AU2002228246B2 - Toothbrushes - Google Patents

Description

1^ 8 TOOTHBRUSHES O Background 00 This invention relates to toothbrushes and in particular toothbrushes for use in oral hygiene systems suited for use by bedridden users. The invention is an improvement in, or modification IN of, the invention described and claimed in Australian Patent Specification No. 728505.

00 Conventionally, water is applied to the bristled head of a toothbrush to assist the cleaning action ofa dentifrice applied to its bristles, and following brushing, it is usual to rinse the mouth. To the able bodied or to those able to sit upright without undue difficulty, cleaning the teeth is not C|l particularly troublesome.

However, when it is the case of a bedridden patient, not able to sit upright, or only able to sit upright with considerable difficulty and discomfort, cleaning the teeth is particularly troublesome, and especially rinsing the mouth, as neither the application of fluid to assist the action of the dentifrice nor subsequent rinsing of the mouth can be effected in conventional manner with the patient in the prone position.

It is known from such as U. S. Patent No. 4,672,953 to provide a toothbrush with first and second passageway means through the handle for the supply of fluid to the bristles of the brush and its removal from the patient's mouth by suction, in an attempt to overcome the difficulties mentioned above in relation to patients who must, of necessity, remain in a prone position.

However, such a construction still leaves room for improvement in the sense that with prone patients it can frequently occur that the patient's mouth inadvertently closes on to the toothbrush during use causing an undesired build-up of vacuum during removal of spent fluid. This problem is attended to in European Patent Number 0557337B where a toothbrush construction is provided that ensures that in the circumstance when a patient's mouth does inadvertently close on to the toothbrush there is the substantial guarantee that a vacuum buildup in the mouth is prevented.

WO 02/063994 PCT/GB02/00570 2 Object and Summary The object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush construction of simpler and less expensive construction but with the same time a significantly improved ability to provide and remove fluid and prevent a vacuum build-up.

According to the present invention, a toothbrush comprises a handle with a head portion at one end, a recess in the head, a bristle pack located in the recess with the bristles attached by one end to the base of the recess, the recess opening being bounded by inwardly directed shoulders, and the outer extremities of the bristles lying in abutting relationship with the inner faces of the shoulders, and there being a fluid supply line provided along or through the handle and communicating with the recess. Preferably, the bristle pack is formed by a number of clusters of bristles, it being the outermost clusters that are in close abutting relationship with the edges of the shoulders of the recess, and adjacent clusters at least at the edges of the pack being in close but spaced relationship.

Thus, and in use, water or cleansing agent can be supplied to the bristle pack to emerge from the bristle pack during teeth cleaning, and simultaneously, the connection of the vacuum line to a source of reduced pressure or a vacuum pump causes the extraction of water or cleansing fluid from the mouth.

Most desirably, the bristle pack is dimensioned such that it locates in the recess in the bristle head with clearance on all four sides, the outer bristles or bristle clusters extending vertically from the base of the recess in alignment with the edges of the flanges at the edges of the recess to ensure that vacuum is provided around the whole of the bristle pack.

By having the bristles or bristle clusters at the edge of the bristle pack in abutting engagement with the faces of the shoulders at the edges of the recess, there is a major concentration of vacuum created around the base of the bristles between adjacent bristles or bristle O clusters not only at the edges of the bristle pack, but also over the whole of its area, maximizing ,1 the extraction of fluid from the mouth of the user.

0 Able-bodied users can deal adequately with fluid in the mouth should it be that removal of fluid 00 is not at the same rate as the supply of water or cleansing fluid. However, with users who must remain prone, are ill or semi-conscious, it is essential that control of water or cleansing fluid supply to the mouth is balanced with the rate of extraction, to ensure that the mouth of the user O0 does not fill with fluid.

C Equally, it is important that if such users close their mouth around the toothbrush, an excess 0 vacuum does not build up in the mouth. It is therefore desirable that there is an air vent means located on the handle and extending along the handle form a position in close proximity to the bristles, the air vent means having an inlet to longitudinal spaced relationship along the length of the handle to prevent the inlet being closed by the lips of the user.

The vent may be a tube-like member located on the handle, but preferably the vent is formed by at least one and preferably two diametrically opposed passageways within the confines of the handle. with longitudinally spaced access holes through the outer wall of the passageway.

To enable the toothbrush of the invention to be used in conjunction with a machine such as is disclosed in European Patent Number 0557337B. the end of the handle remote form the bristle head may be fashioned as a plug-like connector, the machine being provided with a mating plug-like connector such that the first chamber can be connected to a source of vacuum, to a fluid pump on the machine, by one simple act. It enables a brush to be dedicated to a particular use in the circumstances where it is the machine of European Patent Number 0557337B, and in use as in such as a hospital.

