EP0926966A2 - Toothbrush with handle comprising means for vertical storage - Google Patents

Toothbrush with handle comprising means for vertical storage

Info

Publication number
EP0926966A2
EP0926966A2 EP98917251A EP98917251A EP0926966A2 EP 0926966 A2 EP0926966 A2 EP 0926966A2 EP 98917251 A EP98917251 A EP 98917251A EP 98917251 A EP98917251 A EP 98917251A EP 0926966 A2 EP0926966 A2 EP 0926966A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
branches
handle
toothbrush
brush
head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98917251A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0926966B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Michel Cornu
Véronique MALCOURANT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sanofi Aventis France
Original Assignee
Synthelabo SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Synthelabo SA filed Critical Synthelabo SA
Publication of EP0926966A2 publication Critical patent/EP0926966A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0926966B1 publication Critical patent/EP0926966B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a toothbrush.
  • the invention aims to improve the hygiene and ease of use of a toothbrush comprising a stacked head and a handle.
  • the best position for the brush is a vertical holding thereof, the head being placed upwards.
  • This arrangement also allows the flow of water from the stacked part downwards and therefore quick drying of the hairs.
  • it is already known to use a certain number of solutions comprising a support the simplest being to deposit the brush in a toothed glass.
  • this system has the drawback of retaining the water flowing from the stacked part of the brush and of risking causing the maceration of the flow water in the bottom of the glass.
  • the present invention provides a toothbrush of the type comprising a stacked head and a handle comprising means for holding the brush in a vertical storage position, characterized in that the handle of the brush is divided longitudinally from its upper part into at least two branches articulated between an open storage position in which the free ends of the branches, separated from one another, form the support points of the brush on a horizontal surface, and a closed position in which the branches are grouped for the use of the toothbrush.
  • the brush comprises means for holding the branches in the closed position; ->
  • the means for holding the branches of the brush in the closed position are constituted by a ring sliding longitudinally along the handle and whose internal profile is complementary to the external profile of the handle in the closed position of the branches;
  • the handle is divided into three branches distributed angularly in a regular manner around the longitudinal axis of the handle;
  • the handle is made in a single piece of plastics material that splits a long length in at least two branches;
  • the toothbrush is made in a single molded part comprising the handle and the head;
  • each branch is constituted by a thinning located at the upper end of the branch;
  • the thinning is located on the internal face of the branch, thus delimiting, in the grouped position of the branches, an internal recess in the handle;
  • One of the slots between two adjacent branches is perpendicular to an inal longitudinal plane parallel to the head of the brush and is located on the same side as the stacked face of the head.
  • FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the brush in the open position of the branches;
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of the brush maintained in the closed position of the branches;
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1 of one of the arms of the handle;
  • - Figure 4 is a radial section along line 4-4 of Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 is a radial section along line 5-5 of Figure 2. There is shown in Figures 1 to 5 a toothbrush
  • the handle 14 of the toothbrush 1 0 is divided, from its upper part, into three branches 16, 1 8 and 20, which are articulated between an open position, illustrated in fig u re 1, and a closed position , shown in Figure 2.
  • the branches 16, 18 and 20 of the handle 14 are spaced radially from each other and their respective feet 22, 24 and 26 form the support points of the brush in vertical position on any horizontal surface. This configuration allows the brush to be stored in vertical orientation on any surface and without accessories or additional support, the handle constituting a support tripod.
  • the branches 16, 1 8 and 20 can be combined to form a block similar to the traditional handle of a toothbrush, here having a profile of revolution, and this meets d 'an elastic force which recalls the branches 16, 1 8 and 20 towards their open position.
  • the natural state of rest of the branches 16, 18 and 20 of the brush 10 is the open position, in which the branches 16, 18 and 20 are separated from each other.
