GB2208470A

GB2208470A - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: GB2208470A
Application number: GB8719448A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Lim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-08-18
Filing date: 1987-08-18
Publication date: 1989-04-05
Also published as: GB8719448D0

Abstract

A toothbrush comprises a bristle - carrying head connected to a handle via a shank portion, the bristles extending substantially perpendicularly from the head. The head is characterised in that it comprises a main, centre portion and two end portions arranged proximally and distally, respectively, to the handle. The bristles extend towards the handle at the proximal end and away from the handle at the distal end. Such a toothbrush enables a person to efficiently clean someone else's teeth. <IMAGE>

Description

A TOOTHBRUSH This invention relates to a toothbrush.

The need of a toothbrush in the maintenance of oral hygiene has Jorlg been established. Several brushing techniques have been advocated and approved by the Dental profession. The common aims in all of these are to remove plaque and oral debris from the tooth surfaces and to massage the supportive gum tissue thereby promoting health and fu@ction All toothbrushes marketed today are variations of designs to enable a person brush his or her own teeth effectively.

Toothbrushes specially adapted for brushing denture llavr @ large curved head, the surface into which the bristle are fixed I?njfl planar.

There is a large sector of the population who are unable to do this for themselves. These are infants, young children the physically and mentally handicapped, the old and the infirm.

This invention enables a person, a relation or helper to brush someone elses teeth for them efficiently and without due strain on teeth parties.

A new toothbrush according to the invention comprises a handle, a heari which carries bristles attached into and extending substantially perpendicularly from its bristle carrying surface, and a shank connecting the head in which the bristle carrying surface comprises a main portion and end portions proximal and distal to the handle.

The end portions are arranged such that the attached bristles extend toward the handle at the primal end, and away from the handle at the distal end.

Preferably the longitudinal axis of the head is set at an angle in the range of 10 to 60 degrees to the long axis of the handle, more preferably at an angle in the range of 30 to 50 degres, e. about 45 degrees. Thus the main portion of the bristle carrying surface faces away from the handle and the attached bristles, which extend perpendicularly. extend away from the handle.

In the Preferred embodiment, the shank is attached to the head on a surface opposing the bristle carrying surface at a position midway between the to ends of the head.

In this embodiment, the head extends beyond the joint in both directions so that the bristles can be set along the miin nart and then around the end surfaces of the head extending beyond the joint.

This way,the bristles point toward the handle at the pro,:irnal end and away from the handle at the distal end.

The shank may have substantially the same longitudinal axis as that of the handle, or the shank axis may be at an angle to the handle i.

For ease of operation, the handle is shaped so that it is adapted for a pen-grip. This may be provided with flattened regions for the thumb and appropriate fingers eg. first and second, to bear against.

Preferably, the handle is also provided with a shoulder at its end adjacent to the shank to prevent the grip of the user slipping and to facilitate a standard grip should it be required.

The bristles are for instance of multi tufted nylon filaments each of approximately 0.007mm diameter.

There would be a variation in lengths and sizes according to the different applications. Smaller for infants, about i3Omm overall length, to 150mm for children, to 170mm for adults.

The toothbrush of the invention dan be made by normal moulding techniques for making toothbrushes and the conventional processes for applying bristles.

By providing the bristles attached to the distal and proximal end portions as defined access to the teeth surface is imyzros Furthermore, the pen-grip aids the user. The toothbrush can also be used with the normal grip, to facilitate the normal brushing strokes.

The toothbrush is of special use on infants. children and the old and can also be used to clean dentures and obturators, to brush t,he tenth of persons with cleft palates or in the presence of fixed devices in the mouth such as orthodontic bands and splints for jaw fixation in fractures of the jaw.

The toothbrush is adaptable for both right and left hand users.

The shape of the brush allows the user to reach ant par t cf a person's mouth without difficulty and by standing behir td the person. the i'nr is protected from chokes and splutters The invention is further illustrated in the accompanying drains in which: Fig.1 is a front view of the embodiment of the inventlon.

Fig.2 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in Fig.1 Fig.3 is a sketch of the relative positions of the operator and "patient" in use of the invention.

Figs.4,5 are diagrammatic representations showing the position of the brush in use on the front (buccal) surfaces of the front teeth.

Figs.6,7 are diagrammatic representations showing the position of the brush in use on the back (lingual) surfaces of the front teeth.

Fig.819,10 are diagrammatic representations of the position of the brush in use on the back teeth.

Claims

1. A toothbrush comprising a handle, the head which carries bristles attached into and extending substantially perpendicularly from its bristle carrying surface, and a shank connecting the head to the handle in which the bristle carrying surface comprises a main portion and end portions proximal and distal to the handle.

The end portions are arranged such that the attached bristles extend towards the handle proximally and away from the handle distally.

2. A toothbrush according to claim 1 in which the longitudinal axis of the head is set at an angle in the range of 10 degrees to Go degrees to the longitudinal axis of the handle in a plane through the handle and substantially perpendicular to the bristle carrying surface so that the main portion of the bristle carrying surface faces away from the handle.