EP3672446B1 - Interdental brush - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to an interdental brush comprising a brush part and a shaft for releasably attaching the interdental brush in a handle part, the brush part comprising a bristle holder and bristles attached to the bristle holder and the bristle holder having a first end at which the bristle holder is anchored in the shaft. The invention further relates to a method for producing an interdental brush.

State of the art

Comprehensive dental care includes not only cleaning the teeth themselves, but also cleaning the spaces between the teeth. Bacteria can form in these, which can lead to tooth decay, plaque and inflammation. However, it is very difficult to clean the spaces between your teeth with a toothbrush. That's why so-called interdental brushes are used to clean the gaps. These usually have a brush head with fine bristles, which is much smaller compared to toothbrushes, so that the brush head can be inserted between the teeth. The fine bristles are attached to a bristle holder, which is often in the form of a twisted wire. The bristle holder is usually cast or inserted into a plastic shaft of the interdental brush at one end. The shaft in turn is accommodated in a handle part in a known manner. The handle part can be easily held by the user by hand and thus allows easy handling of the interdental brush.

When using the interdental brush, the brush head is subjected to a lot of stress and is often bent elastically or plastically. So that the brush part is not torn out of the shaft of the interdental brush or the brush part cannot rotate in the shaft, the end of the brush part cast into the shaft often has a shape so that the anchored end can be better held in the shaft.

The JP 2008 154901 A (Lion Corp. ) discloses, for example, interdental brushes in which the anchored end parts of the brassiere made of twisted wire have an arcuate, rectangular, semicircular or triangular shape in order to be able to reliably anchor the end part in the plastic shaft of the interdental brush.

From the WO 2009/081783 A1 (Lion Corp ) an interdental brush is known in which the brush is permanently attached to the handle. The bristle holder (the base of the wire) is cast into the base material. The casing is sprayed on afterwards. The narrowed point in the base material ensures flexibility in the neck.

The DE 103 54 774 A1 (Zahoransl<y ) discloses an interdental brush in which the brush part is permanently anchored in a handle. The handle comprises a handle base body with a recess and a handle part injected into this recess. First, the handle base body is manufactured by injection molding so that a central part of the bristle-free end of the shaft is cast into the handle base body. The angled end of the shaft is cast into the handle part using a second injection molding process. The handle part is made of a slightly softer, rubber-like material compared to the base body, which results in a better grip.

Such interdental brushes with an integrated handle are complex to produce because the handle part has to be injected into the base body in a second manufacturing step. In addition, the entire interdental brush with handle must be replaced if the bristles in the brush part are worn out. This is expensive and creates a lot of waste.

However, systems are also known in which the interdental brush can be detachably connected to the handle part. If the interdental brush needs to be replaced, it can be separated from the handle part and a new interdental brush can be inserted into the handle part.

Such a system with a handle part and replaceable interdental brushes is disclosed, for example DE 10 2005 047 340 A1 (Braun GmbH ). The interdental brush points in the longitudinal direction on its shaft at a free end of the shaft facing away from the brush grooves running along the shaft. When the interdental brush is inserted into an opening of the handle part, wall sections between the grooves form a lock with the inner wall of the opening of the handle part. The interdental brush is thus held in the handle part and can be detached from the handle part for replacement if necessary.

Another version of a replaceable interdental brush reveals the WO 1986/02532 (Curades ). This interdental brush comprises a brush part which has a bristle carrier with bristles formed from a twisted wire loop and a bristleless end part. The end part is cast into a cylindrical shaft of the interdental brush made of plastic. At the free end of the shaft there is a cross member with two arms that forms a stop. The interdental brush can be mounted in a handle part by inserting the traverse into a groove formed in the handle part and screwing a threaded sleeve of the handle part towards the traverse until the threaded sleeve runs onto an arm of the traverse and this is between the threaded sleeve and the bottom of the groove of the Handle part is clamped.

Ultimately, the system is the toolbox WO 2009/108470 A1 mentioned. The box contains various items, including toothbrushes. To ensure that the box and treatment items are only used for a specific patient, all items in the box can be tagged with a code or RFID. The same code should also be on the patient card.

Thanks to the formations in the end part of the bristle holder, the bristle holder can be reliably held in the shaft even with interdental brushes that can be detachably fastened in a handle part. However, such known interdental brushes have some disadvantages in relation to the connection between the bristle holder and the shaft.

Since the bristle holder often bends elastically or even plastically during use of the interdental brush, the material of the bristle holder is subjected to very high stress in places. To make matters worse, this bending of the bristle holder mainly occurs in one place, namely where the bristle holder comes out of the Shaft exits. Material fatigue often occurs at this exit point, which can lead to the bristle holder breaking.

In order to avoid the risk of the bristle holder bending or breaking, the WO 1986/02532 (Curades ) a shaft with a specially shaped hole to accommodate the end part of the bristle holder. The shaft made of hard plastic includes a front section that is flared conically or hyperbolically towards the exit. The rear portion of the end part of the bristle holder is firmly anchored in a rear portion of the bore. The front section of the end part of the bristle holder is mounted so that it can be bent in the gradually widening section of the bore with increasing play in the direction of the bristles. The front section of the end part can therefore bend elastically in the bore section, with the wall of the bore section preventing bending beyond the elastic limit of the bristle holder.