  • the branches 16, 18 and 20 are resiliently returned to their position open, that is to say the branches spaced from each other to allow storage of the brush.
  • the branches 16, 18 and 20 are maintained in the closed position.
  • the means for holding the branches 16, 18 and 20 in the closed position consist of a ring 28 which slides longitudinally along the upper part of the handle 14 and whose shape is substantially complementary to that of the handle 14 in the area in which the three branches 16, 1 8, 20 come together to form the handle 14.
  • the ring 28 has the advantages of being compact, of being easily put in place by the stacked upper end 12 of the brush 1 0, and of being able to slide easily along the handle 14, thus allowing the user to slide it along the handle with one hand.
  • the ring 28 is retained upwards by the bristles of the head 12 of the brush 10 and below by the largest diameter of the handle 14, slightly greater than the internal diameter of the ring 28, when the branches 16 , 18, and 20 are grouped together in the closed position.
  • the handle 14 is divided into three branches 16, 1 8 and 20 distributed angularly in a regular manner around the long itudinal axis.
  • the three branches 16, 18 and 20, thus distributed at angles of approximately 120 °, are oriented so that one of the slots between two faces of adjacent branches is located in a plane perpendicular to the plane defined by the head of the brush, and located relative to the longitudinal axis in the same direction as the bristles of the head 12 of the brush.
  • each of the branches 16, 18 or 20, of substantially triangular section is delimited by an external part in an arc of a circle 30 and by two internal flat faces 32 and 34 of radial orientation and arranged at 120 °.
  • the face 32 of each branch bears on the face 34 of the adjacent branch.
  • the body of the brush 1 0 is made in one piece, for example in a molded piece of plastic material, comprising both the head 12 and the handle 14 of the brush 10, the handle 14 itself being divided into three branches 16, 18 and 20 by molding.
  • the mou lage of the brush 1 0, carried out in the open position of the branches, makes it possible to produce the articulations of the branches 1 6, 1 8 and 20.
  • Each of the articulations is for this purpose constituted by a thinning of the branch corresponding to its upper end 36 as can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3.
  • This thinned portion is more specifically delimited by a facet 38 inclined with respect to and from the longitudinal axis of the brush 10.
  • This facet 38 is biased upwards and from the inside to the outside, thus cutting the two internal flat faces 32 and 34 at an angle.
  • This internal facet 38 extends to a certain depth in the branch, without going to the periphery, and itself comprises a groove 40 of generally elongated shape.
  • the handle 14 of the brush 1 0 When the branches 16, 18 and 20 of the handle 14 of the brush 1 0 are grouped together for the use of the brush 1 0, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper part 36, corresponding to the area of the facet 38 and the rain ure 40, is stressed in bending, against the natural elasticity of the molding material, to allow the three branches to be grouped together. As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 5, in the grouped position, the handle has in its central part a recess 42 which corresponds to the zones defined by the facets 38 of the different branches.
  • the toothbrush thus defined therefore has the advantages of providing an easy storage solution for the brush forming a tripod on any generally horizontal surface without additional accessories, and of being simple to use when the handle is in the closed position.
  • the transition from the closed position to the open position is easily carried out by an inal longitudinal movement of the ring 28 upwards.
  • This ring 28 remains held between the head 12 of the brush 1 0 whose bristles have a long enough to retain the ring, and the part of the handle from which the diameter of the ring is too small compared to that of the branches grouped together so that they can slide down the handle down.
  • the handle 14 of the toothbrush 10 may have only two branches bearing on surfaces or edges located at the base of each branch, or may include four or more branches.
  • the brush 1 0 may comprise different means for holding the brush in different closed position.
  • the sliding ring can be replaced by a ring of internal threaded shape which cooperates with an external thread of the handle 14 of the brush, or it can be controlled by a cursor located on the handle 14, which slides longitudinally along it under a stress on the thumb of the user, to allow passage from one position to another.
  • the handle 14 of the brush may have one or more bosses, or a groove, in order to prevent the ring from being able to move longitudinally too far towards the lower end of the brush beyond from its locked position of the branches in the closed position.

Abstract

The invention concerns a toothbrush (10) with bristles (12) at the top and a handle (14) including a structure for maintaining the brush in a vertical storage position, characterized in that the brush handle (14) is longitudinally divided in its upper part into at least two branches (16,18,20) articulated between an open position for storage wherein the free ends (22,24,26) of the branches (16,18,20), mutually spaced, form support points for the brush (10) on a horizontal surface, and a closed position wherein the branches are brought together for the toothbrush (10) to be used.

Description

"Brosse à dents dont le manche comporte des moyens pour son rangement en position verticale" "Toothbrush whose handle has means for its storage in an upright position"
La présente invention concerne une brosse à dents. L'invention vise à améliorer l'hyg iène et la facilité d'utilisation d'une brosse à dents comportant une tête empoilée et un manche.The present invention relates to a toothbrush. The invention aims to improve the hygiene and ease of use of a toothbrush comprising a stacked head and a handle.
Pour une hygiène optimale de la brosse et en particulier de la partie empoilée de la tête, il faut généralement éviter que, lorsque la brosse à dents est rangée, la partie empoilée soit en contact avec une surface quelconque. A cet effet, la meilleure position pour la brosse est une tenue verticale de celle-ci, la tête étant placée vers le haut. Cette d isposition permet de plus l'écoulement de l'eau de la partie empoilée vers le bas et donc un séchage rapide des poils. Dans ce but, il est déjà connu d'utiliser un certain nombre de solutions comportant un support, la plus simple étant de déposer la brosse dans un verre à dents. Cependant, ce système présente l'inconvénient de retenir l'eau s'écoulant de la partie empoilée de la brosse et de risquer de provoquer la macération de l'eau d'écoulement dans le fond du verre.For optimal hygiene of the brush and in particular of the stacked part of the head, it is generally necessary to avoid that, when the toothbrush is stored, the stacked part is in contact with any surface. For this purpose, the best position for the brush is a vertical holding thereof, the head being placed upwards. This arrangement also allows the flow of water from the stacked part downwards and therefore quick drying of the hairs. For this purpose, it is already known to use a certain number of solutions comprising a support, the simplest being to deposit the brush in a toothed glass. However, this system has the drawback of retaining the water flowing from the stacked part of the brush and of risking causing the maceration of the flow water in the bottom of the glass.
D'autres solutions existent, consistant en un support posé sur une surface quelconque et sur lequel on vient poser la partie basse du manche de la brosse, laissant ainsi la tête de la brosse à l'air libre et permettant à l'eau de s'écouler. Cependant, ces systèmes ont pour inconvénients d'être encombrants, peu pratiques et de risq uer de devenir inutilisables en cas de perte du support.Other solutions exist, consisting of a support placed on any surface and on which the lower part of the handle of the brush is placed, thus leaving the head of the brush in the open air and allowing the water to s 'flow out. However, these systems have the drawbacks of being bulky, impractical and of risking to become unusable in the event of loss of the support.
Pour remédier aux problèmes évoqués ci-dessus, il est connu d'utiliser des brosses dont le manche comporte ses propres moyens de maintien de la brosse en position verticale. C'est ainsi qu'il a été proposé d'utiliser une brosse à dents dont la base du manche comporte un élément de lest pour rappeler la brosse en position verticale, ou d'utiliser une ventouse fixée à la base du manche.To remedy the problems mentioned above, it is known to use brushes whose handle has its own means for holding the brush in a vertical position. Thus it has been proposed to use a toothbrush whose base of the handle has a ballast element for recall the brush in an upright position, or use a suction cup attached to the base of the handle.
Il est aussi connu d'utiliser un manche de section épaisse, dont l'extrémité libre est plane radialement, formant une surface horizontale d'appui sur un plan quelconque.It is also known to use a handle of thick section, the free end of which is planar radially, forming a horizontal surface of support on any plane.
A titre d'exemple de brosses à dents dont la base du manche comprend ses propres moyens de maintien en position verticale, on trouve aussi la demande de brevet japonais J P-A-7-313.251 , dont la base comprend trois branches fixes disposées en trépied .By way of example of toothbrushes, the base of the handle of which includes its own means for holding it in a vertical position, there is also Japanese patent application J P-A-7-313.251, the base of which comprises three fixed arms arranged as a tripod.
Cependant, ces dispositifs présentent eux aussi des inconvénients, à savoir la complexité importante du montage industriel de ces systèmes, leur coût élevé et surtout une conformation particulière du manche ou de sa base qui en rend l'utilisation peu pratique.However, these devices also have drawbacks, namely the significant complexity of the industrial assembly of these systems, their high cost and above all a particular conformation of the handle or its base which makes its use impractical.
Afin de remédier aux inconvénients évoqués ci-dessus, la présente invention propose une brosse à dents du type comportant une tête empoilée et un manche comprenant des moyens de maintien de la brosse en position verticale de rangement, caractérisée en ce que le manche de la brosse est divisé longitudinalement à partir de sa partie supérieure en au moins deux branches articulées entre une position ouverte de rangement dans laquelle les extrémités libres des branches, écartées les unes des autres, forment les points d'appui de la brosse sur une surface horizontale, et une position fermée dans laquelle les branches sont regroupées pour l'utilisation de la brosse à dents.In order to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above, the present invention provides a toothbrush of the type comprising a stacked head and a handle comprising means for holding the brush in a vertical storage position, characterized in that the handle of the brush is divided longitudinally from its upper part into at least two branches articulated between an open storage position in which the free ends of the branches, separated from one another, form the support points of the brush on a horizontal surface, and a closed position in which the branches are grouped for the use of the toothbrush.
