. The dosing screw doubles the length of the toothbrush. Furthermore, there is the disadvantage that the crushing roller provided there is hindered in its rolling movement, because on the one hand it should roll on the toothpaste tube and on the other hand it abuts the housing on the opposite side.

A shorter travel toothbrush is known from DE OS 43 01 720.

Such travel toothbrush offers the advantage of an integrated design with the inclusion of a required amount of toothpaste in the handle for dental care on the go at all times.

If this toothbrush has also proven its worth, it should not be overlooked that the overall length can also be shortened.

Toothbrushes of this type can only be taken along, especially at the holiday location, if they are not only correspondingly small, but also correspondingly light.

To this end, toothbrushes are known from US Pat. No. 3,734,118 or US Pat. No. 5,382,107 or DE GM 7118432, in which the handle is connected to the brush part via a swivel joint. However, these toothbrushes have the disadvantage of inaccurate dosing and the deposition of toothpaste in the toothpaste container.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a toothbrush with the features mentioned at the outset, which is not only small, light and practical, but whose toothpaste can be driven out practically without deposits in spite of the short overall length with sensitive dosage.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

The advantage of the invention is that there is only a small space requirement for the transport of the toothbrush. This advantage is achieved by the possibility of bringing the handle and handle into a short end position as soon as the toothbrush is not used.

The handle either disappears completely in the handle or the handle is arranged along the handle and fastened there. In this way, the transport length of the toothbrush can be practically halved. Such a toothbrush is therefore significantly less bulky than previously known designs. Such a toothbrush fits easily into a jacket pocket, for example. To use such a toothbrush, it is only necessary to reposition / fold down the handle with respect to the handle into the long end position, and the toothbrush is ready for use.

The combination of these features in connection with a toothpaste container and dosing device integrated in the handle is particularly important because it has been shown that the handle has an ergonomically extremely favorable length / thickness ratio receives. The handle thus offers a secure grip for the user, thus ensuring good and exact guidance of the brush head with a relaxed hand position at the same time.

An essential aspect of the invention is the arrangement of the brush head in front of the toothpaste outlet opening when the handle and handle are fixed in a short end position.

Accordingly, the minimum required total length of the toothbrush according to this invention is hardly more than a hand's width, possibly plus the length of the brush head.

The handle and the handle can either be translationally movable relative to one another or pivotable about a common swivel joint.

In principle, it is possible to form the handle and handle from two independent components. For this purpose, the handle can be placed in a handle pocket of the handle (= short end position) and can be fixed in the long end position in relation to the handle for use via an appropriately adapted insertion opening / insertion pin connection.

In this version, too, the brush head lies in front of the toothpaste outlet opening, for hygienic removal of toothpaste for use.

Arranging the handle and handle so that they can be pivoted relative to one another about a common swivel joint offers the advantage of being secure against loss. If necessary, the swivel joint can be a detachable connection in order to be able to replace the handle and brush head if necessary.

In this case, it makes sense to form the swivel joint around an insertion pin and to connect the insertion pin to the handle in a detachable manner.

Furthermore, the fixation of the handle and handle in the end positions by means of so-called clip connections is advantageous, since this defines a respective end position exactly.

Advantageous refinements result from the subclaims.

In particular, a detachable interchangeable connection between the handle and the toothpaste container should be emphasized, since this creates a reusable interchangeable toothbrush. If necessary, however, the entire handle can also be exchanged together with the metering device and toothpaste container.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments.

Figur 1

eine Zahnbürste nach dieser Erfindung in 3D-Ansicht (kurze Endstellung),

Figur 2a-c

Ausführungsbeispiele für den Zahnpastabehälter,

Figur 3

eine Detailansicht zur Dosiervorrichtung in Seitenansicht und Querschnitt,

Figur 4a-c

auswechselbarer Stiel mit Bürstenkopf.

Show it

Figure 1

a toothbrush according to this invention in 3D view (short end position),

Figure 2a-c

Embodiments for the toothpaste container,

Figure 3

a detailed view of the metering device in side view and cross section,

Figure 4a-c

exchangeable handle with brush head.

Unless otherwise stated below, the following description always applies to all figures.

