EP1470765A1 - Interdental brush - Google Patents

Abstract

Interdental brush comprises filaments (2) held between twisted wire sections (1a, 1b). The wire sections have a diameter (D) of 0.3 mm or less and are made of a nickel-free or low-nickel steel. An independent claim is also included for the production of an interdental brush comprising inserting filaments between two wire sections and twisting the wire sections with the filaments. Preferred Features: The wire sections are made of an austenitic steel and have a diameter of more than 0.15 mm.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to an interdental brush, wherein filaments (or bristles) between two twisted wire sections are held. Next concerns the Invention a method for producing such brushes.

State of the art

The cleaning of the interdental spaces with the help of interdental brushes has long been one indispensable to a comprehensive dental care. These interdental brushes exist in the Essentially from two twisted thin pieces of wire, between which the bristles or synthetic filaments are clamped. While earlier the wire ends of the small Brushes had to be inserted into a handle by the user (see US 4,222,143, Tarrson), modern interdental brushes have a plastic part which is under control can be conveniently used (see, for example, EP 0 001 044 A1, Georg, EP 0 203 082 B1, Curaden AG). Depending on the width of the interdental spaces large or small brushes are needed. It Therefore, there are a number of brushes with different wire and bristle diameters .. There are already known systems which give the patient a simple and enable fast determination of the correct interdental brush (cf., for example, EP 0 892 625 B1, Curaden AG).

In practice, it has been shown time and again that the fine interdental brushes, i. the brushes are problematic for the narrow interdental spaces in the application i. at the Use bending slightly and possibly breaking.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is a belonging to the aforementioned technical field Interdental brush to create, which also with small diameter of the wire is stable.

The solution of the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the Invention, the twisted wire sections have a diameter of 0.3 mm or less and consist of a nickel-free or nickel-poor steel. As "nickel-free" or "Nickelarm" is referred to in the context of the invention, a steel, if the nickel content in the alloy is less than 0.05% by weight.

Interdental brushes according to the invention are characterized by increased rigidity and an improved restoring force. If the brushes z. B. obliquely in the Between teeth are introduced and abut with the tip, then the twisted section will not deform so easily, or if it deforms, he is not so easily deformed permanently. This allows the properties of particular thin brushes are noticeably improved for the user. With the use nickel-free wire also increases the body compatibility of the brush without any protective coatings are necessary.

Preferably, the wire used has a diameter of 0.15 mm or more. Practical experiments have shown that in the smallest common today interdental brushes with 0.15 mm to 0.30 can be worked well. Thick wires result naturally more stable brushes than thin ones. Under certain circumstances, it is advantageous if the Wires should not be chosen as thick as possible. Thinner wires lead to more flexible To brush. A preferred wire diameter is in the range of 0.18 - 0.27 mm.

The wire used preferably has a tensile strength of 1000 N / mm 2 or more. In most cases, the tensile strength does not have to be greater than 1200 N / mm2. Such Wires not only give a brush with low risk of breakage, but also allow a processing in fast-working and strongly bending machines. Too high Strength can make processing more difficult because the wires can break. Surprisingly was found that the inventive wires even then can be processed if they have a tensile strength of 1000 N / mm2 and more to have. This is not the case with the nickel-containing wires.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the wires are made of an austenite. Have attempts shown that the robustness of the filament carrier, which through the twisted wires is formed so that it is favorably influenced. In addition, by the corrosion resistance ensured that long-stored or broken brushes (because in the meantime occurred corrosion) in use not to problems for the user to lead.

Stretching or twisting wires during processing in the brush production increases the tensile strength. The processed wires are opposite the raw state to a certain extent stiffer.

In the automated and automated production of an interdental brush are in known manner between two wire sections filaments introduced and the wire sections twisted with the filaments. However, according to the invention does not become ordinary nickel-containing wire, but a nickel-free used. The wire sections may be formed by the two halves of a single piece of wire per se. You can but also be realized with two separate wires.

From the following detailed description and the totality of the claims result further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung des verdrillten Drahtes;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Querschnitts,

The drawings used to explain the embodiment show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of the twisted wire;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a cross section,

Basically, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

Ways to carry out the invention

Seen from the outside, the inventive interdental brushes are the same as shown in the aforementioned prior art. Fig. 1 shows how the wire sections 1a, 1b are twisted together. The filaments are not shown in FIG. 1. They are clamped between the two wire sections 1a, 1b. It is recognizable that the wire sections 1a, 1b are bent relatively strong. They form, so to speak the filament carrier.

Fig. 2 shows a cross section through the filament support. The wire sections 1a, 1b have a certain diameter D. Between them, the filaments 2 are held. Of the Diameter D is set so that on the one hand the filament support a desired stiffness and on the other hand, the interdental brush has a certain degree of mobility is adjusted. The mobility may be e.g. be determined by a probe, as they are is known from the aforementioned EP 0 892 625 B1. For the usability are under the diameter D as well as the width B and the wire material used (or its flexibility) relevant.

Interdental brushes made of nickel-free steel (nickel-free in this context: nickel content below 0.05% by weight) of the following composition were successfully produced (rounded weights, impurities not mentioned): 17% by weight chrome 14% by weight manganese 2% by weight molybdenum 0.5% by weight nitrogen 0.25% by weight silicon 0.11% by weight carbon 0.04% by weight nickel 0.02% by weight phosphorus 0.006% by weight titanium rest iron

The wire had a diameter of 0.23 mm and a tensile strength of at least 1100 N / mm2 and at most 1300 N / mm2. Further attempts were made with a wire made with 0.27 mm diameter and same alloy. The tensile strength was at least 1000 N / mm2 and at most 1200 N / mm2.

The interdental brush fitted with the new wire holds one under rotating curvature three times more frequent exposure to the traditional brush. (In the so-called. rotating the plastic part is clamped and the tip of the brush is with a device rotates circularly.)

It is understood that the above alloy composition can be varied. Cr and Mn content may e.g. be changed by 3% by weight. If the biocompatibility is particularly important, the Ni content is preferably chosen lower.

In summary, it should be noted that an interdental brush with small diameter of the filament support and thus good mobility in the narrow Interdental spaces is created. Even with fine wire diameters is a high Robustness of the interdental brush achieved.

Claims (8)

Interdental brush, in which filaments between two twisted wire sections (1a, 1b) are held, characterized in that the wire sections (1a, 1b) have a diameter (D) of 0.3 mm or less and consist of a nickel-free or nickel-poor steel. Interdental brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire sections (1a, 1b) have a diameter (D) of more than 0.15 mm. Interdental brush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wire sections (1a, 1b) a tensile strength of 1000 N / mm2 or more have. Interdental brush according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wire sections (1a, 1b) have a tensile strength of 1200 N / mm2 or less. Interdental brush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wire sections (1a, 1b) consist of an austenitic steel. Interdental brush according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is plugged or stretched wire sections (1a, 1b). Method for producing an interdental brush, wherein filaments (2) are introduced between two wire sections (1a, 1b) and the wire sections (1a, 1b) are twisted with the filaments (2), characterized in that the wire sections (1a, 1b) are made of nickel-free or nickel-poor steel. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the brush is made of a single piece of wire, wherein the wire is both bent and stretched during processing.

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