Selon d'autres caractéristiq ues de l'invention :According to other features of the invention:
- les branches sont rappelées élastiquement en position ouverte après l'utilisation de la brosse;- the branches are resiliently returned to the open position after using the brush;
- la brosse comprend des moyens de maintien des branches en position fermée; -->- The brush comprises means for holding the branches in the closed position; ->
- les moyens de maintien des branches de la brosse en position fermée sont constitués par un anneau coulissant longitudinalement le long du manche et dont le profil intérieur est complémentaire du profil externe du manche en position fermée des branches;- The means for holding the branches of the brush in the closed position are constituted by a ring sliding longitudinally along the handle and whose internal profile is complementary to the external profile of the handle in the closed position of the branches;
- le manche est divisé en trois branches réparties angulairement de manière régulière autour de l'axe longitudinal d u manche;- The handle is divided into three branches distributed angularly in a regular manner around the longitudinal axis of the handle;
- le manche est réalisé en une seule pièce en matière plastique fend ue long itud inalement en au moins deux branches ;- The handle is made in a single piece of plastics material that splits a long length in at least two branches;
- la brosse à dents est réalisée en une seu le pièce moulée comprenant le manche et la tête;- The toothbrush is made in a single molded part comprising the handle and the head;
- l'articulation de chaque branche est constituée par un amincissement situé à l'extrémité supérieure de la branche;- The articulation of each branch is constituted by a thinning located at the upper end of the branch;
- l'amincissement est situé sur la face interne de la branche, délimitant ainsi, en position regroupée des branches, un évidement interne dans le manche;- the thinning is located on the internal face of the branch, thus delimiting, in the grouped position of the branches, an internal recess in the handle;
- l'une des fentes entre deux branches adjacentes est perpendiculaire à un plan longitud inal parallèle à la tête de la brosse et est située du même coté que la face empoilée de la tête.- One of the slots between two adjacent branches is perpendicular to an inal longitudinal plane parallel to the head of the brush and is located on the same side as the stacked face of the head.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'i nvention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue générale en perspective de la brosse en position ouverte des branches ;- Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the brush in the open position of the branches;
- la figure 2 est une vue de face de la brosse maintenue en position fermée des branches;- Figure 2 is a front view of the brush maintained in the closed position of the branches;
- la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale selon la ligne 3-3 de la figure 1 de l'une des branches d u manche; - la figure 4 est une section radiale selon la lig ne 4-4 de la figure 1 ;- Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 1 of one of the arms of the handle; - Figure 4 is a radial section along line 4-4 of Figure 1;
- la figure 5 est une section radiale selon la lig ne 5-5 de la figure 2. On a représenté aux figures 1 à 5 une brosse à dents- Figure 5 is a radial section along line 5-5 of Figure 2. There is shown in Figures 1 to 5 a toothbrush
10 qui, selon une conception connue, comprend une tête empoilée 12 pour le brossage des dents et un manche de préhension 14 q ui lui est relié, à sa partie supérieure par une portion amincie 1 3. Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention , le manche 14 de la brosse à dents 1 0 est divisé, à partir de sa partie supérieure, en trois branches 16, 1 8 et 20, q ui sont articulées entre une position ouverte, illustrée à la fig u re 1 , et une position fermée, représentée à la figure 2. En position ouverte, les branches 16 , 18 et 20 du manche 14 sont écartées radialement les unes des autres et leurs pieds respectifs 22, 24 et 26 forment les points d'appui de la brosse en position verticale sur une surface horizontale quelconque. Cette conformation permet un rangement de la brosse en orientation verticale sur n'importe quelle surface et sans accessoires ou support complémentaire, le manche constituant un trépied d'appui.10 which, according to a known design, comprises a stacked head 12 for brushing the teeth and a gripping handle 14 which is connected to it, at its upper part by a thinned portion 1 3. In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the handle 14 of the toothbrush 1 0 is divided, from its upper part, into three branches 16, 1 8 and 20, which are articulated between an open position, illustrated in fig u re 1, and a closed position , shown in Figure 2. In the open position, the branches 16, 18 and 20 of the handle 14 are spaced radially from each other and their respective feet 22, 24 and 26 form the support points of the brush in vertical position on any horizontal surface. This configuration allows the brush to be stored in vertical orientation on any surface and without accessories or additional support, the handle constituting a support tripod.
En position fermée, pour l'utilisation de la brosse, les branches 16 , 1 8 et 20 peuvent être regroupées pour former un bloc semblable au manche traditionnel d'une brosse à dents, présentant ici un profil de révolution, et ceci à rencontre d'un effort élastique qui rappelle les branches 16, 1 8 et 20 vers leur position ouverte.In the closed position, for the use of the brush, the branches 16, 1 8 and 20 can be combined to form a block similar to the traditional handle of a toothbrush, here having a profile of revolution, and this meets d 'an elastic force which recalls the branches 16, 1 8 and 20 towards their open position.