The figures show a toothbrush 1 with a hollow handle 2. The cavity 3 of the handle serves to hold a toothpaste container 4, consisting of a tube-like body extending in the longitudinal direction of the handle.

The toothpaste container 4 is emptied by means of the metering device 5 in that the metering device 5 can be rolled along the handle 2 over the tube-like toothpaste container 4. A volume of toothpaste corresponding to the feed of the metering device is squeezed out of the toothpaste container 4 and emptied via a toothpaste outlet opening 6 to the bristles 8 located on the brush head 7.

It is now essential that the brush head 7 sits on a handle separate from the handle 2.

As shown in FIG. 4a in particular, the brush head together with the handle 9 and the handle 2 are formed from two mutually independent components.

In the present case, the handle 9 separate from the handle 2 is coupled to the handle 2 via a swivel joint 10. This will be discussed later.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4a-c, handle 2 and handle 9 can be brought relative to one another into a long end position (see FIG. 4b) and into a short end position (see FIG. 4c).

In the long end position according to FIG. 4b, the handle 2 with the extended handle 9 forms an essentially continuous straight connection. The total length of this toothbrush in the long end position is about twice the handle length.

As can be easily imagined, the handle 2 is fixed relative to the handle 9 in the long end position in such a way that it is not possible to stretch the structure shown beyond the 180 degree position. This is done by an associated pair of stops 11 between the handle 2 and handle 9, the consist of two material accumulations touching each other. If necessary, a clip connection 12 which fixes the long end position can additionally be provided between the handle 9 and the handle 2.

By pivoting the handle 9 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4b from the long end position, as shown in FIG. 4c, a compact transportable structure is formed which can be easily accommodated in each pocket.

The total length of this structure is essentially only the length of the handle 2. Handle 9 together with the brush head 7 have completely disappeared within the handle. This results in an overall closed rounded outer contour for the toothbrush in the short end position.

As can furthermore be seen in particular in FIG. 1, the toothpaste outlet opening 6 is formed by a nozzle 13 arranged at the end of the handle. The nozzle 13 is firmly connected to the handle 2. It is a tubular nozzle which is connected to the toothpaste container 4 in the direction of the interior of the handle. The tube cross-section can, as shown, be rectangular, advantageously also round, in particular circular, in order to avoid deposits of toothpaste in dead water zones.

In the short end position according to FIG. 1, the brush head 7 projects beyond the nozzle-side end of the handle 2, so that the brush head 7 or its bristles 8 come to rest below the toothpaste outlet opening 6. This allows the toothpaste to be completely expelled from the toothpaste container because no empty space arises.

When the metering device 5 is actuated, toothpaste emerging from the outlet opening 6 is consequently guided directly to the free ends of the bristles 8 and deposited there.

To achieve this, the height H of the handle 2 is greater than the height h of the brush head by at least the thickness D of the nozzle.

).The geometric dimensions at the nozzle end of the handle thus complement each other ( $\text{H> = h + D}$

).

In addition, FIGS. 2a-c show advantageous developments for a detachable interchangeable connection 14 between handle 2 and toothpaste container 4.

There are various options for this purpose.

Figure 2a shows that the toothpaste container 4 can be connected together with a clip-in mouthpiece 15. The mouthpiece 15 has slide-in strips 16 which engage in corresponding undercuts 17 in the handle 2. In this way, the mouthpiece 15 is firmly fixed in the handle 2 and can nevertheless be movable in the longitudinal direction of the insert strips 16 / undercuts 17 in order to be exchanged.

Figure 2b shows an alternative. Here, the toothpaste container 4 is provided with an extension plate 18 at its head end. The extension plate 18 engages behind corresponding L-shaped grooves in the mouthpiece 15, so that the toothpaste container 4 is fixedly attached to the mouthpiece 15. The provided outlet opening 20 for the toothpaste is closed in a suitable manner with a cover film, which cover film can be easily pierced.

On the other hand, it is also possible to attach an outlet valve at this point, which opens and then closes again to the internal pressure building up inside the toothpaste container 4.

In addition to this, FIG. 2c shows an orifice piece 15 likewise provided with insertion strips 16. However, the orifice piece 15 here has a passage opening 21 through which the nozzle 13 can be inserted. In this case, however, the nozzle 13 is firmly connected to the toothpaste container 4.