Despite this optimized shape of the hole in the shaft, the bristle holder is heavily stressed at the exit point and the bristle holder can be damaged or even break off. In addition, the hole described above with a conical exit is difficult to produce.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to create an interdental brush belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, which has an improved accommodation of the bristle holder in the shaft, while the shaft is still easy to produce.

The solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, the shaft is made from two parts.

This makes it possible in a simple manner to construct the shaft of the interdental brush in such a way that it has different properties in certain areas. For example, a first part can have a different shape and be manufactured using a different manufacturing process than a second part of the shaft. This means that different requirements for individual areas of the shaft can be better met.

For example, the area of the shaft where the bristle holder emerges from the shaft can be formed by a first part which is very precisely shaped and guides the bristle holder precisely so that the bristle holder can be bent during use without breaking. On the other hand, for example, a lower end region of the shaft can consist of a second part, which does not have to be manufactured so precisely, but only serves to firmly anchor the first end of the bristle holder. Accordingly, the second part can be produced cost-effectively with a simpler tool. For example, the second part can be produced by stamping or by a simple injection molding process. This means that the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process can be selected for the respective part of the shaft. This allows the shaft to be optimally constructed.

In the present description, the term “interdental brush” is understood to mean a brush which is suitable for cleaning the spaces between the teeth of human or animal teeth. To use the interdental brush, a handle part is required to which the interdental brush can be detachably attached, for example by means of a locking or screw connection. The handle part ensures that the interdental brush is easy to handle and can therefore be positioned and moved precisely between the teeth. The handle part on which the interdental brush can be grasped by hand is therefore to be distinguished from the term “shaft” of the interdental brush. The shaft serves to anchor the bristle holder and to releasably connect the interdental brush to the handle part.

The term “anchored” means an inseparable connection. For example, the first end of the bristle holder can be glued, cast or clamped into the shaft. A detachable connection such as a plug or screw connection or a bayonet lock does not fall under the term “anchored”.

According to the invention, the shaft is made from two parts. The shaft is therefore preferably designed in two parts. This means that each part can be manufactured individually and can then be connected to the other part to make the shaft. The first and second parts can be connected to one another in a detachable manner, for example by means of a plug connection or a screw connection, or in a non-detachable manner, for example by gluing or joining. If the second part is made of plastic, for example, the second part can be sprayed onto the first part by means of plastic injection molding or the second part can be connected to the first part by means of ultrasonic welding, vibration welding (VIB welding), orbital welding, mirror welding or by means of gluing.

The first part and the second part can consist of the same material or they can each be made of a different material.

Preferably, the shaft is divided into a first part and a second part in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. This means that the parts of the shaft are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. However, this does not rule out the possibility that individual areas or elements of the first part and/or the second part of the shaft protrude into the other part in the longitudinal direction. For example, the first part can include projections, tabs or wings that protrude longitudinally into the second part of the shaft.

Preferably, a first part of the shaft comprises projections which protrude from the first part in the longitudinal direction of the first part and are received in corresponding recesses in a second part of the shaft. This allows the contact area between the first part and the second part of the shaft to be increased. This enables a stable and secure connection between the two parts.

Preferably the shaft comprises two different materials. This means that the individual areas of the shaft can be tailored particularly well to the respective requirements. Preferably the first part of the shaft is made of a first material and the second part of the shaft is made of a second material. This allows the use of materials with different mechanical properties and different colors. In addition, the parts can be manufactured using different manufacturing processes.

For example, the part of the shaft where the bristle holder emerges from the shaft can be made of a more flexible or elastic material than the second part in the area of the free end of the shaft, which is designed to be received in a handle part. The second part can then consist, for example, of a hard, wear-resistant material. Due to the flexible or elastic material of the first part in the area where the bristle holder exits the shaft, if the bristle holder is bent, the first part of the shaft can give way and still support the bristle holder well, so that bending exceeds the elastic limit of the bristle holder in the exit area can be avoided. This can prevent the bristle holder from breaking. The second part in the area of the free end of the shaft, however, is wear-resistant due to the hard material and can therefore be connected to the handle part without being damaged. In addition, the hard material enables a stable connection between the shaft and the handle part. The choice of material can, for example, also be the other way around and a soft or elastic material can be used for the second part in the area of the free end of the shaft in order to enable an elastic connection between the interdental brush and the handle part.

Due to the different materials, a material can be selected for anchoring the bristle holder in the area of the free end of the shaft, which can be particularly well adapted to the respective shape of the first end of the bristle holder, so that the bristle holder is reliably held in the shaft. The first end of the bristle holder for anchoring in the shaft can, for example, be semicircular, V-shaped, serrated or curved.

This means that the shaft of the interdental brush, which is made of two materials, can be adapted particularly well to the requirements. In addition, due to the different materials in the shaft, the areas can be made with the material that is best suited for the respective shape of the area of the shaft. For example, the upper area of the shaft can be made from a special plastic to enable particularly precise shaping of the outlet opening by plastic injection molding. The lower area of the shaft, on the other hand, can be made from a cost-effective material, for example, since less precise shaping is required here. This enables efficient and cost-effective production.