L'état naturel de repos des branches 16, 18 et 20 de la brosse 10 est la position ouverte, dans laquelle les branches 16, 18 et 20 sont écartées les unes des autres. Les branches 16, 18 et 20 sont rappelées élastiquement vers leur position ouverte, c'est-à-dire les branches écartées les unes des autres pour permettre le rangement de la brosse.The natural state of rest of the branches 16, 18 and 20 of the brush 10 is the open position, in which the branches 16, 18 and 20 are separated from each other. The branches 16, 18 and 20 are resiliently returned to their position open, that is to say the branches spaced from each other to allow storage of the brush.
Afin d'éviter, lors d u brossage des dents, le rappel intempestif des branches 16 , 1 8 et 20 en position ouverte et pour améliorer le confort de prise en main du manche, les branches 16, 18 et 20 sont maintenues en position fermée.In order to avoid, when brushing the teeth, untimely recall of the branches 16, 18 and 20 in the open position and to improve the comfort of grip of the handle, the branches 16, 18 and 20 are maintained in the closed position.
Les moyens de maintien des branches 16, 18 et 20 en position fermée consistent en un anneau 28 qui coulisse longitudinalement le long de la partie supérieure du manche 14 et dont la forme est sensiblement complémentaire de celle du manche 14 dans la zone dans laquelle les trois branches 16, 1 8, 20 se regroupent pour former le manche 14.The means for holding the branches 16, 18 and 20 in the closed position consist of a ring 28 which slides longitudinally along the upper part of the handle 14 and whose shape is substantially complementary to that of the handle 14 in the area in which the three branches 16, 1 8, 20 come together to form the handle 14.
L'anneau 28 présente les avantages d'être peu encombrant, d'être facilement mis en place par l'extrémité supérieure empoilée 12 de la brosse 1 0, et de pouvoir coulisser aisément le long du manche 14, permettant ainsi à l'utilisateur de le faire glisser le long du manche avec une seule main.The ring 28 has the advantages of being compact, of being easily put in place by the stacked upper end 12 of the brush 1 0, and of being able to slide easily along the handle 14, thus allowing the user to slide it along the handle with one hand.
Ainsi disposé, l'anneau 28 est retenu vers le haut par les poils de la tête 12 de la brosse 10 et en bas par le plus grand diamètre du manche 14, légèrement supérieur au diamètre interne de l'anneau 28, lorsque les branches 16, 18, et 20 sont regroupées en position fermée.Thus disposed, the ring 28 is retained upwards by the bristles of the head 12 of the brush 10 and below by the largest diameter of the handle 14, slightly greater than the internal diameter of the ring 28, when the branches 16 , 18, and 20 are grouped together in the closed position.
Pour obtenir le rappel des branches en position ouverte, il suffit de remonter l'anneau 28 le long du manche vers la partie amincie 13, les branches 16, 18 et 20 du manche 14 revenant ainsi à leur position naturelle écartée, l'anneau 28 étant simplement au repos autour de la partie supérieure du manche 14. Selon le mode de réalisation , illustré aux figures, le manche 14 est divisé en trois branches 16, 1 8 et 20 réparties angulairement de façon régulière autour de l'axe long itudinal. Les trois branches 16, 1 8 et 20, ainsi réparties selon des angles d'environ 120° , sont orientées de façon q ue l'une 29 des fentes entre deux faces de branches adjacentes soit située dans un plan perpend iculaire au plan défini par la tête de la brosse, et située par rapport à l'axe longitudinal dans la même direction que les poils de la tête 12 de la brosse.To obtain the recall of the branches in the open position, it suffices to raise the ring 28 along the handle towards the thinned part 13, the branches 16, 18 and 20 of the handle 14 thus returning to their natural apart position, the ring 28 being simply at rest around the upper part of the handle 14. According to the embodiment, illustrated in the figures, the handle 14 is divided into three branches 16, 1 8 and 20 distributed angularly in a regular manner around the long itudinal axis. The three branches 16, 18 and 20, thus distributed at angles of approximately 120 °, are oriented so that one of the slots between two faces of adjacent branches is located in a plane perpendicular to the plane defined by the head of the brush, and located relative to the longitudinal axis in the same direction as the bristles of the head 12 of the brush.
Comme on peut le voir plus particulièrement sur la figure 4, chacune des branches 16 , 18 ou 20, de section sensiblement triangulaire, est délimitée par une partie externe en arc de cercle 30 et par deux faces planes internes 32 et 34 d'orientation radiale et agencées à 120° . Lors du passage de la position ouverte à la position fermée de la brosse, la face 32 de chaque branche vient en appui sur la face 34 de la branche adjacente. Selon le même mode de réalisation, le corps de la brosse 1 0 est réalisé en une seule pièce, par exemple en une pièce moulée en matériau plastiq ue, comprenant à la fois la tête 12 et le manche 14 de la brosse 10, le manche 14 étant lui-même divisé en trois branches 16, 1 8 et 20 par moulage. Le mou lage de la brosse 1 0 , réalisé en position ouverte des branches , permet de réaliser les articulations des branches 1 6 , 1 8 et 20. Chacu ne des articu lations est à cet effet constituée par un amincissement de la branche correspondante à son extrémité supérieure 36 comme on peut le voir plus particulièrement sur la figure 3.As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 4, each of the branches 16, 18 or 20, of substantially triangular section, is delimited by an external part in an arc of a circle 30 and by two internal flat faces 32 and 34 of radial orientation and arranged at 120 °. When passing from the open position to the closed position of the brush, the face 32 of each branch bears on the face 34 of the adjacent branch. According to the same embodiment, the body of the brush 1 0 is made in one piece, for example in a molded piece of plastic material, comprising both the head 12 and the handle 14 of the brush 10, the handle 14 itself being divided into three branches 16, 18 and 20 by molding. The mou lage of the brush 1 0, carried out in the open position of the branches, makes it possible to produce the articulations of the branches 1 6, 1 8 and 20. Each of the articulations is for this purpose constituted by a thinning of the branch corresponding to its upper end 36 as can be seen more particularly in FIG. 3.
