GB2116027A

GB2116027A - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: GB2116027A
Application number: GB08202954A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Eric John Hunt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-02
Filing date: 1982-02-02
Publication date: 1983-09-21

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning teeth or dentures in which a brush 1 with radial bristle is made to rotate about its longitudinal axis to produce a brushing action continuously in one direction. A means 27 for selectably reversing the direction of rotation of the brush is incorporated so that the brushing action changes from a first direction to a direction opposite to the first direction. The brush is applied to the teeth or dentures and a direction of rotation is selected such that the brushing action is in a direction away from the gum or denture plate. The action of brushing the teeth continuously in one direction away from the gum effectively removes plaque from the surface of the teeth whilst avoiding any brushing action which could push plaque upwards into the gum or sideways into tooth crevices. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Toothbrush This invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning teeth or dentures with a brush.

The cleaning of teeth or dentures with a brush requires the effective removal of the coating (plaque) from the surface of the teeth and also the removal of debris which is trapped in the gum and tooth crevices. Scrubbing the teeth with an up and down reciprocating action causes some of the coating and/or debris to be pushed into the gum, particularly during that part of scrubbing action which is towards the gum. Scrubbing the teeth with a side to side reciprocating action pushes some of the coating and/or debris into the vertical crevices between the teeth, particularly during that part of the scrubbing action when the direction changes. Side to side reciprocating action can not effectively remove the coating and debris. Up and down reciprocating action is only effective during that part of the action when the brush is moving away from the gum.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cleaning teeth or dentures wherein the above disadvantages may be overcome.

According to the invention an apparatus for cleaning teeth or dentures comprises: a brush means for moving the brush so as to produce a brushing action continuously in one direction; and means for selectably changing the direction of the brushing action between a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction.

One apparatus in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric elevation of part of the apparatus, applied to an upper set of teeth.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view on the line AA in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an isometric elevation of part of the apparatus applied to a lower set of teeth, Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view on the line BB in Figure 3, Figures 5(a), 5(h) and 5(c) shows respectively an isometric elevation and cross-sectional views of part of the apparatus, and Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the apparatus.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus (shown more fully in Figure 6) for cleaning teeth includes a brush (1). The brush (1) is cylindrical in form and has radial bristles (2). In use of the apparatus the bristles (2) are applied to the outer surface (10) of a top set of teeth (3) with the axis (4) of the brush (1) parallel to the surface of the teeth (3) and perpendicular to the vertical axis (5) of the teeth (3). As will be more fully described below, the brush is made to rotate about its axis (4) in a direction (6) at a speed of preferably 200-300 rpm such that the bristles (2) in contact with the tooth surfaces move away from the upper gum or plate (7).The apparatus incorporates a means (27) (see Figure 6) of reversing the direction of rotation of the brush (1) so that when the brush (1) is applied to the inside surface (8) of the teeth (3) the bristles (2) in contact with the tooth surfaces (8) move in a direction (9) away from the upper gum or plate (7). The cross-section view AA in Figure 2, shows how the brush (1) applied to the outer surface (10) of the upper teeth (3), rotates in direction (6) so that the bristles (2) move away from the upper gum (7) and when applied to the inner surface (8) of the upper teeth (3) the brush (1) rotates in the opposite direction (9) so that the bristles (2) still move away from the upper gum (7).

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, the brush (1) is shown applied to the outer surface (11) of a lower set of teeth (12). The direction of rotation (13) is opposite to the direction of rotation (6) (shown in Figures 1 and 2), so that the bristles (2) move away from the lower gum (14). The cross-section view BB in Figure 3 shows how the brush (1) applied to the outer surface (11) of the lower teeth (12) rotates in direction (13) so that the bristles (2) move away from the lower gum (14), and when applied to the inner surface (15) of the lower teeth (12) the brush (1) rotates in the opposite direction (16) so that the bristles (2) still move away from the lower gum (14).

Referring now to Figure 5, a cylindrical shield (17) (which for the sake of clarity is not shown in Figures 1,2,3 and 4) surrounds the brush (1) such that the non-operating part of the brush is covered, thus protecting the user's cheeks, lips and tongue from the brushing action.

Referring now to Figure 6, the apparatus (20) comprises the brush (1), shield (17) and means (21) for reversibly driving the brush. The brush (1) is axially mounted on a shaft (22) by means of a square drive shaft (23). The shaft (22) is coupled to the output shaft of a reduction gearbox (24), which is driven by a motor (25) such that the brush rotates preferably at 200-300 rpm. The motor is energised by an accumulator (26) which provides power to the motor via a reversing switch (27). The reduction gearbox (24), motor (25), accumulator (26) and reversing switch (27) are housed in a cylindrical body (28) which can be held in the hand. The body (28) has a cylindrical extension (29) at the gearbox (24) end and a screw retaining cap (30) at the accumulator (26) end.The extension (29) has an axial bore (31) which provides the support for the shaft (22) and a stepped register (32) on its outside diameter which provides a push fit location for the shield (17). The push fit location enables easy removal of the shield (17) so that it may be changed for different users.

The end of the shaft (22) remote from the gearbox (24) has an axial square section recess (33) which provides a push fit location for the square shaft (23) on the brush (1). The push fit location enables easy removal of the brush (1)so that it may be changed for different users.

Thus it will be appreciated that the apparatus can clean teeth in the most effective way by providing a continuous brushing action in a direction away from the gum. The means for reversing the direction of rotation of the brush ensures that the apparatus can be applied to any area of the teeth on upper or lower set and still brush away from the gum.

Claims

CLAIMS (filed on 30.11.82)

1. An apparatus for cleaning teeth or dentures with a brush characterized by bristle radiating from a central stem along part of the length of the stem.

2. A means for rotating the brush as claimed in Claim 1, such that the brush stem rotates abouts its longitudinal axis to produce a brushing action continuously in one direction.

3. A means for selectably changing the direction of rotation of the brush as claimed in Claim 1 and 2, such that the direction of the brushing action changes between a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction.