GB2323035A - Re-usable interdental cleansing member - Google Patents

Abstract

The member comprises an inner core 1, which may be in tape form, of high tensile strength material and an outer matrix 2 of elastomeric material that is hard-wearing, washable and reversibly deformable. The core may be of nylon or PTFE and the matrix may be of polyetherurethane or ethylenevinylacetate. The components may have varying profile shapes and the core may be produced by extrusion in single or multiple stranded form. The matrix may then be coated onto the pre-formed inner core by a repeat extrusion.

Description

A reusable interdental cleansing member This invention relates two an interdental cleansing member comprising of a core made of high tensile strength material embedded in a matrix of an elastomeric material Interdental cleansing has been an important part of dental hygiene routine and has been universally endorsed for prevention of dental disease. Current interdental cleansers have been made from multistranded nylon extrusions (floss), latex strips (tapes) or polytetrafluoroethylene tape . Some of these have been coated with wax to enhance the surface properties so as to facilitate easy insertion between tight teeth contacts.

However all the current interdental cleansers are not capable of repeat uses as they deteriorate enormously during single use or at least during one session of interdental cleansing.

According to the present invention , there is provided a core of high tensile strength material such as nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene . This core is embedded in a matrix of a elastomeric material such as polyetherurethane or ethylenevinylacetate . This outer component of the interdental cleanser is hardwearing and water stable thus capable of repeated uses for several sessions . It deforms to facilitate insertion between teeth but regains its original profile because of its property of good elastic memory. The inner and outer components may have varying profile shapes . The inner core may be produced by extrusion and may be single stranded, multiple stranded or tape form The outer matrix may be coated onto the preformed inner core by a repeat extrusion as in a electrical wire coating machinery. Alternatively , the two components can be extruded simultaneously using a two bore die. The outer dimensions would fall within the range of current interdental cleansers A simple embodiment of the invention is discribed first by way of example with reference to the accomanying diagram in which Figure 1 shows the invention in section comprising an inner core 1 , made from a high tensile strength material such as nylon and used in multiple strand form and a outer matrix 2 , made from an elastomeric material such as polyetherurethane . This is capable of reversible deformation during use and is water stable.

A more desirable embodiment of the invention will now be discribed by way of example with reference to the accompaning drawing in which: Figure 2 shows the inner core 1 in tape form made from polytetrafluoroethylene and the outer matrix 2 , of uniform thickness made from polyetherurethane. The outer dimensions are approximately 0.5mm by 0.2 mm.

Claims (1)

1. Claims

   1 An interdental cleansing member that is washable and reusable over several days and does not significantly deteriorate during repeated use 2 An interdental cleansing member as in claim 1 comprising of an inner core embedded in an outer matrix 3 An interdental cleansing member as in claim 1 and claim 2 comprising of an inner core coated with an outer matrix 4 An interdental cleansing member as in claim 1 , claim 2 and claim 3 where the outer matrix is made of elastomeric material that is water stable hardwearing and capable of reuse over several days 5 An interdental cleansing member as in claim 1 , claim 2 , claim 3 and claim 4 where the inner core is made of high tensile strength material 6 An interdental cleansing member as in claim 1 , claim 2 , claim 3 , claim 4 and claim 5 that is incorporated in a device that holds it in a fixed tension 7 An interdental cleansing member as in claim 1 , claim 2 , claim 3 , claim 4 claim 5 and claim 6 that is incorporated into a toothbrush