FIGS. 2a-c also show that the toothpaste container 4 has a constricted end 22 in the rear region. The constricted end 22 reduces the width B of the toothpaste container 4 to such an extent that the metering device 5 can lie practically without pressure on the rear end of the toothpaste container 4 after the toothpaste container 4 has been inserted into the handle 2.

As can be imagined on the basis of FIG. 4, the metering device 5 rests on the rear end of the toothpaste container 4. The internal pressure of the toothpaste container 4 exerts a pressing force on the metering device 5, which tries to hold the metering device 5 against the squeezing direction. For this purpose, the metering device 5 is designed as a knurled shaft 5 movable within the handle 2. The knurled shaft 5 is guided at the end in longitudinal racks 23 on the handle 2. For this purpose, the knurled shaft 5 has an end toothing 24 which is guided in a positive manner in the toothed racks 23. By driving the knurled shaft 5 with the thumb at the externally accessible location (see FIG. 1), the knurled shaft 5 is consequently guided in a form-fitting manner within the toothed rack 23, while at the same time a rolling movement of the outer contour of the knurled shaft 5 (see handle 25) on the facing top of the toothpaste container 4 takes place.

In this way, self-locking of the knurled shaft 5 against the squeezing direction is ensured in the simplest form. It can be seen that the knurled shaft 5 is engaged on the one hand with the toothing 23/24, while at the same time a frictional force engages in the contact area 26 between knurled shaft 5 and toothpaste container 4. Since the knurled shaft 5 cannot simultaneously rotate about two different and mutually parallel and stationary axes, the knurled shaft 5 is thus fixed in the position reached in each case, so that it is not necessary to squeeze out the already emptied area of the toothpaste container each time the toothbrush is used again 4 needs.

This fixation is consequently brought about and maintained by the internal pressure of the toothpaste container 4 against the corrugation 25 and thus achieved indirectly by pressure against the form-fitting guide 23, 24.

In addition, FIG. 1 shows that the handle 2 is supplemented by a closure cap 27 such that the outer contour of the handle 2 provided with the closure cap 27 becomes a structure that is rounded on all sides. For this purpose, the closure cap 27 has additional features in the present case. Since, as can be seen from FIG. 1, the metering device is a knurled shaft which is longitudinally guided within the handle 2 and which must be accessible from the outside for metering the toothpaste, a longitudinal slot 28 is provided in the handle 2, in which the knurled shaft can be actuated.

To cover this longitudinal slot 28, the closure cap 27 has corresponding longitudinal tabs 29 which can be plugged onto the handle 2 in the longitudinal direction via corresponding undercuts 30, 31.

The undercuts 30, 31 prevent inadvertent loosening of the closure cap 27 from the handle 2.

The undercuts thus offer secure longitudinal guidance, which can be fixed in the end regions, that is to say in the assembled state, by means of assigned clip connections. In the simplest The case is so-called locking lugs 32, which can snap into the associated undercuts 33 of the handle.

The embodiment shown is particularly advantageous because the closure cap 27 has two diametrically opposed longitudinal tabs 29. Consequently, the handle 2 also has corresponding opposing longitudinal slots 28 with corresponding undercuts 30. Consequently, the closure cap 27 can be plugged together with the handle 2 in two possible rotational positions. This combination of features therefore makes handling easier.

About the function:
After opening the toothbrush, ie removing the cap 27, the metering device 5 is freely accessible. The free ends of the bristles 8 open directly in front of the toothpaste outlet opening 6. Correspondingly, a required volume of toothpaste can be squeezed out of the toothpaste container 4 via the knurled shaft 5. The squeezed out volume is placed on the free ends of the bristles 8. By releasing the manual pressure on the metering device 5, self-locking occurs due to the kinematic relationship on the knurled shaft 5. The knurled shaft 5 thus remains in the last set position. At the end of its path, the knurled shaft 5 runs in front of the boundary wall of the toothbrush housing and thereby completely squeezes out the inserted toothpaste container 4 over its entire width.

