DE102021108254B4 - Manual toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

Manual toothbrush (1, 1') comprising a toothbrush head (2), a toothbrush neck (3) and a toothbrush handle (4), wherein the toothbrush head (2) has tooth cleaning elements (11), in particular bristles, which protrude from the toothbrush head (2) in a first direction (R1), wherein the toothbrush handle (4) has a first handle element (5) and a second handle element (6) which are spaced apart from one another, wherein the first handle element (5) runs above or below the second handle element (6), in relation to a second direction (R2) parallel to the first direction (R1), and wherein both handle elements (5, 6) open into common connecting regions (7, 8) at both ends, wherein in particular under the action of force (F) on at least one of the handle elements (6) of the toothbrush handle (4), a deformation of this handle element (6) towards the other handle element (5) results, with the formation of a restoring force between the handle elements (5, 6) and under Deflection (A) of the toothbrush head (2), characterized in that a first of the connecting regions (7) forms the toothbrush neck (3) and that the first handle element (5) adjacent to the first connecting region (7) has a first bend (14) in the direction of the second handle element (6) for reinforcing the restoring force and subsequently a second bend (13) which is directed away from the second handle element (6).

Description

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

Toothbrushes with spring elements are well known. A typical example of this is the toothbrush from Dr. Best, in which spring elements are incorporated at various points on the toothbrush neck.

However, these variants are complex to manufacture and are usually material combinations made of several plastics, which poses a problem when it comes to waste separation. In addition, the teeth are used as a counter-bearing for the force. There is also no active movement of the brush towards the tooth due to an activation force in these variants.

Furthermore, the DE 299 13 656 U1 A variant of a toothbrush is known which has two struts converging in the area of the toothbrush neck, which are not arranged one above the other in a direction parallel to the bristles, but are tilted by 90°, i.e. next to each other. This saves material while at the same time stiffening the toothbrush neck. A spring effect is not possible, however.

The EP 1 850 692 B1 discloses a toothbrush neck with a free space between two struts. Although these are arranged one above the other in a parallel direction to the bristles, they have stiffening ribs within the free space between the struts. The stiffening ribs prevent the struts from deforming towards each other.

In the context of the present invention, the deformation of the struts is based on a force that a normally developed person, i.e. a man, a woman or even a child, can typically apply with one hand without excessive exertion. Such a force is preferably a maximum of 10 N or less.

The EN 20 2006 001 055 U1 discloses a mechanism on two opposing curved elements, whereby a restoring force is generated when one of the curved elements is activated. The curved element can move freely on one side and is supported against a stop surface. The problem with this is the complicated manufacturing process, but also the high, punctual force required to deflect the toothbrush head.

The WO 2003/039 816 A1 then discloses a toothbrush which has a plurality of round holes in the handle.

Furthermore, the Swiss design CH142219 which has a banana-shaped free space, which has this configuration purely for design reasons.

The state of the art is then the US 7 039 984 B1 , in which a free space is formed between two handle elements. This free space has a banana shape. One handle element is designed to be more flexible than the second handle element, so that the toothbrush tilts inwards when the handle element is pressed in, so that the bristle head folds away from the object being cleaned when pressure is applied to the handle.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a new variant of a manual toothbrush which can be operated easily and with little effort.

The manual toothbrush according to the invention comprises a toothbrush head, a toothbrush neck and a toothbrush handle, wherein the toothbrush head has tooth cleaning elements, in particular bristles, which protrude from the brush head in a first direction. The tooth cleaning elements can be firmly connected to the toothbrush head, e.g. injected, or can be arranged in a replaceable manner on a carrier plate in a recess.

The toothbrush handle has a first handle element and a second handle element, which extend adjacent to one another and at a distance from one another in the main extension direction. A free space is thus arranged between the handle elements. The handle elements can be designed like leaf springs.

The first handle element is arranged above or below the second handle element, whereby "above" or "below" refers to a second direction parallel to the first direction, i.e. a direction parallel to the bristles. Alternatively or in addition to the bristles, rubber knobs, friction elements and the like can also be provided as tooth cleaning elements. However, bristles are preferred over other tooth cleaning elements due to their excellent cleaning properties.

Both handle elements end in connecting areas on both sides, in which they are preferably joined together to form a material-locking unit.