Cette portion amincie est plus spécifiquement délimitée par une facette 38 inclinée par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de la brosse 10 et à partir de celui-ci. Cette facette 38 est orientée en biais vers le haut et de l'intérieur vers l'extérieur, coupant ainsi en biais les deux faces planes internes 32 et 34. Cette facette interne 38 s'étend à une certaine profondeur dans la branche, sans aller jusqu'à la périphérie, et comprend elle-même une rainure 40 de forme générale allongée.This thinned portion is more specifically delimited by a facet 38 inclined with respect to and from the longitudinal axis of the brush 10. This facet 38 is biased upwards and from the inside to the outside, thus cutting the two internal flat faces 32 and 34 at an angle. This internal facet 38 extends to a certain depth in the branch, without going to the periphery, and itself comprises a groove 40 of generally elongated shape.
Lorsq ue les branches 16, 1 8 et 20 du manche 14 de la brosse 1 0 sont regroupées pour l'utilisation de la brosse 1 0, comme représenté sur la figure 2, la partie supérieure 36, correspondant à la zone de la facette 38 et de la rain ure 40, est sollicitée en flexion , à encontre de l'élasticité naturelle d u matériau de moulage, pour permettre le regroupement des trois branches. Comme on peut le voir plus particulièrement sur la figure 5, en position regroupée, le manche présente dans sa partie centrale un évidement 42 q ui correspond aux zones définies par les facettes 38 des différentes branches.When the branches 16, 18 and 20 of the handle 14 of the brush 1 0 are grouped together for the use of the brush 1 0, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper part 36, corresponding to the area of the facet 38 and the rain ure 40, is stressed in bending, against the natural elasticity of the molding material, to allow the three branches to be grouped together. As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 5, in the grouped position, the handle has in its central part a recess 42 which corresponds to the zones defined by the facets 38 of the different branches.
Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention , la brosse à dents ainsi définie présente donc les avantages de proposer une solution de rangement facile de la brosse formant trépied sur une surface quelconque globalement horizontale sans accessoire supplémentaire, et d'être simple d'utilisation lorsque le manche est en position fermée. Le passage de la position fermée à la position ouverte est effectué facilement par un mouvement longitud inal de l'anneau 28 vers le haut.In accordance with the teachings of the invention, the toothbrush thus defined therefore has the advantages of providing an easy storage solution for the brush forming a tripod on any generally horizontal surface without additional accessories, and of being simple to use when the handle is in the closed position. The transition from the closed position to the open position is easily carried out by an inal longitudinal movement of the ring 28 upwards.
Cet an neau 28 reste maintenu entre la tête 12 de la brosse 1 0 dont les poils ont une long ueur suffisante pour retenir l'anneau , et la partie d u manche à partir de laq uelle le diamètre de la bague est trop réduit par rapport à celui des branches regroupées pour pouvoir coulisser le long du manche vers le bas.This ring 28 remains held between the head 12 of the brush 1 0 whose bristles have a long enough to retain the ring, and the part of the handle from which the diameter of the ring is too small compared to that of the branches grouped together so that they can slide down the handle down.
A titre de variante, le manche 14 de la brosse à dents 10 peut comporter seulement deux branches en appui sur des surfaces ou des arêtes situées à la base de chaque branche, ou peut comporter quatre branches ou plus. Selon une autre variante, la brosse 1 0 peut comporter des moyens différents de maintien de la brosse en position fermée différents. A titre d'exemple, l'anneau coulissa nt peut être remplacé par un anneau de forme intérieure taraudée q ui coopère avec un filetage externe du manche 14 de la brosse, ou il peut être commandé par un curseur situé sur le manche 14, qui coulisse longitudinalement le long de celui-ci sous une sollicitation d u pouce de l'utilisateur, afin de permettre le passage d'une position à l'autre. Selon u ne autre variante, le manche 14 de la brosse peut comporter un ou plusieurs bossages, ou une gorge, afin d'éviter que l'anneau ne puisse se déplacer longitud inalement trop loin vers l'extrémité inférieure de la brosse au-delà de sa position de verrouillage des branches en position fermée. Alternatively, the handle 14 of the toothbrush 10 may have only two branches bearing on surfaces or edges located at the base of each branch, or may include four or more branches. According to another variant, the brush 1 0 may comprise different means for holding the brush in different closed position. By way of example, the sliding ring can be replaced by a ring of internal threaded shape which cooperates with an external thread of the handle 14 of the brush, or it can be controlled by a cursor located on the handle 14, which slides longitudinally along it under a stress on the thumb of the user, to allow passage from one position to another. According to another variant, the handle 14 of the brush may have one or more bosses, or a groove, in order to prevent the ring from being able to move longitudinally too far towards the lower end of the brush beyond from its locked position of the branches in the closed position.

