EP2494885A1 - Zahnbürste - Google Patents

Zahnbürste Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2494885A1
EP2494885A1 EP11156748A EP11156748A EP2494885A1 EP 2494885 A1 EP2494885 A1 EP 2494885A1 EP 11156748 A EP11156748 A EP 11156748A EP 11156748 A EP11156748 A EP 11156748A EP 2494885 A1 EP2494885 A1 EP 2494885A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
head
array
bristles
longitudinal axis
fan
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11156748A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Giusy Cimmino
Nicolaas Leonard Van Geet
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.)
Unilever PLC
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
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 Unilever PLC filed Critical Unilever PLC
Priority to EP11156748A priority Critical patent/EP2494885A1/de
Publication of EP2494885A1 publication Critical patent/EP2494885A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/04—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/025—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups the bristles or the tufts being arranged in an angled position relative to each other

Definitions

  • This invention relates to toothbrushes, in particular to the bristle configuration of a toothbrush. More particularly this invention relates to improved toothbrush bristle configurations comprising fan-shaped bristle arrays.
  • the present invention achieves this objective through an improved toothbrush bristle configuration comprising a particular type of fan-shaped bristle array.
  • US 4,729,142 is concerned with the adaptation of a toothbrush for use in an approved tooth brushing method (modified Bass).
  • the toothbrush in this case employs bristle tufts having a converging upward taper, in which the width of the mass of bristles at the top of the brush is substantially less than at the base.
  • WO 03/0757119 describes a toothbrush head with at least one fan-shaped bristle array, for improved cleaning to the interdental regions of the teeth.
  • the bristles at the centre of the array are substantially vertical and the bristles at the edges of the array are each angled away from the vertical by an angle of about 11°.
  • the present invention provides a toothbrush having:
  • continuous mass of bristles it is generally meant that the bristles are in contact or densely packed so as to present a substantially uninterrupted array surface along the transverse extent of the array (relative to the longitudinal axis of the head).
  • the array is formed from a row of discrete bristle tufts, configured to provide a bristle array with the geometry as defined above (hereinafter termed a "fan-shaped array").
  • the bristle tufts which form the fan-shaped array may suitably be fixed to the head by so called anchor technology whereby the bristle tufts are bent in half by a strip of metal which is pressed into the wall surrounding the tuft hole.
  • the tufts may be fixed to the brush head by in-mould welding. This is a technique which involves the moulding of the head around a fixed bristle tuft.
  • the lateral edges of the fan-shaped array are each inclined at an angle of greater than 30° relative to an axis lying in the plane of the array which is perpendicular to the proximal edge of the array. Most preferably the angle ranges from 30° to 60°, and is optimally about 45°.
  • the distal edge of the fan-shaped array defines a generally continuous line which is most preferably of an arcuate shape when viewed from the front end of the head down the longitudinal axis thereof towards the handle.
  • the shape is arcuate in the sense that it extends furthest from the upper surface of the head at the longitudinal mid-point of the distal edge and gradually less so at the end-points of the distal edge.
  • each of the one or more fan-shaped arrays individually covers no more than 25% of the area of the upper surface of the head, for example no more than 20%, preferably less than 10% of the upper surface of the head.
  • the toothbrush of the invention may have a series of fan-shaped arrays, running along the longitudinal axis of the head.
  • the toothbrush of the invention may have between 2 and 10 fan shaped arrays, which are spaced or grouped at generally regular intervals along the upper surface of the head.
  • the arrays are aligned so that their respective perimeter edges are generally in registration with one another when viewed from the front end of the head down the longitudinal axis thereof towards the handle.
  • the fan shaped arrays are arranged in groups, each group typically containing from 2 to 4 arrays arranged face-to-face. Most preferably the groups are arranged in a "sandwich" type structure, such as a central array interposed between a pair of outer arrays.
  • the bristles forming the central array have a longer average length than those forming the outer arrays.
  • the bristles which form the central array may have an average length ranging from 1.05 to 1.5 L, where L denotes the average length of the bristles which form the outer arrays.
  • the bristles forming the central array have a lesser average cross-sectional diameter than those of the two outer arrays.
  • the average cross-sectional diameter of the bristles which form the central array may range from 0.75 to 0.99 D, where D denotes the average cross-sectional diameter of the bristles which form the outer arrays.
  • the longer and/or finer bristles of the central array enable enhanced interdental cleaning.
  • Bristles of reduced average cross-sectional diameter suitable for use in this context may be produced for example by tapering.
  • tapering there are two methods of producing such tapered bristles. One is to chemically erode the ends of the bristle filaments; the other is to mechanically abrade them to a taper.