A definition of the specific embodiment of the invention claimed herein follows.

In a broad format, the invention provides a toothbrush comprising a handle with a head portion, a recess in the head portion of the handle, a bristle pack located in the recess with bristles attached by one end to a base of the recess, an opening of the recess being bounded by inwardly directed shoulders of a rim, outer extremities of the bristles lying in abutting relationship with inner faces of the shoulders of the rim, air vent means located on the handle and extending along the handle from a position in close proximity to the bristles to a position where it cannot be fouled by the mouth of the user, there being a fluid supply line provided along or through the handle and communicating with the recess, and there being a vacuum line provided along or through the handle connectable to a source of vacuum, and communicating with the recess.

Brief Description of the Drawings The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which: FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a toothbrush which is in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is an end view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURES 1 and 2; FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 2; FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional taken along line 9-9 of FIGURE 2; view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, view of the toothbrush shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of a bottom portion of the toothbrush shown in FIGURE 1 FIGURE 11 is a side elevational view of a toothbrush which is similar to that which is shown in FIGURE 1, but where the toothbrush has a bend; FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a toothbrush which is in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view of a toothbrush which is in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention; O FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view of the head of a toothbrush which is in accordance N with still yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein bristles are attached directly o to a base: and 00 FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of an end of a toothbrush which is in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein there are a plurality of ribs on IND the surface of the toothbrush to prevent a build up of vacuum.

00 0", 0", WO 02/063994 PCT/GB02/00570 6 Description While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered in exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

Shown in the drawings are several toothbrushes which are in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIGURES 1 and 2 show a toothbrush which is in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 11 shows a toothbrush 10b which is in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 12 shows a toothbrush 10d which is in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 13 shows the cross-sectional profile of a toothbrush 10e which is in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view of the head of a toothbrush 10Of which is in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of an end of a toothbrush 10g which is in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Each of the toothbrushes 1 Oa- I Og provide fluid supply, suction for removing the fluid from a user's mouth, and vent means for preventing an excess vacuum from building up in the mouth. Additionally, each of the toothbrushes 10 a- 10Og have a relatively simple and inexpensive construction.

The toothbrush I Oa shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 will first be described in detail, and then the other toothbrushes 10b-0I Og will be described with emphasis on the differences. With regard to the toothbrush 10a shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, FIGURE 3 shows an end view thereof, and FIGURES 4-9 show various cross-sectional views taken along corresponding lines of FIGURE 2 FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIGURE 2, etc.).

WO 02/063994 PCT/GB02/00570 7 The toothbrush 10a shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 has a first chamber in the form of a hollow handle 20 to provide a passageway 22 (see FIGURES 5-10) for vacuum, there being a connection 24 to the passageway 22, which allows connection of the passageway 22 to a source of vacuum.

Extending through the handle 20 is a fluid supply line 26, there being a connection 28 to the fluid supply line 26, which allows connection of the fluid supply line 26 to an appropriate source of fluid to be delivered to the mouth of a patient.

At the closed end of the handle is a bristle head 30 in which are located packed bristles 32, the supply line 26 for fluid emerging directly in the center of the packed bristles 32. The bristles 32 are surrounded by an area or opening 34 that can be a series of slots or can be a surface through which are provided a series of holes whereby to communicate the area immediately around the bristles 32 with the interior of the bristle head 30 and hence to the vacuum passageway 22.

As shown in FIGURE 2, on the surface of the handle 20, to the side from which the bristles 32 emerge, is a longitudinal groove 40. As will be described later herein, the longitudinal groove functions as a vent to prevent build up of vacuum in the mouth of a user if the user closes his or her mouth onto the toothbrush 10 Oa.

As shown in FIGURES 4-9, the toothbrush 10a includes a lower portion 42 and an upper portion 44 which is attached, such as via welding, an adhesive, etc.) to the lower portion 42. As shown in FIGURES 4-9, the lower portion 42 and upper portion 44 mate to form the passageways 22 and 24 for vacuum and fluid, respectively. FIGURE 10 shows the lower portion 42 removed from the upper portion 44. As shown in FIGURE 10, the lower portion 42 provides the connections 24 and 28 to vacuum and fluid, respectively. As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the upper portion 44 includes a pad 50 through which the fluid line 26 emerges. The bristles 32 are attached directly to the top surface of the pad 50. Alternatively, as shown in FIGURE 18, the bristles 32 may be attached directly to a surface of the lower portion 42.