Claims

REVEN DICATIONS REVEN DICATIONS
1 . Brosse à dents ( 1 0) d u type comportant une tête empoilée (12) et un manche ( 14) comprenant des moyens de maintien de la brosse en position verticale de rangement, caractérisée en ce que le manche ( 14) de la brosse ( 1 0) est divisé longitudinalement à partir de sa partie supérieure en au moins deux branches (16, 18, 20) articulées entre une position ouverte de rangement dans laq uelle les extrémités libres (22, 24, 26) des branches (16, 1 8 , 20), écartées les unes des autres, forment les points d'appui de la brosse ( 10) sur une surface horizontale, et une position fermée dans laquelle les branches (16, 1 8, 20) sont reg roupées pour l'utilisation de la brosse à dents( 10). 1. Toothbrush (1 0) of the type comprising a stacked head (12) and a handle (14) comprising means for holding the brush in the vertical storage position, characterized in that the handle (14) of the brush (1 0) is divided longitudinally from its upper part into at least two branches (16, 18, 20) articulated between an open storage position in which the free ends (22, 24, 26) of the branches (16, 1 8 , 20), spaced from each other, form the support points of the brush (10) on a horizontal surface, and a closed position in which the branches (16, 1 8, 20) are grouped for use toothbrush (10).
2. Brosse à dents ( 10) selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que les branches (16, 18 , 20) sont rappelées élastiq uement en position ouverte.2. Toothbrush (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the branches (16, 18, 20) are resiliently recalled in the open position.
3. Brosse à dents ( 10) selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que la brosse comprend des moyens de maintien des branches (16, 1 8, 20) en position fermée.3. Toothbrush (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the brush comprises means for holding the branches (16, 1 8, 20) in the closed position.
4. Brosse à dents ( 1 0) selon la revendication 3 , caractérisée en ce que les moyens de maintien des branches (13, 18,20) de la brosse (10) en position regroupée sont constitués par un anneau (28) coulissant longitudinalement le long du manche ( 14) et dont le profil intérieur est complémentaire du profil externe du manche ( 14) en position fermée des branches.4. Toothbrush (1 0) according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for holding the branches (13, 18,20) of the brush (10) in the grouped position consist of a ring (28) sliding longitudinally along the handle (14) and whose internal profile is complementary to the external profile of the handle (14) in the closed position of the branches.
5. Brosse à dents (1 0) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le manche (14) est divisé en trois branches (16 , 18, 20) réparties angulairement de manière rég ulière autour de l'axe longitudinal du manche. 5. Toothbrush (1 0) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (14) is divided into three branches (16, 18, 20) distributed angularly in a regular manner around the axis longitudinal of the handle.
6. Brosse à dents ( 1 0) selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que le manche ( 14) est réalisé en une seule pièce en matière plastiq ue fendue longitud inalement en au moins deux branches (16 , 1 8 , 20) . 6. Toothbrush (1 0) according to claim 5, characterized in that the handle (14) is made in one piece of plastic material ue split longitudinally in at least two branches (16, 1 8, 20).
7. Brosse à dents (10) selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que la brosse à dents (1 0) est réalisée en une seule pièce moulée comprenant le manche (14) et la tête (12).7. Toothbrush (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the toothbrush (1 0) is made in a single molded piece comprising the handle (14) and the head (12).
8. Brosse à dents (1 0) selon l'une des revendications 6 ou 7, caractérisée en ce que l'articulation de chaque branche8. Toothbrush (1 0) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the articulation of each branch
( 16, 18,20) est constituée par un amincissement (38,40) situé à l'extrémité supérieure (36) de la branche.(16, 18,20) is constituted by a thinning (38,40) located at the upper end (36) of the branch.
9. Brosse à dents (1 0) selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que l'amincissement (38 ,40) est situé sur la face interne de la branche (16, 1 8,20), délimitant ainsi, en position regroupée des branches, un évidement interne (42) dans le manche (14) .9. Toothbrush (1 0) according to claim 8, characterized in that the thinning (38, 40) is located on the internal face of the branch (16, 1 8,20), thus delimiting, in the grouped position branches, an internal recess (42) in the handle (14).
10. Brosse à dents ( 1 0) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 6 à 8 prise en combinaison avec la revendication 5 , caractérisée en ce q ue l'une des fentes entre deux branches adjacentes est perpend iculaire à un plan longitudinal parallèle à la tête (12) de la brosse et est située du même coté q ue la face empoilée de la tête. 10. Toothbrush (1 0) according to any one of claims 6 to 8 taken in combination with claim 5, characterized in that one of the slots between two adjacent branches is perpendicular to a longitudinal plane parallel to the head (12) of the brush and is located on the same side as the stacked face of the head.
EP98917251A 1997-03-28 1998-03-26 Toothbrush with handle comprising means for vertical storage Expired - Lifetime EP0926966B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9703819A FR2761244B1 (en) 1997-03-28 1997-03-28 TOOTHBRUSH WITH HANDLE COMPRISING MEANS FOR STORING IN VERTICAL POSITION
FR9703819 1997-03-28
PCT/FR1998/000623 WO1998043516A2 (en) 1997-03-28 1998-03-26 Toothbrush with handle comprising means for vertical storage