  • the toothbrush according to the invention comprises one or more secondary cleaning elements in addition to the one or more fan-shaped arrays.
  • the secondary cleaning elements may be formed from bristles, each with one end fixed into the upper surface of the head and a free end opposite the fixed one.
  • bristles are arranged in a pattern of discrete bristle tufts or tuft groups.
  • the tufts may be fixed to the head by a suitable fixing process such as the anchor technology or in-mould welding described above.
  • the bristle tufts or tuft groups forming the secondary cleaning elements are arranged into a shape which has a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bristles ("the bristle axis") which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head ("the long dimension") than in the direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head (“the width dimension”).
  • the ratio of long dimension to width dimension is 1.5:1 or more, preferably 2:1 or more.
  • the cross section of the secondary cleaning elements may be generally rectangular in shape over a substantial part of their cross-sectional area, having the long dimension of the rectangle aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head.
  • the term "generally rectangular” includes inter alia rectangular with rounded corners, lozenge-shaped (i.e. two generally parallel long sides and two rounded ends), parallelogram-shaped and trapezoidal-shaped.
  • each of the one or more secondary cleaning elements individually covers no more than 25% of the area of the upper surface of the head, for example no more than 20%, preferably less than 10% of the upper surface of the head.
  • the toothbrush of the invention may have between 5 and 15 secondary cleaning elements, which are spaced or grouped at generally regular intervals along the upper surface of the head.
  • the secondary cleaning elements are arranged in rows running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head, each row typically containing from 4 to 6 secondary cleaning elements arranged side-by-side.
  • the toothbrush of the invention may have a series of such rows, running along the longitudinal axis of the head.
  • the toothbrush of the invention may have between 2 and 4 rows of secondary cleaning elements, which are spaced at generally regular intervals along the upper surface of the head.
  • the one or more secondary cleaning elements are formed from bristles which have an average length from their fixed to their free ends which is shorter than the corresponding average length of the bristles which form the one or more fan-shaped arrays.
  • the bristles which form the one or more fan-shaped arrays may have an average length ranging from 1.05 to 1.5 /, where / denotes the average length of the bristles of the one or more secondary cleaning elements from their fixed to their free ends. The shorter bristles of the secondary cleaning elements enable enhanced cleaning of the gum line and the tooth surface.
  • rows of secondary cleaning elements (as described above) and groups of fan-shaped arrays (as described above) run along the longitudinal axis of the head in an alternating manner when viewed from the front end of the head down the longitudinal axis thereof towards the handle.
  • a toothbrush head (1) is connected to an integral handle (2).
  • the head (1) has a front end (3) and a rear end (4), positioned along a longitudinal axis indicated by the line A-A, and an upper surface (5).
  • the upper surface (5) carries a series of 3 groups of 3 fan-shaped arrays (6a,6b,6c) running along axis A-A.
  • Each array is composed of a continuous mass of bristles each with one end fixed into the upper surface (5) and a free end opposite the fixed one.
  • Each array has a fan-shaped perimeter, this perimeter being defined by a proximal edge p which is formed by the fixed ends of the bristles and which extends across the upper surface (5) in a transverse direction relative to axis A-A, an arcuate distal edge d which is formed by the free ends of the bristles, and two generally straight lateral edges / therebetween.
  • Each lateral edge / is inclined at an angle of about 45° relative to an axis indicated by the line B-B, which is an axis lying in the plane of the array which is perpendicular to the proximal edge p of the array.
  • Each group of 3 fan-shaped arrays (6a,6b,6c) is arranged in a "sandwich" type structure with a central array (6b) interposed between a pair of outer arrays (6a,6c).
  • the bristles which form the central array (6b) are longer and finer than the bristles which form the outer arrays (6a,6c).
  • the upper surface (5) also carries two rows of 5 lozenge-shaped secondary cleaning elements (7) running along axis A-A in an alternating manner with the groups of fan-shaped arrays (6a,6b,6c).
  • the bristles which form the secondary cleaning elements (7) are shorter than the bristles forming the fan-shaped arrays (6a,6b,6c).
  • An end tuft (8) is disposed at the front end (3) of upper surface (5).
  • the end tuft (8) has a generally "D" shaped cross-section, with the rounded bend of the "D" facing the front end (3) of upper surface (5).
  • the arcuate distal edges d of the fan-shaped arrays (6a,6b,6c) are able to sweep across the tooth surface at least 90°. This helps to guide brushing movement towards the recommended "top to bottom” action.
  • the finer bristles of the central arrays (6b) enable enhanced penetration between the teeth for improved interdental cleaning, and the shorter bristles of the secondary cleaning elements enable enhanced cleaning of the gum line and the tooth surface. In this way, the toothbrush of the invention helps to guide brushing movement and enables better conformity with recommended tooth brushing techniques during normal use, for overall improved cleaning.