However, the shaft can also comprise three, four or more different materials. The term “different” refers to the properties of the material and not to the overall name of the material. This means that a first plastic with a first hardness and a second plastic with a second hardness are considered "two different materials" in the present description, although both fall under the term "plastics". The shaft can, for example, also comprise a plastic and a metal. In addition, materials with different colors are considered two different materials in this description, even if they have the same properties except for the color. For example, according to this definition, a blue plastic is a different material than a red plastic.

Preferably, the shaft comprises a transition part and an anchoring part, with the first end of the bristle holder being anchored in the anchoring part. The transition part and the anchoring part can have any shape. For example, they can each be cylindrical, spherical or cuboid. The transition part and the anchoring part can also be connected to one another in a detachable manner, for example via a plug connection, or in a non-detachable manner.

Preferably, the transition part corresponds to the first part and the anchoring part corresponds to the second part of the shaft. Because the shaft includes a transition part and an anchoring part, the functions of the shaft are divided into the first and second parts. This allows for easy design and manufacture. So can For example, the anchoring part can be designed with regard to optimal anchoring of the first end of the bristle holder, while the transition part can be designed, for example, with regard to optimal support of the bristle holder.

Preferably, the transition part and the anchoring part are cast together so that they are firmly and permanently connected to one another. This makes the shaft stable.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the shaft has no transition part and no anchoring part, but rather the first end of the bristle holder is anchored in both parts of the shaft.

The anchoring part preferably has two wings which protrude in the longitudinal direction of the anchoring part towards the transition part. Preferably, the transition part has two recesses for receiving the wings of the anchoring part.

The wings increase the surface area between the transition part and the anchoring part. This enables a particularly strong connection between the transition part and the anchoring part. If the anchoring part is sprayed onto the transition part, a particularly stable connection between the transition part and the anchoring part can be achieved due to the enlarged contact area.

The bristle holder preferably has a bristle region, with the transition part being arranged between the anchored first end and the bristle region of the bristle holder. As a result, the bristle holder can be optimally guided and supported by the transition part in the area between its bristle area and the first end. For example, if the bristle holder is bent when cleaning the teeth, it can be supported by the bristle holder. As a result, loads on the bristle holder at the transition point at which the bristle holder enters the anchoring part can be reduced. This means that the load on the bristle holder can be reduced and the risk of the bristle holder breaking or bending can be avoided.

The transition part can have any shape. For example, it can be arranged laterally next to the bristle holder or it can surround the bristle holder.

Preferably, the transition part comprises a first of the two materials and the anchoring part comprises a second of the two materials.

Since a material can be selected for the transition part which is optimal for guiding the bristle holder, while a material can be selected for the anchoring part which enables a particularly stable anchoring of the first end of the bristle holder, the shaft can be constructed particularly advantageously. For example, as already stated above, the transition part can be made of an elastic material in order to be able to guide and support the bristle holder even in the event of deformation.

Because the transition portion may come into contact with the teeth and/or gums during dental cleaning, the transition portion may be constructed of a softer material to reduce the risk of damage to the teeth or gums. On the other hand, a stiff or hard material can be selected for the anchoring part in order to be able to anchor the first end of the bristle holder stably and firmly in the anchoring part.

Alternatively, the transition part and the anchoring part can also be made from the first material and a third part, for example a connecting part to connect the shaft to a handle part, can be made from the second material.

The second material advantageously has greater flexural rigidity than the first material.

For example, if the anchoring part has a material with a bending stiffness that is greater than the material of the transition part, the first end of the bristle holder can be anchored particularly stably and firmly in the anchoring part by the stiff material, while the less rigid transition part provides particularly good guidance and support for the bristle holder Bristle holder can be achieved because the transition part can easily deform elastically together with the bristle holder.

The anchoring part therefore preferably comprises a material which has greater flexural rigidity than the material of the transition part.

Alternatively, the two different materials can also have the same bending stiffness.

Preferably the first material is plastic. The second material is preferably plastic. Plastic is readily available and is well suited for producing the transition part and/or the anchoring part by plastic injection molding. As a result, the transition part and the anchoring part can be produced cost-effectively in large quantities.

Alternatively, the transition part and the anchoring part can also be made of another biocompatible material such as ceramic or a metal.

Preferably, the transition part has an opening which extends from a first side of the transition part to a second side of the transition part and a region of the bristle holder is located in the opening. As a result, the bristle holder is surrounded on all sides by the transition part in the area of the transition. This enables optimal guidance and support of the bristle holder through the transition part. The opening is preferably designed as a bore and has a circular cross section. In other embodiments, the opening can also have a rectangular, triangular or polygonal cross section.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the transition part is arranged only on one side of the bristle holder and does not include an opening.

The opening on the first side of the transition part advantageously has a chamfer. This means that the opening is gradually widened towards the first side of the transition part. As a result, the bristle holder located in the opening can increasingly move and bend in the opening towards the first side of the transition part. In this way, an even bending stress is achieved, whereby the otherwise existing risk of delamination and breakage of the bristle holder at the exit of the opening on the first side of the transition part can be reduced. The bevel preferably has an angle of less than 30° measured between the longitudinal axis of the opening and the surface of the bevel. This enables particularly good guidance and support of the bristle holder.

If the opening has a circular cross section, the opening preferably has a circumferential chamfer on the circumference of the opening on the first side of the transition part. If the opening has a rectangular, triangular or polygonal cross-section, the opening preferably has a chamfer on each edge of the opening on the first side of the transition part.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the transition part does not have a chamfer.

Preferably, the internal dimension of the opening is larger than the external dimension of the area of the bristle holder which is located in the opening, so that the bristle holder can be moved in the opening. The external dimension refers to the cross section of the bristle holder. This means that if the bristle holder has a substantially circular cross section, the external dimension corresponds to the external diameter of the bristle holder. The inner dimension corresponds to the smallest distance between two inner walls of the opening. If the opening has a circular cross section, the inside dimension corresponds to the inside diameter of the opening.

Since the internal dimension of the opening is larger than the external dimension of the bristle holder, the bristle holder can move in the opening and deform slightly. This means that the bristle holder is guided with some play in the opening of the transition part. This can reduce the risk of the bristle holder bending or breaking.

Alternatively, the bristle holder is guided in the opening of the transition part without play.

The transition part and the anchoring part are preferably formed in one piece. This means that the transition part and the anchoring part, which can preferably be produced individually, are connected to one another in one piece. This allows the shaft to be designed to be compact. Preferably, the transition part and the anchoring part can be connected to one another by injection molding, so that the transition part and the anchoring part are formed in one piece.

Alternatively, the transition part and the anchoring part can also not be designed in one piece, but rather consist of two individual parts, which are held together, for example, loosely by means of the bristle holder.

Preferably, the anchoring part comprises a locking element for releasably attaching the interdental brush to the handle part. By means of the locking element, the shaft can be easily and reliably attached to the handle part. This makes handling the interdental brush easier. Preferably, the locking element is designed in the form of a traverse with two arms which are arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. This enables the interdental brush to be easily locked to the handle part, for example by means of a bayonet lock.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the anchoring part does not have a locking element. In this case, the shaft can, for example, simply be inserted into an opening in the handle part.

The bristle holder is preferably made from a twisted wire. This allows the bristles to be held firmly and reliably on the bristle holder by clamping them between the turns of the twisted wire. This makes it possible to produce the bristle holder simply and cost-effectively.

Alternatively, the bristle holder can be made from a plastic rod, for example.

The bristle holder advantageously has an arcuate shape at the first end. This allows the bristle holder to be anchored particularly reliably in the shaft, since the bristle holder cannot simply be torn out of the anchoring part in the axial direction of the bristle holder or the bristle holder can rotate in an undesirable manner about its axis in the anchoring part. The arcuate shape is preferably designed as a semicircle and the rearmost region of the first end is preferably designed straight again, so that the shape is designed in the manner of a dent or bulge in the bristle holder.

The bristle holder preferably has a bristle-free section between the bristles and the first end, so that there is a distance between the bristles and the transition part.

In the bristle-free section, the bristle holder can deform particularly well elastically, since there are no bristles in this section that could prevent the bristle holder from moving. This enables the elastic deformation of the bristle holder required during use.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the bristle holder has bristles along its entire length, which is not anchored in the shaft, and therefore does not have a bristle-free section.

The invention further relates to an assortment with at least two interdental brushes as described above, each of the at least two interdental brushes comprising an individual marking on the shaft.

• Länge der Borsten,
• Dicke der Borsten,
• Elastizität der Borsten,
• Form der Borsten,
• Elastizität des Borstenhalters oder
• Verwendbarkeit für einen bestimmten Griffteil, wie zum Beispiel für einen Click-Kunststoffhalter, einen Aluminiumhalter oder auch für ein Winkelstück.

The labeling can be used to distinguish one interdental brush from another. The term “range” means at least two interdental brushes that have different properties. The interdental brushes can differ, for example, in the following properties:

• length of bristles,
• thickness of the bristles,
• elasticity of the bristles,
• shape of the bristles,
• Elasticity of the bristle holder or
• Can be used for a specific handle part, such as a click plastic holder, an aluminum holder or even an angled piece.

Thanks to the individual labeling, the interdental brush can be clearly identified in the range for the user. This simplifies the handling of several interdental brushes that have different properties.

The individual marking can be determined, for example, by the shape of the shaft, the surface structure of the parts of the shaft, the outer contour of the bristles, the color of the bristles or the colors of the parts of the shaft, the choice of material of the two parts of the shaft or the type of connection between the two parts of the shaft. For example, the shaft can have a rectangular, triangular or round cross section to identify the interdental brush.

Each of the two parts of the shaft preferably forms a code. This enables simple individual labeling. For example, the first part can have a different color than the second part of the shaft or the first part can, for example, be made of a different material than the second part of the shaft. Furthermore, the coding can also be done, for example, using laser engraving, pad printing, embossing or using insert plates. Furthermore, for example, the first part of the shaft can have a rectangular cross section and the second part of the shaft can have a round cross section. In addition, more diverse information can be encoded with a few elements per part by combining both part codings.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the individual parts of the shaft do not have any coding and are therefore not distinguishable from one another.

