EP4052608A1 - Toothbrush head and manufacturing method - Google Patents
Toothbrush head and manufacturing method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4052608A1 EP4052608A1 EP21382185.3A EP21382185A EP4052608A1 EP 4052608 A1 EP4052608 A1 EP 4052608A1 EP 21382185 A EP21382185 A EP 21382185A EP 4052608 A1 EP4052608 A1 EP 4052608A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- head
- core
- base
- bristles
- coupling
- 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.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 11
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 47
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000001680 brushing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004433 Thermoplastic polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 17
- 229920002803 thermoplastic polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 17
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 9
- XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Chemical compound C=CC=C.C=CC#N.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 XECAHXYUAAWDEL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 235000019589 hardness Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 4
- 210000003484 anatomy Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012994 photoredox catalyst Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- -1 Polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000005489 elastic deformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
- A46B5/0004—Additional brush head
- A46B5/0012—Brushes with two or more heads on the same end of a handle for simultaneous use, e.g. cooperating with each-other
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/005—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B7/00—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
- A46B7/04—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body interchangeably removable bristle carriers
- A46B7/042—Clip or snap connection for bristle carriers
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A46B9/026—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat
-
- 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
- A46B9/045—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes specially adapted for cleaning a plurality of tooth surfaces simultaneously
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/06—Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
- A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
Definitions
- the present invention toothbrush head, relates to a toothbrush head that has two opposite bases, an outer one and an inner one, which, linked to each other by a central bridge that defines an intermediate space therebetween, include respective sets of outer and inner bristles which emerge facing each other, there also being a third set of central bristles which emerge from the surfaces of the aforementioned joining bridge, with which said head enables the entire surface of the teeth to be brushed at the same time, effortlessly accessing both the upper portion thereof as well as the outer and inner portion.
- the invention relates to the method for manufacturing said head.
- toothbrushes although they can have different designs, are usually made up of a head that includes a single base with a single set of bristles all oriented towards the same side.
- the aforementioned set of bristles may comprise groups of bristles with different lengths or different angles, to brush the surface of the teeth, to especially access the inner face of the same and of the molars in particular, it is necessary to perform operations for orienting the handle in order to correctly insert the head of the brush inside the open mouth so that said bristles access all the nooks and crannies of the inner portion of the teeth, making it difficult for most users to brush correctly and especially being a task of enormous difficulty for people with reduced mobility or for their caregivers.
- the objective of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a toothbrush and head that avoids said problems and facilitates said access, avoiding such manoeuvres by developing a head with bristles oriented so that they reach all faces of all the teeth in the mouth and the gum line at the same time, without having to place the handle in awkward positions or without having to open the mouth wide to do so.
- a first object of the present invention is a toothbrush head according to claim 1. That which the invention proposes, as noted above, is a toothbrush whose head, instead of only having one base provided with a single set of bristles that all emerge oriented in the same direction for brushing the surface of the teeth, is distinguished by comprising two opposite bases, an outer base and an inner base, which are linked to each other by a central bridge that defines an intermediate space therebetween. Integrated into the inner faces of the bases are cleaning elements, preferably bristles, which will be in contact with the teeth and gums.
- the central bridge has a flat partition configuration wherein the central bristles emerge from the two opposite surfaces or faces thereof.
- Said central bridge could be extendable, such that when specific pressure is exerted on the head of the brush, the length of the bridge will adapt to different tooth sizes, mainly the width thereof, adjusting the gap existing between the outer and inner bristles.
- the outer bristles, associated with the inner face of the outer base, and the inner bristles, associated with the inner face of the inner base are arranged so that they emerge from the surface of the outer base at a certain angle of inclination.
- said angle is between 40° and 50°, preferably 45°, such that the outer surface of the tooth can be targeted with said inclination, as recommended by the brushing technique known as the "Bass technique".
- the inner bristles are inclined between 20° and 35°, preferably 30°, to target the inner surface of the teeth, as well as the gum line.
- the central bristles, located on the central partition are also at an angle of between 40° and 50°, preferably 45°.
- These central bristles preferably have several faces, more preferably a frustopyramidal shape, the different faces of which enable brushing efficiency to be improved as the brush moves from left to right inside the mouth.
- the head of the brush of the invention is made up of several components obtained by injection, and which are assembled together by means of coupling elements, preferably mechanical coupling, with the aim of achieving the aforementioned angles in the bristles for optimal brushing of all tooth surfaces.