In the next step, the handle 9 together with the brush head 7 is folded out of the short end position according to FIG. 1 into the long end position according to FIG. 4b. Then the cap 27 can be put back on in order to obtain a rounded handle 2. After the handle 9 is folded out, it snaps into place this in a suitable manner in the long end position with the handle 2 and is fixed as an elongated structure.

The tooth brushing process can begin. A pressure of the brush head against the teeth is intercepted via the stop pair 11, so that the extended end position cannot be overstretched.

At the end of the cleaning process, the toothbrush is cleaned and can then be folded up again. For this purpose, the handle 9 together with the brush head 7 can simply be folded into the recess of the hollow handle 2 in the direction shown in FIG. 4b. The exact fit between the handle and the handle closes the interior of the handle essentially airtight, so that all parts located in the interior of the handle are kept hygienically (see FIG. 4c). For this purpose, even the areas that come into contact between the closure cap 27 and the handle 2 together with the handle with the brush head can be sealed off from one another via corresponding elastic sealing lips.

REFERENCE SIGN LISTING

1

toothbrush

2nd

Handle

3rd

cavity

4th

Toothpaste container

5

Dosing device, knurled shaft

6

Toothpaste outlet opening

7

Brush head

8th

Bristles

9

stalk

10th

Swivel joint

11

Stop pairing

12th

Clip connection

13

jet

14

Exchange connection

15

Mouthpiece

16

Slide-in bar

17th

Undercut

18th

Extension plate

19th

Groove

20th

opening

21

Passage opening

22

constricted end

23

Rack

24th

end toothing

25th

Hand corrugation

26

Touch area

27

Sealing cap

28

Longitudinal slot

29

Longitudinal flag

30th

Undercuts

31

Undercuts

32

Locking lug

33

Undercuts

H

Handle height

D

Nozzle thickness

H

Height of the brush head

B

Width of the toothpaste container

Claims (11)

Toothbrush (1) with a hollow handle (2) for holding a toothpaste container (4), with a squeeze roller that can be moved within the handle via the toothpaste container (4) for emptying it via a toothpaste outlet opening (6) onto the free ends of the brush head (7) bristles (8), the toothpaste outlet opening (6) being a tubular nozzle (13) arranged at the end of the handle, and the brush head (7) being seated on a handle (9) separate from the handle (2) and being movable between two end positions and with the free ends of the bristles in an end position in front of the tubular nozzle (13),
characterized in that 1.1 handle (2) and handle (9) about a common pivot (10) relative to each other between the two end positions are pivotable, and that 1.2 in the folded end position of the brush head (7) projects beyond the handle (2) on the nozzle side, and that 1.3 the pinch roller as a knurled shaft (5) within a longitudinal slot (28) in the handle (2) and can be rolled in a self-locking manner over the toothpaste container (4). Toothbrush according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the handle (2) is supplemented by a closure cap (27) rounding off its outer contour on all sides. Toothbrush according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the sealing cap (27) also covers the longitudinal slot (28) and the knurled shaft (5) by means of the longitudinal tab (29). Toothbrush according to claim 3,
characterized in that
Handle (2) and closure cap (27) can be brought together in at least two predefined relative positions. Toothbrush according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the closure cap has two opposing longitudinal tabs (29) and that the handle (2) has two longitudinal recesses (28) corresponding to and opposing the longitudinal tabs (29). Toothbrush according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the closure cap (27) is longitudinally guided on the handle via assigned undercuts (30, 31) and is fixed to the handle in the assembled state via clip connections (32, 33). Toothbrush according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the closure cap (27) can be pushed over the handle (2) from the brush head side specified with regard to the short end position. Toothbrush according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the knurled shaft (5) is guided in a form-fitting manner in the handle (2) and is held against the positive-locking guide by the internal pressure of the toothpaste container (4), the positive-locking guide acting on the knurled shaft (5) at a different radius from the point of application of the internal pressure. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1-8,
characterized in that
Handle (2) and handle (9) in the end positions are each locked in a snap-in manner by clip connections (12). Toothbrush according to claim 1,
characterized in that
Handle (2) and toothpaste container (4) are provided with a detachable interchangeable connector (14). Toothbrush according to claim 10,
characterized in that
the interchangeable connector (14) is a mouthpiece (15) that can be clipped onto the handle (2).

Images