1. a) Bereitstellen eines Bürstenteils umfassend einen Borstenhalter und am Borstenhalter befestigte Borsten;
2. b) Bereitstellen eines Übergangteils,wobei der Übergangteil eine Öffnung aufweist, welche sich von einer ersten Seite des Übergangteils zu einer zweiten Seite des Übergangteils erstreckt;
3. c) Einschieben eines ersten Endes des Borstenhalters von der ersten Seite des Übergangteils durch die Öffnung bis ein Bereich des ersten Endes auf der zweiten Seite des Übergangteils herausragt;
4. d) Anbringen eines Verankerungsteils auf der zweiten Seite des Übergangteils, so dass der herausragende Bereich des ersten Endes des Borstenhalters im Verankerungsteil verankert ist und dass der Verankerungsteil am Übergangteil befestigt ist.

The invention further relates to a method for producing an interdental brush comprising the following steps:

1. a) providing a brush part comprising a bristle holder and bristles attached to the bristle holder;
2. b) providing a transition portion, the transition portion having an opening extending from a first side of the transition portion to a second side of the transition portion;
3. c) inserting a first end of the bristle holder from the first side of the transition part through the opening until a portion of the first end protrudes on the second side of the transition part;
4. d) attaching an anchoring part to the second side of the transition part so that the protruding portion of the first end of the bristle holder is anchored in the anchoring part and that the anchoring part is attached to the transition part.

The interdental brush can be produced efficiently using the method according to the invention. The anchoring part can be applied, for example, by means of ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, orbital welding, mirror welding or by means of gluing on the second side of the transition part. There is also the possibility that the anchoring part is attached to the second side of the transition part by spraying.

By welding the anchoring part to the transition part, by gluing the two parts or by spraying the anchoring part onto the transition part, the anchoring part and the transition part are firmly and inextricably connected to one another. This means that the shaft, which includes the transition part and the anchoring part, is formed in one piece. This enables a compact construction of the shaft.

Preferably, the anchoring part is sprayed onto the second side of the transition part by plastic injection molding. Plastics for injection molding are readily available and come with different properties. This allows the shaft of the interdental brush to be optimally adapted to the requirements. In addition, the first end of the bristle holder is reliably held in the anchoring part by spraying on the anchoring part.

After the first end of the bristle holder has been pushed through the opening, the first end is preferably deformed. Preferably, the first end of the bristle holder is deformed into an arc shape. However, the first end can also be deformed in other ways, for example by means of rectangular bends, a zigzag shape or by bending. By deforming, the first end of the bristle holder can be anchored particularly well in the anchoring part, so that the bristle holder is not torn out of the anchoring part or that the bristle holder can rotate about its longitudinal axis in the anchoring part.

If the bristle holder consists of a wire structure, the first end of the bristle holder can be easily formed into an arc shape by bending the wire.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the first end is not deformed.

Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following detailed description and the entirety of the patent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schematische Schnittansicht der erfindungsgemässen Interdentalbürste, wobei der Schnitt durch die Längsachse der Interdentalbürste verläuft,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführung der erfindungsgemässen Interdentalbürste,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht des Übergangteils der Interdentalbürste,

Fig. 4

eine Frontansicht des Übergangteils aus Figur 3,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführung eines Übergangteils,

Fig. 6

eine Frontansicht des Übergangteils aus Figur 5,

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführung eines Schafts der Interdentalbürste,

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht des Schafts aus Figur 5,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Darstellung eines Sortiments von Interdentalbürsten,

Fig. 10

eine weitere Ausführung eines Sortiments von Interdentalbürsten,

Fig. 11

eine weitere Ausführung eines Sortiments von Interdentalbürsten.

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiment show:

Fig. 1

a schematic sectional view of the interdental brush according to the invention, the section running through the longitudinal axis of the interdental brush,

Fig. 2

a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the interdental brush according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a side view of the transition part of the interdental brush,

Fig. 4

a front view of the transition part Figure 3 ,

Fig. 5

a side view of another version of a transition part,

Fig. 6

a front view of the transition part Figure 5 ,

Fig. 7

a side view of another version of a shaft of the interdental brush,

Fig. 8

a top view of the shaft Figure 5 ,

Fig. 9

a schematic representation of a range of interdental brushes,

Fig. 10

another version of a range of interdental brushes,

Fig. 11

another version of a range of interdental brushes.

Basically, the same parts are given the same reference numbers in the figures.

Ways of carrying out the invention

The Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of the interdental brush 1 according to the invention. The section runs through the longitudinal axis of the interdental brush 1. The interdental brush 1 comprises a brush part 2 and a shaft 3. The brush part 2 has a bristle area 6 for cleaning spaces between teeth. The shaft 3 establishes the connection between the brush part 2 and a handle part, not shown here.

The brush part 2 comprises a bristle holder 4 made of twisted wire and fine bristles 5 which are held between the twisted wire. In an area of a bristle-free first end 7 of the bristle holder 4, the bristle holder 4 has no bristles 5. The bristle area 6, which serves to clean the spaces between the teeth, is arranged in an area of a second end. The shaft 3 of the interdental brush 1 is formed by a transition part 8 and an anchoring part 9. The transition part 8 has a through opening 10 from a first side of the transition part 8 to a second side of the transition part 8. The first side of the transition part 8 faces towards the bristle area 8, while the second side of the transition part 8 adjoins the anchoring part 9. The bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 leads through this opening 10 of the transition part 8 and is anchored in the anchoring part 9. This means that the transition part 8 is arranged between the bristle area 6 and the bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4, while the anchoring part 9 forms the bristle-free end of the shaft 3 and thereby forms the end of the interdental brush 1. At this free end, the anchoring part 9 has a locking element in the form of a cross member 11 with two arms 12.1, 12.2 for locking the interdental brush 1 with the handle part. The handle part, not shown here, can be grasped by the user's hand, so that the user can position and move the interdental brush 1 precisely between the teeth using the handle part.