- the head comprises:
- the bridge can be integrated into the outer base, into the inner base or be independent of both.
- TPU or TPE preferably in TPU, injection manufacturing of the aforementioned components enables the head to be manufactured according to a process that achieves the objectives for which it has been designed, specifically:
- a thickness of the central bristles preferably with a frustopyramidal shape, which preferably varies between a length of between 2.1 and 3.8 mm, a width of between 0.5 and 0.8 mm and a height of between 1 and 2.6 mm.
- the reinforcing cores are preferably made of PP (Polypropylene), PC (Polycarbonate) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).
- a second object of the invention is a method for manufacturing a toothbrush head according to claim 13.
- the method for manufacturing the head object of the invention comprises the following steps:
- the mechanical assembly is carried out by tongue-and-groove means when inserting the second body into the first body, although it could also be the other way around, i.e., the first body into the second body.
- the coupling is preferably carried out by clipping one part inside another, achieving a coupling that is not reversible, in other words, it does not enable both bodies to be separated, unless a separation force much greater than the force for inserting one part into the other is applied.
- the preferred coupling mechanism for joining the two bodies is a clip, loop, snap-fit or press-fit.
- the two bodies fit together through the elastic deformation of at least one of the bodies so that interference occurs therebetween when at least one male element is inserted into at least one female element.
- At least one of the two bodies has interfering means such that when the male element is inserted into the female element, at least one of the two is temporarily deformed to overcome the interfering means, and after overcoming them, it returns to the undeformed situation thereof, leaving the male element coupled in the female element.
- both bodies The locking of both bodies is permanent to prevent both from separating and prevent the coupling from being disassembled, releasing the lock, when the toothbrush is being used, with the consequent risk for the user of the brush.
- there may or may not be a relative movement between both bodies such that it enables the bridge to be extended in order to adapt to different tooth sizes or, on the contrary, that the length of the bridge is fixed.
- Said extension of the bridge can be due to the elastic characteristics of the material of the same bridge or to elastic means arranged in the coupling between both bodies or to telescopic means arranged in the coupling between both bodies.
- this coupling can be strengthened by means of an adhesive or ultrasonic welding.
- both the first core and the second core are hidden, such that the inner and outer bases, being made of TPE/TPU, make it easier to adapt to different tooth and gum thicknesses, as well as to different dental anatomies.
- the central bridge, incorporated in the inner part or the outer part, and therefore also made of TPE/TPU, is also flexible so that it can open and thus adapt to different molar sizes.
- the coupling between the outer and inner body of the head can be extendable thanks to the existence of an inner guide in the central bridge with an elastic or accordion-shaped coupling that enables it to move longitudinally when a certain force is applied with the brush inside the mouth, creating the separation between the two portions of the head, and to return to the initial position thereof when said force is no longer applied.
- outer base, outer bristles, outer body or outer portion of the head and inner base, inner bristles, outer body or inner portion of the head means that, when using the brush on the teeth, the former are located on the outer side of the teeth and the latter on the inner side, enabling simultaneous brushing of both portions of the teeth as well as the upper portion by means of the central bristles found on the central bridge of the head.
- the outer body of the head through the outer base, may be joined to the handle by means of a fixed joint or by means of an articulated joint, which enables certain movement of said head with respect to the handle to further improve the accessibility of the same to all parts of the teeth.
- the coupling between the handle and the head is preferably carried out through the first core on which the outer part is over-injected, since said core has an outer end, opposite to the end of coupling to the inner part, when the first core is used as a coupling body, which incorporates means for coupling the handle.
- the central bridge (7) has a flat partition configuration with central bristles (3c) emerging from the respective opposite faces thereof.
- the head (2) comprises:
- the bridge is incorporated into the outer part (9) but it could also be incorporated into the inner part (6), in which case, the first core would be the one to include the anchoring tabs for the coupling thereof to the bridge.
- the outer part (9) and the inner part (11) are made of TPE or TPU and the first and second cores (10, 12) are made of PP, PC or ABS.
- the peripheral surface of the outer portion (A), specifically the one that defines the outer base (5) and, in turn, defines the area peripheral to the portion of the first core (10) that has an end (14) for coupling the handle (4), being made of TPE/TPU, is flexible, which enables said portion to be adapted to different dental anatomies and, at the same time, the central bridge (7) is also flexible so that it is can open and thus adapt to different molar sizes.