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0926966A2 true EP0926966A2 (en) 1999-07-07
EP0926966B1 EP0926966B1 (en) 2002-10-09

Family

ID=9505281

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98917251A Expired - Lifetime EP0926966B1 (en) 1997-03-28 1998-03-26 Toothbrush with handle comprising means for vertical storage

Country Status (14)

Country Link
US (1) US6170113B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0926966B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2000511456A (en)
CN (1) CN1220589A (en)
AT (1) ATE225618T1 (en)
AU (1) AU7052398A (en)
CA (1) CA2253422A1 (en)
DE (1) DE69808590D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2185162T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2761244B1 (en)
NO (1) NO985008L (en)
PL (1) PL330873A1 (en)
TW (1) TW362962B (en)
WO (1) WO1998043516A2 (en)

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US6907638B2 (en) * 2003-02-03 2005-06-21 Robert Katz Toothbrush with stand
US7784609B2 (en) * 2006-07-17 2010-08-31 David Frost Convertible holder for a consumer article
US20090130945A1 (en) * 2007-11-21 2009-05-21 Moss David B Children's toothbrush and aerial amusement device
US20110089307A1 (en) * 2008-04-30 2011-04-21 Brooks Matthew L Support for Hand-Held Instrument
KR101419898B1 (en) 2012-11-08 2014-07-15 이동호 Washing utensil
US9999293B2 (en) * 2016-11-07 2018-06-19 Katherine Joanne Weber Mop prop, stick stay, and broom base
IT201700021266U1 (en) * 2017-02-24 2018-08-24 Alessio Battaglia INSTRUMENT FOR CLEANING A CORRESPONDING PART OF THE ORAL CABLE OF A SUBJECT, IN PARTICULAR FOR THE CLEANING OF THE TEETH.
WO2019055636A1 (en) 2017-09-14 2019-03-21 Dudley Calvin Toothbrush with built-in stand
EP3603906B1 (en) * 2018-07-31 2021-12-15 BIC Violex S.A. Razor handles
KR102146160B1 (en) * 2018-08-03 2020-08-19 유나경 A cosmetic brush with a support fixture
EP3659760B1 (en) * 2018-11-29 2021-08-18 Bic Violex S.A. Tripod razor handle
US11944239B1 (en) * 2022-10-25 2024-04-02 Earnest Randle Portable toothbrush stand

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AT87895B (en) * 1920-12-04 1922-04-10 Charles Stephenson Shaving brush.
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USD301402S (en) * 1987-05-05 1989-06-06 Hirsch Alan R Toothbrush
JPH07313251A (en) * 1994-05-20 1995-12-05 H Design Assoc:Kk Tooth-brush
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0926966B1 (en) 2002-10-09
FR2761244A1 (en) 1998-10-02
ES2185162T3 (en) 2003-04-16
AU7052398A (en) 1998-10-22
CA2253422A1 (en) 1998-10-08
WO1998043516A3 (en) 1998-12-30
US6170113B1 (en) 2001-01-09
NO985008D0 (en) 1998-10-28
NO985008L (en) 1999-01-07
TW362962B (en) 1999-07-01
WO1998043516A2 (en) 1998-10-08
CN1220589A (en) 1999-06-23
FR2761244B1 (en) 1999-05-28
DE69808590D1 (en) 2002-11-14
PL330873A1 (en) 1999-06-07
JP2000511456A (en) 2000-09-05
ATE225618T1 (en) 2002-10-15

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