Particularly preferably, when force is applied to at least one of the handle elements of the toothbrush handle, this handle element can deform to the other handle element, which can lead to the formation of a restoring force between the handle elements and can result in a deflection of the toothbrush head.

The second handle element can preferably be longer in the main direction of extension of the toothbrush than the first handle element, so that when this handle element is deformed under the influence of force, a material pressure or a material pull preferably occurs on the second handle element, which reacts with an evasive movement and builds up a restoring force. This can achieve a spring effect. The evasive movement can deflect the toothbrush head in the direction of the bristles or in the opposite direction and thus press it more firmly against the tooth for more effective cleaning.

The first of the connecting areas forms the toothbrush neck.

According to the invention, the first handle element has a first bend in the direction of the second handle element adjacent to the first connection region for reinforcing the restoring force and then a second bend which is directed away from the second handle element.

Alternatively or in addition to the function described above, within the scope of the present invention, suspension can also be achieved by bending or springing the handle elements in the same direction when a stronger force is applied, so that an evasive movement results under excessive pressure on the tooth and gums. Suspension by means of handle elements is not known from the prior art to date.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

The handle elements can be designed as curved leaf springs in order to build up a corresponding restoring force. The leaf springs are preferably made of plastic.

The handle elements each have at least one bend, with the bends directed away from each other so that a correspondingly improved deflection is achieved.

The handle elements can be connected to one another in a one-piece, in particular monolithic manner, which is advantageous for manufacturing purposes. Particularly preferably, at least the toothbrush handle and the toothbrush neck, preferably also the toothbrush head, apart from the bristles, are formed in one piece and in particular monolithic.

The manual toothbrush is advantageously designed as a plastic injection-molded part, apart from the tooth cleaning elements.

The gripping elements are preferably designed such that they can be moved towards one another by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, under a force of 10 N. The gripping elements can have a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably between 1-2 mm, with a width for supporting the hand or a thumb of at least 12 mm, preferably between 15-25 mm.

The toothbrush neck has a thickness in the first direction of more than 3.5 mm, preferably between 4-5 mm.

The distance between the handle elements in the unloaded state can be more than 5 mm, preferably more than 10 mm, particularly preferably 10-15 mm.

At least the toothbrush handle can be made of one or more biodegradable plastics and/or renewable plastics. Biodegradable plastics have particular advantages when it comes to recycling, while plastics made from renewable raw materials give the manual toothbrush a better ecological footprint. Of course, both plastic categories can also be combined with each other, so there are plastics that fall into both classes.

Plastics from the class of polycaplocatone, polyvinyl alcohol and/or polyester are suitable for use.

Examples of plastics that are biodegradable and at the same time made from renewable raw materials include starch blends, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactides and regenerated cellulose.

Examples of plastics made from renewable raw materials, which are, however, difficult to degrade, are bio-PE, bio-PA, bio-PUR, bio-PP, bio-PVC, as well as cellulose acetate or rubber.

The distance between the terminal connection areas can advantageously be at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, of the total length of the manual toothbrush. In the area defined by the distance, the handle elements are spaced apart from one another and define a free space. In In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the free space extends without interruptions, e.g. by stiffening ribs or the like, from the first connection region to the second connection region.

To extend the functionality of the manual toothbrush, it has a receptacle for an interdental brush in the second terminal connection area. This can be a hole in the connection area into which the base of an interdental brush can be inserted.

The manual toothbrush can have, in the plan view from the second direction, i.e. parallel to the bristle direction, a widening of the toothbrush handle relative to the toothbrush neck by at least 300%, preferably at least 350%, so that a wide support surface is provided, e.g. for a thumb.

The tooth cleaning elements, in particular the bristles, can be arranged on a plate-shaped carrier, which is arranged in a receptacle of the toothbrush head so that it can be replaced. This is known from the prior art. The bristles and/or the plate-shaped carrier can be made of a natural material, preferably of plant and/or animal origin. Examples of the bristles are, for example, animal hair bristles, e.g. pig bristles. Examples of a carrier material are, for example, wood or wood composite material, e.g. with PLA (polylactic acid or the like). The manual toothbrush can therefore be used for longer than the replaceable tooth cleaning elements. There are no mixtures of materials, so that the individual elements can be recycled separately and become particularly environmentally friendly.