- the outer part (9) is over-injected to the first core (10), in turn previously obtained by injection, forming the outer portion or body (A) of the head, and the inner part (11) is over-injected to the second core (12), which is also a part previously obtained by injection, forming the inner portion or body (B).
- the joint between the outer portion (A) and the inner portion (B) of the head is extendable, so that the separation space (8) adapts to different tooth sizes ( Figures 10 and 11 ) by means of an inner guide (15) of the central bridge (7), with an elastic clasp ( Figure 11 ) or with an accordion-shaped element (16) ( Figure 12 ), which enables it to move longitudinally when a certain force is applied and return to the initial position thereof when the force is no longer applied.
- the handle (4) preferably comprises a centrepiece (4a) obtained by injection made of PP, PC or ABS, with an over-injected cover (4b) made of TPE or TPU.
- the coupling end (4d) of the handle with the end (14) of the core (10) has lateral recesses into which complementary projections existing on the outer base (5) and associated with projections at the end (14) of the core (10) are inserted, as seen in greater detail in Figure 5 .
- Figure 15 shows an alternative brush, similar to that of Figure 14 , in which the head has slight modifications with respect to the head shown and described in said figure and it also shows coupling means between the first part and the handle different from those shown.
- the core (10) has at the end (14) thereof two projections (14a) with through holes.
- the end (4d) of the handle (4) Arranged between said two projections (14a) is the end (4d) of the handle (4) which has a hollow coinciding with the through holes of the projections (14a) at the end (14) of the core (10).
- a pin (4c) is inserted which passes through the through holes in the end (14a) of the core (10) and the hollow end (4d) of the handle (4). In this way, it also enables the handle (4) to be rotated with respect to the head of the brush (1).
- the head (2) of the brush (1) of the invention is made up of several parts obtained by injection and joined together by ultrasonic welding.
- the head (2) comprises:
- the head (2) is made up of a single monobloc part (17) made of plastic material obtained by injection, into which the outer base (5), the central bridge (7) and the inner base (6) are integrated, and which incorporates the respective sets of outer bristles (3a), central bristles (3c) and inner bristles (3b) made of TPU, TPE or LSR and joined to said part by adhesive glue.
- the outer base (5) has an end (14), it being envisaged, in any of the embodiments described, that said coupling between the head (2) and the handle (4) can be mobile in order to enable the relative movement between both portions of the brush (1).
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP21382185.3A EP4052608A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2021-03-05 | Toothbrush head and manufacturing method |
PCT/ES2022/070108 WO2022184954A1 (es) | 2021-03-05 | 2022-03-01 | Cabezal para cepillo de dientes y metodo de fabricacion |
US18/279,997 US20240148132A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2022-03-01 | Toothbrush head and manufacturing method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP21382185.3A EP4052608A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2021-03-05 | Toothbrush head and manufacturing method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4052608A1 true EP4052608A1 (en) | 2022-09-07 |
Family
ID=75362549
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21382185.3A Pending EP4052608A1 (en) | 2021-03-05 | 2021-03-05 | Toothbrush head and manufacturing method |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20240148132A1 (es) |
EP (1) | EP4052608A1 (es) |
WO (1) | WO2022184954A1 (es) |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4428091A (en) * | 1981-12-14 | 1984-01-31 | Janssen Thomas B | Toothbrush |
WO1991013570A1 (en) * | 1990-03-16 | 1991-09-19 | Hegemann International Ltd. | Rotary toothbrush |
FR3047892A1 (fr) * | 2017-06-08 | 2017-08-25 | Yann Castaldo | Tete de brossage pour brosse a dents electrique, et brosse a dents electrique associee |
-
2021
- 2021-03-05 EP EP21382185.3A patent/EP4052608A1/en active Pending
-
2022
- 2022-03-01 US US18/279,997 patent/US20240148132A1/en active Pending
- 2022-03-01 WO PCT/ES2022/070108 patent/WO2022184954A1/es active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4428091A (en) * | 1981-12-14 | 1984-01-31 | Janssen Thomas B | Toothbrush |
WO1991013570A1 (en) * | 1990-03-16 | 1991-09-19 | Hegemann International Ltd. | Rotary toothbrush |
FR3047892A1 (fr) * | 2017-06-08 | 2017-08-25 | Yann Castaldo | Tete de brossage pour brosse a dents electrique, et brosse a dents electrique associee |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2022184954A1 (es) | 2022-09-09 |
US20240148132A1 (en) | 2024-05-09 |
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