WO 02/063994 PCT/GB02/00570 As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, a rim 52 is fitted to the pad 50. Specifically, a ridge 54 of the rim 52 is fitted under a lip 56 on the pad 50. The rim 52 includes upper interned edges or shoulders 60 which contact the outermost bristles. The rim 52 creates a recess 62 from which the bristles 32 emerge. The contact between the outermost bristles and the upper interned edges 60 of the rim 52 provides for enhanced concentration of vacuum withdrawal of spent fluid and debris through the bristles 32. Additionally, the openings 34 into the vacuum passageway 22 (see FIGURE is within the area recess 62) defined by the rim 52.

As shown in FIGURES 2, 8 and 9, the toothbrush 10a, and specifically the upper portion 44 thereof, provides structure for receiving a placard 70 for identifying, for example, a patient. The structure may include inwardly extending flanges 72 which define a channel 74 for receiving the placard 70 (the placard 70 is not shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, but is shown in FIGURE 2).

In use, and with connection 24 attached to a source of vacuum and connection 26 attached to a source of fluid, the toothbrush 10a can be placed within the mouth of a patient to brush the patients, teeth, the simultaneous application of an appropriate fluid and its removal is to the considerable advantage of particularly a prone or comatose patient in allowing a proper cleansing of the teeth without the patient choking or there being spillage of fluid from the patient's mouth.

In a circumstance where the patient's mouth inadvertently closes onto the toothbrush O10a, the length of groove 40 is such that the patient's mouth cannot close beyond its end, and consequently at least a portion of the groove 40 remains exposed to allow air to be drawn into the patient's mouth and hence prevent vacuum applied through the bristle head 30 to cause an unwanted build up of vacuum in the mouth of the patient.

The toothbrush 1 Ob shown in FIGURE 11 is very much like the toothbrush 1 Oa shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 (and FIGURES 3-10), and includes bristles 32, rim 52 and a handle 20b. The toothbrush 10b differs from toothbrush 10a in that toothbrush 10Ob includes a bend, i.e. handle WO 02/063994 PCT/GB02/00570 9 is angled. This provides that the toothbrush 10b can be placed on a surface with the head held clear of the surface.

The toothbrush 10d shown in FIGURE 12 is very much like toothbrushlOa, and is very much like toothbrush 10b in that toothbrush 10d includes a bend. However, toothbrush 10d is different in that, in place of the longitudinal groove 40, a slot 90 is provided through the thickness of the handle to provide venting means. Additionally, the toothbrush 10d provides that the gripping portion 92 is generally oval which provides enhanced grip.

FIGURE 13 shows a cross-sectional profile of a toothbrush 10e which is very much like any of the toothbrushes 10 a-10 Od already described, expect that toothbrush 10 Oe includes rubber grip portions 98.

The toothbrush 10f shown in FIGURE 14 is very much like the toothbrush 10a shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 (and FIGURES 3-10), and includes bristles 32 and a rim 100. However, unlike toothbrush 10a, toothbrush 10f provides that the bristles 32 are attached directly to the lower portion 42, as opposed to being attached to a pad.

The toothbrush 10 Og shown in FIGURE 15 is very much like the toothbrush 10a shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 (and FIGURES 3-10), but instead of including a single longitudinal groove for venting, the toothbrush 10 Og includes three small ribs 102 on the top surface to prevent a build up of vacuum in a user's mouth.

With regard to use, use of toothbrushes 10b-10g is very much the same as to toothbrush 1Oa.

While embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may device various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

9a 1- The term "comprise" and variants of the term such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other O integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the 00 term is required.

11D Any reference to publications cited in this specification is not an admission that the disclosures 0 0 constitute common general knowledge in Australia..

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Claims (4)

1. 2. A toothbrush as in Claim 1, wherein the air vent means is formed by at least one longitudinal groove on the handle, one end of which is in close proximity to the bristles and the other end of which is sufficiently distanced therefrom to ensure that it cannot be fouled by the mouth. A toothbrush as in Claim 1, wherein the air vent means comprises a slot through a thickness of the handle.
2. 4. A toothbrush as in Claim 1, wherein the air vent means comprises a plurality of ribs on a surface of the toothbrush. A toothbrush as in Claim 1, wherein the handle includes a bend.
3. 6. A toothbrush as in Claim 1, wherein the toothbrush includes structure configured to receive a placard.
4. 7. A toothbrush as in Claim 6, wherein the structure configured to receive a placard comprises flanges which define a channel. 11 0 8. A toothbrush as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to at Sleast one of the accompanying figures. Date: 8 October 2007 00 O 00 t(- 00-