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  • Brushes (AREA)
EP11156748A 2011-03-03 2011-03-03 Zahnbürste Withdrawn EP2494885A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11156748A EP2494885A1 (de) 2011-03-03 2011-03-03 Zahnbürste

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11156748A EP2494885A1 (de) 2011-03-03 2011-03-03 Zahnbürste

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2494885A1 true EP2494885A1 (de) 2012-09-05

Family

ID=44317894

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11156748A Withdrawn EP2494885A1 (de) 2011-03-03 2011-03-03 Zahnbürste

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2494885A1 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9402461B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2016-08-02 Braun Gmbh Head for an oral care implement
USD1024573S1 (en) 2022-03-08 2024-04-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD1026470S1 (en) 2022-03-08 2024-05-14 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3103679A (en) * 1961-11-01 1963-09-17 George S Clemens Toothbrush
US4729142A (en) 1986-03-31 1988-03-08 Joseph C. Cox, Iii Toothbrush
US5345647A (en) * 1993-07-12 1994-09-13 Liu Hung Hsi Toothbrush
EP0716573B1 (de) * 1993-09-02 1997-01-22 SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH Anordnung für bürstenborsten für eine zahnbürste
JP2000175743A (ja) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-27 Tetsuo Notomi ブラシ
WO2003075711A1 (en) * 2002-03-14 2003-09-18 Unilever N.V. Toothbrush
WO2003075719A1 (en) 2002-02-21 2003-09-18 Hl Display Ab An arrangement for merchandise display prongs

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3103679A (en) * 1961-11-01 1963-09-17 George S Clemens Toothbrush
US4729142A (en) 1986-03-31 1988-03-08 Joseph C. Cox, Iii Toothbrush
US5345647A (en) * 1993-07-12 1994-09-13 Liu Hung Hsi Toothbrush
EP0716573B1 (de) * 1993-09-02 1997-01-22 SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH Anordnung für bürstenborsten für eine zahnbürste
JP2000175743A (ja) * 1998-12-14 2000-06-27 Tetsuo Notomi ブラシ
WO2003075719A1 (en) 2002-02-21 2003-09-18 Hl Display Ab An arrangement for merchandise display prongs
WO2003075711A1 (en) * 2002-03-14 2003-09-18 Unilever N.V. Toothbrush

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9402461B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2016-08-02 Braun Gmbh Head for an oral care implement
USD1024573S1 (en) 2022-03-08 2024-04-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD1026470S1 (en) 2022-03-08 2024-05-14 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement

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