The traverse 18 is located in the area of the free end of the shaft 3 in the anchoring part 9, i.e. at the other end of the shaft than the entrance to the opening 10 with the chamfer 14. The arms 12.1, 12.2 of the traverse 11 are opposite each other arranged and protrude from the shaft 3 at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 3. The arms 12.1, 12.2 have a substantially square cross section. The handle part has two grooves that are open at the top, each groove being able to accommodate an arm 12.1, 12.2 of the traverse 11.

In order to fasten the interdental brush 1 in the handle part, the arms 12.1, 12.2 are placed in the grooves of the handle part and the interdental brush 1 is then rotated about its longitudinal axis. As a result, the arms 12.1, 12.2 are inserted further into the grooves, so that the interdental brush 1 can no longer be moved away from the handle part in the direction of its longitudinal axis. The interdental brush 1 can thus be locked to the handle part with its cross member 11 in the manner of a bayonet lock.

The Figure 2 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the interdental brush 200 according to the invention. In contrast to the first embodiment according to Figure 1 shows in the execution according to Figure 2 the interdental brush 200 has a circumferential groove 215 in the free end of the anchoring part 209. As a result, this embodiment of the interdental brush 200 requires a handle part which includes a projection which engages in the groove 2158 when the interdental brush 200 is inserted into the handle part, so that the interdental brush 200 is held in the handle part.

The individual elements of the interdental brush 1 are explained in detail below.

Like in the Figure 1 can be seen, the bristles 5 are arranged in the bristle area 6 of the bristle holder 4 over the entire circumference of the twisted wire, so that bristles 5 protrude from the twisted wire or the bristle holder 4 without gaps in all directions. The bristles 5 protrude from the twisted wire at an angle between 60° and 80° to the longitudinal axis of the bristle holder 4. The bristle holder 4 has a bristle-free area 13 between the bristle area 6 and the bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder. This means that there is a distance between the bristles 5 and the first side of the transition part 8.

In the Figure 2 It can be seen that the shaft 3 in the embodiment shown is formed by the transition part 8 and the anchoring part 9. The transition part 8 as well as the anchoring part 9 have a circular cross section. You also have the same outside diameter. The transition part 8 is made of a soft plastic by plastic injection molding while the anchoring part 9 is made of a harder plastic, which has a greater bending stiffness than the softer plastic, by injection molding compared to the transition part. The anchoring part 9 is sprayed onto the transition part 8, so that the transition part 8 and the anchoring part 9 are permanently connected to one another and are formed in one piece.

The bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 is cast into the anchoring part 9. So that the bristle holder 4 cannot be torn out of the anchoring part 9, the cast-in bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 has a semicircular shape 20. This shape ensures that the bristle-free end 7 cannot rotate about the longitudinal axis of the bristle holder 4 and cannot move in the axial direction.

The anchoring part 9 has two opposing wings 19.1, 19.2, which protrude from the anchoring part 9 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 3 in the direction of the bristles 5. The wings 19.1, 19.2 have a semicircular shape. In further embodiments, the wings 19.1, 19.2 can also have a different shape. For example, they can, as in Figures 5 and 6 shown, be triangular. The transition part 8 has two recesses which have an opposite shape and in each of which a wing 19.1, 19.2 is received, so that the outer contour of the shaft 3 maintains a cylindrical shape over its entire length. The wings 19.1, 19.2 of the anchoring part 9 increase the contact area between the anchoring part 9 and the transition part 8. As a result, the anchoring part 9 can be connected particularly well to the anchoring part 9 when it is sprayed onto the transition part 8. The enlarged contact area is advantageous in designs in which the anchoring part 9 is connected to the transition part 8 by means of ultrasonic, vibration, orbital or mirror welding or by gluing.

The anchoring part 9 is made of colored plastic (for example violet), while the transition part 8 is made of a different colored plastic (for example black). This means that there is a coding that makes the elasticity of the bristles and the length of the bristles easily recognizable to the user. In one In another version, the coding can also be done using laser engraving, pad printing, embossing or insert plates.

In the Figures 3 and 4 the transition part 8 is shown without the brush part 2. The Figure 3 shows the transition part 8 in a side view. In the Figure 4 the transition part 8 is shown in a front view. This means that the transition part 8 is compared to Figure 3 shown rotated by 90° around its longitudinal axis. In the Figures 3 and 4 the recesses 18.1, 18.2, into which the wings 19.1, 19.2 of the anchoring part 9 are received, can be seen.

In the Figures 3 and 4 It can also be seen that the opening 10 in the transition part 8 is continuous. The opening has a circular cross section. The inside diameter of the opening 10 is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the bristle holder 4, so that it can move in the opening. In the transition part 8, the opening 10 has a chamfer 14 on the first side of the transition part 8. The bevel 14 becomes larger towards the entrance of the opening 10 or towards the first side of the transition part 8. As a result, the chamfer 14 has a hyperbolic shape in cross section, as can be seen in the Figures 3 and 4 .