• 1 Perspektivansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsvariante einer Handzahnbürste;
• 2 Draufsicht auf die Handzahnbürste der 1; und
• 3 Seitenansicht auf die Handzahnbürste der 1 und 2.

The invention is explained in more detail below using two embodiments. They show:

• 1 Perspective view of an embodiment of a manual toothbrush according to the invention;
• 2 Top view of the manual toothbrush of the 1 ; and
• 3 Side view of the manual toothbrush of the 1 and 2 .

1-3 shows a first embodiment of a manual toothbrush 1 according to the invention, hereinafter also referred to as a spring toothbrush. This has a toothbrush head 2, a tapered toothbrush neck 3 and a toothbrush handle 4. The toothbrush head 2 has tooth cleaning elements 11, specifically bristles, which protrude in a bristle direction R1 from a carrier segment of the toothbrush head 2.

A special feature of the manual toothbrush 1 is the toothbrush handle 4. This is divided in the middle and has two individual handle elements 5 and 6 that are spaced apart from each other. The handle elements 5 and 6 are of different lengths in their longitudinal extension and each end in a connecting area 7 and 8 in which they are firmly connected to each other.

The first connection area 7 forms the toothbrush neck 3 and the second connection area is the end section of the manual toothbrush and has a receptacle 9 for an interdental brush. A free space 10 is arranged between the handle elements 5 and 6, wherein the handle elements 5 and 6 are arranged in a second direction R2 parallel to the first direction R1, one above the other and preferably in alignment with one another.

The maximum width 20 of the toothbrush handle 4 is preferably more than 15 mm so that a sufficiently large thumb rest is provided for optimal power transmission.

The handle element 6 has a first bend 12 away from the handle element 5. The handle element 5 initially has a first bend 14 towards the handle element 6 starting from the toothbrush neck 7 and then a second bend 13 away from the handle element 6.

The distance 15 between the handle elements 5 and 6 is between 10-15 mm in the illustrated embodiment.

This distance 15 is reduced under the action of force F with deformation of the handle elements 5 and 6, whereby due to the different lengths of the handle elements a force diversion by tensile and compressive forces results, which leads to a deflection in direction A of the brush head 2.

The longitudinal extent 16 of the free space 10 is at least 40%, preferably 50%, and particularly preferably between 55-80% of the total length 17 of the manual toothbrush 1. This can be between 17-22 cm.

The construction saves material, as the handle elements, which are designed as leaf springs, can be made very thin, e.g. 1-2 mm thick. The thickness is in 3 marked with reference numeral 19. The thickness 18 of the connecting region 7, however, is preferably more than 3 mm.

Apart from the bristles 11, the manual toothbrush is monolithically constructed and thus made from a single material. The pressure on the tooth surface or gums is reduced by the handle elements and their springs and can still be adjusted manually. The deflection A of the brush head 2 when the handle elements 5 and 6 are fully pressed and deformed by approx. 15 mm can be approx. 12 mm. The wide handle 4 means that the spring brush fits well and comfortably in the hand.

At the same time, the hand brush 1 provides a pleasant haptic feeling and conveys a visually appealing overall impression.

The spring toothbrush can be used in all ways, i.e. with a replaceable brush head, a double-sided brush head, but also as a holder for interdental brushes. Furthermore, the free space 10 between the handle elements 5 and 6 allows space to hang up the hand brush.

The manual toothbrush 1 with spring function can be lightweight and is particularly resistant to dentifrices, mouthwashes and/or saliva.

Standard polymers such as polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers, or TPE for short, are therefore preferred as materials. There are various subtypes of TPE. In this case, TPE-E, or thermoplastic polyester elastomers, are preferred.

The material should also have FDA approval and possibly even drinking water approval. Polypropylene and TPE-E also meet these requirements. In the USA, TPE-E elastomers are approved for use in contact with dry foods (FDA) and for packaging meat and poultry (VSDA) and drinking water facilities (NSF). In Germany, for example, "Hytrel" is used in the production and distribution of beer.