Through this chamfer 14, the bristle holder 4, which is in the Figures 3 and 4 is not shown, move towards the entrance of the opening 10 on the first side of the transition part 8 in the opening 10 and bend. This creates a continuous transition from the first end 7 of the bristle holder 4, which is immovably and firmly cast in the anchoring part 9, to the freely movable bristle area 6.

The Figures 5 and 6 show a further version of a transition part 108 without a brush part 2. In contrast to the transition part 8 in the Figures 3 and 4 , indicates execution in the Figures 5 and 6 triangular recesses 118.1, 118.2, into which correspondingly triangular wings 19.1, 19.2 of an anchoring part 9 can be accommodated.

In the Figures 7 and 8 a further version of a shaft 303 of the interdental brush without brush part 2 is shown. This shows Figure 7 the shaft 303 in a side view. The upper area of the shaft 303 is shown as a sectional view, the section in this area runs through the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303. This makes the opening 310 in the shaft 303 easier to see. In addition, the shaft 303 is not shown in its entire length for reasons of space. The Figure 8 shows a top view of the shaft Figure 7 .

The one in the Figures 7 and 8 Shaft 303 shown is used for a further embodiment of the interdental brush according to the invention. This differs from the execution according to Figures 1 and 2 in production. When using the interdental brush as per Figures 7 and 8 During production, the anchoring part 309 is not subsequently sprayed on as described above, but has been manufactured individually beforehand together with the transition part 308. The bristle holder 4 is then inserted with its bristle-free end 7 into the opening 310 in the shaft 303 and glued into the shaft 303. For the sake of clarity, in the Figures 7 and 8 However, only the shaft 303 is shown without the bristle holder 4.

In the Figure 5 It can be seen that the opening 310 in the shaft 303 leads through the transition part 308 and ends in the anchoring part 309. The opening 310 is formed by three inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3 and has a triangular cross section, with all sides of the triangular cross section being the same length. This shape of opening 310 is in Figure 8 clearly visible. It can be seen that the opening 310 is not continuous and has a termination approximately in the longitudinal direction in the middle of the shaft 303, which is formed by a termination surface which is aligned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303. In an end region 311 of the opening 310 it also has a taper. This means that the inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3 run towards each other in this end region 311.

In the transition part 308, the opening 310 has a chamfer 314 on the first side of the transition part 308, which points towards the bristle part. The chamfer 314 includes first chamfer surfaces 315.1, 315.2, 315.3, which were produced by chamfering with a conventional circular and conical chamfer cutter. The chamfer 314 further includes second chamfer surfaces 316.1, 316.2, 316.3, which were produced by chamfering the three inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3. This means that the three inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3 each go into one of the first sides of the transition part 308 second chamfer surfaces 316.1, 316.2, 316.3. The first chamfer surfaces 315.1, 315.2, 315.3 have an angle of 20° to 30° to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303 and the second chamfer surfaces 316.1, 316.2, 316.3 are aligned at an angle of less than 30° to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303.

As in Figure 7 As can be seen, the anchoring part 309 has an end region with a slightly smaller outside diameter at its free end, so that a shoulder 316 is formed in the anchoring part 309. Furthermore, the anchoring part 309 has a circumferential groove 319 in this end region with the smaller outside diameter. In addition, in this end region, the anchoring part 309 is cut in the longitudinal direction of the anchoring part 309, so that the anchoring part 309 has a surface 318 which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anchoring part 309. At the end of the anchoring part 309, the anchoring part 309 is also chamfered, so that the anchoring part 309 can be inserted more easily into an opening in the handle part, not shown. The handle part into which the shaft 303 is inserted has a corresponding counter-shape, so that the surface 318 rests on a counter surface in the handle part when the shaft 303 is connected to the handle part. Furthermore, the handle part has a projection which engages in the groove 319 of the anchoring part 309 in order to hold the shaft 303 when the shaft 303 is inserted into the handle part.

In the Figure 9 is a schematic and simplified representation of an assortment of interdental brushes 100.1 - 100.5. The range includes, for example, five interdental brushes 100.1 - 100.5, each with bristles of different hardness and shape. So that the interdental brushes 100.1 - 100.5 can be distinguished by the user, each shaft has a different coding. For this purpose, the transition part 108.1 - 108.5 is preferably colored differently than the anchoring part 109.1 - 109.5. The color of the anchoring part 109.1 - 109.5 preferably represents the elasticity of the bristles and the color of the transition part 108.1 - 108.5 preferably represents the shape or length of the bristles. In another embodiment, the coding can also be based on the shape of the shaft. For example, each anchoring part 109.1 - 109.5 or each transition part 108.1 - 108.5 can have a different cross section, for example rectangular, triangular or round. With a certain combination of cross sections of the anchoring parts 109.1 - 109.5 and the transition parts 108.1 - 108.5, individual labeling of the interdental brush 100.1 - 100.5 can also be made possible.

The Figure 10 shows another version of an assortment with interdental brushes 500.1 - 500.5. In contrast to the range in Figure 9 indicate the in Figure 10 The interdental brushes 500.1 - 500.5 shown each have a groove in the shaft, into which a projection of the handle part engages when the interdental brushes 500.1 - 500.5 are each held in the handle part.