Furthermore, an ecological variant can also be used as a material for the manual toothbrush 1. So-called biodegradable polymers. Another particularly preferred variant in the ecological area is polylactide (PLA), also known as polylactic acid. This is a polyester and is made up of many chemically bonded lactic acid molecules.

As from 3 As can be seen, the two handle elements 5 and 6 have the same thickness.

The free space between the handle elements 5 and 6 is tapered towards the connecting areas 7 and 8, as can also be seen from 3 is recognizable.

The free space between the handle elements also has at least one longitudinal extension that extends over more than half the total length of the toothbrush.

As from 3 As can be seen, the toothbrush neck 3 from the point where the handle elements 5 and 6 join to the toothbrush head 2 is twice as thick as the handle elements 5 and 6.

The free space then has, according to the side view 3 a significantly longer extension in the longitudinal direction of the manual toothbrush than in the direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction in the side view.

Reference symbols

1

Manual toothbrush

2

Toothbrush head

3

Toothbrush neck

4

Toothbrush handle

5

Handle element

6

Handle element

7

Connection area

8th

Connection area

9

Recording

10

free space

11

Tooth cleaning elements

12

Bending

13

Bending

14

Bending

15

Distance

16

Longitudinal extension

17

overall length

18

Thickness (toothbrush neck

19

Thickness (handle element)

20

Width

R1

first direction or bristle direction

R2

second direction parallel to the bristle direction

F

Force effect

A

Deflection

Claims (17)

Manual toothbrush (1, 1') comprising a toothbrush head (2), a toothbrush neck (3) and a toothbrush handle (4), wherein the toothbrush head (2) has tooth cleaning elements (11), in particular bristles, which protrude from the toothbrush head (2) in a first direction (R1), wherein the toothbrush handle (4) has a first handle element (5) and a second handle element (6) which are spaced apart from one another, wherein the first handle element (5) runs above or below the second handle element (6), with respect to a second direction (R2) parallel to the first direction (R1), and wherein both handle elements (5, 6) open into common connecting regions (7, 8) at both ends, wherein in particular under the action of force (F) on at least one of the handle elements (6) of the toothbrush handle (4), a deformation of this handle element (6) towards the other handle element (5) results, with the formation of a restoring force between the handle elements (5, 6) and with deflection (A) of the toothbrush head (2), characterized in that a first of the connecting regions (7) forms the toothbrush neck (3) and that the first handle element (5) adjacent to the first connecting region (7) has a first bend (14) in the direction of the second handle element (6) for reinforcing the restoring force and subsequently a second bend (13) which is directed away from the second handle element (6). Manual toothbrush after Claim 1 , characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) are designed as curved leaf springs. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the second handle element (6) is longer in the main extension direction of the toothbrush than the first handle element (5). Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) each have at least one bend (12, 13), wherein the bends (12, 13) are directed away from each other. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) are connected to one another in one piece, in particular monolithically. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the toothbrush handle (4) and the toothbrush neck (3), preferably also the toothbrush head (2), are formed in one piece. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual toothbrush (1, 1'), apart from the tooth cleaning elements (11), is designed as a plastic injection-molded part. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) can be moved towards one another by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, under a force of 10 N. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the toothbrush handle (4) consists of one or more biodegradable plastics and/or renewable plastics. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum distance between the handle elements (5, 6) in or against the second direction (R2) is at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (16) of the terminal connecting regions (7, 8) is at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, of the total length (17) of the manual toothbrush (1, 1'). Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a receptacle (9) for an interdental brush is arranged in the second terminal connecting region (8). Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual toothbrush (1, 1') in the plan view from the second direction (R2) has a widening of the toothbrush handle (4) relative to the toothbrush neck (3) by at least 300%, preferably at least 350%. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tooth cleaning elements (11), in particular the bristles, are arranged on a plate-shaped carrier which is arranged replaceably in a receptacle of the toothbrush head (2), wherein the bristles and/or the plate-shaped carrier are made of a natural material, preferably of plant and/or animal origin. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a free space (10) is arranged between the handle elements (5, 6), which extends uninterruptedly from the first connecting region (7) to the second connecting region (8). Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two handle elements (5, 6) have the same thickness (19). Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toothbrush neck (3) is twice as thick as the handle elements (5, 6) from the point where the handle elements (5, 6) come together to the toothbrush head (2).

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