In the Figure 11 Another version of an assortment with interdental brushes 600.1 - 600.6 is shown. These interdental brushes 600.1 - 600.6 have a bristle head that has a spherical, parallelogram-like or triangular outer contour.

The arrangements in the Figures 9 to 11 are not limited to the combinations shown. For example, the interdental brushes 600.1 - 600.6 can also be made from the Figure 11 or the interdental brushes 500.1 - 500.5 from the Figure 10 have a crossbar for connecting to the handle part like the interdental breasts 400.1 - 400.5. Furthermore, any combination of all interdental brushes 400.1 - 400.5, 500.1 - 500.5 and 600.1 - 600.6 shown can be arranged in an assortment.

The invention is not limited to the design of the interdental brush described here. For example, the shaft of the interdental brush can also have an opening that has a rectangular or polygonal cross section. In addition, the chamfer on the transition part can also be shaped differently. There is also the possibility that the transition part and/or the anchoring part do not have a cylindrical cross section but, for example, a rectangular or polygonal cross section. Furthermore, the interdental brush does not necessarily have to have a locking element and if it includes one, this does not have to be designed as a crossbar or in the form of a groove as described above. The brush part can also be designed differently. For example, the bristle holder can be made from a plastic.

In summary, it can be stated that an interdental brush is created which has an improved reception of the bristle holder in the shaft and which includes a shaft which is easy to produce.

Claims (24)

1. Interdental brush (1) comprising a brush part (2) and a shaft (3) for detachably attaching the interdental brush to a handle part, wherein the brush part (2) comprises a bristle holder (4) and bristles (5) attached to the bristle holder (4) and wherein the bristle holder (4) has a first end (7) at which the bristle holder (4) is anchored in the shaft (3), characterized in that the shaft (3) is made of two parts (8, 9) to that effect that each part (8) is manufactured individually and is connected to the other part (9).
2. Interdental brush (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (3) comprises two different materials.
3. Interdental brush (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shaft (3) comprises a transition part (8) and an anchoring part (9), wherein the first end (7) of the bristle holder (4) is anchored in the anchoring part (9).
4. Interdental brush (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) has a bristle area (6), wherein the transition part (8) is arranged between the anchored first end (7) and the bristle area (6) of the bristle holder (4).
5. Interdental brush (1) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the transition part (8) comprises a first of the two materials and the anchoring part (9) comprises a second of the two materials.
6. Interdental brush (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the second material has a greater bending stiffness than the first material.
7. Interdental brush (1) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the transition part (8) has an opening (10) which stretches from a first side of the transition part (8) to a second side of the transition part (8) and wherein an area of the bristle holder (4) is arranged in the opening (10).
8. Interdental brush (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening (10) at the first side of the transition part (8) has a bevel (14).
9. Interdental brush (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that an inner dimension of the opening (10) is larger than an outer dimension of the area of the bristle holder (4) that is arranged in the opening (10), so that the bristle holder (4) is movable in the opening (10).
10. Interdental brush (1) according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the transition part (8) and the anchoring part (9) are formed in one piece.
11. Interdental brush (1) according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the anchoring part (9) comprises a locking element (11) for releasable fastening of the interdental brush (1) to the handle part.
12. Interdental brush (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) is made of a twisted wire.
13. Interdental brush (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) has an arcuate formation at the first end (7).
14. Interdental brush (1) according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) has a bristle-free section between the bristles (5) and the first end (7), so that there is a distance between the bristles (5) and the transition part (8).
15. Assortment comprising at least two interdental brushes (1) according to one of claims 1 - 14, characterized in that each of the at least two interdental brushes (1) comprises an individual marking on the shaft (3).
16. Assortment according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the two parts of the shaft (3) forms a coding.
17. Method of manufacturing an interdental brush (1) comprising the following steps:

    a) Providing a brush part (2) comprising a bristle holder (4) and bristles (5) attached to the bristle holder (4);

    b) Providing a transition part (8) made of a first plastic, wherein the transition part (8) has an opening (10) extending from a first side of the transition part (8) to a second side of the transition part (8);

    c) Insertion of a first end (7) of the bristle holder (4) from the first side of the transition part (8) through the opening (10) until an area of the first end (7) protrudes from the second side of the transition part (8);

    d) Attaching an anchoring part (9) to the second side of the transition part (8), so that the protruding area of the first end (7) of the bristle holder (4) is anchored in the anchoring part (9) and that the anchoring part (9) is fixed to the transition part (8).
18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that after the insertion of the first end (7) of the bristle holder (4) through the opening (10), the first end (7) is deformed.
19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the transition part (8) and the anchoring part (9) are made of two different materials.
20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the transition part (8) comprises a first of the two materials and the anchoring part (9) comprises a second of the two materials, wherein the second material has a greater bending stiffness than the first material.
21. Method according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the opening (10) at the first side of the transition part (8) has a bevel (14).
22. Method according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the anchoring part (9) comprises a locking element (11) for releasable fastening of the interdental brush (1) to the handle part.
23. Method according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) is made of a twisted wire.
24. Method according to one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) has an arcuate formation at the first end (7).

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