GB2416985A

GB2416985A - Interdental cleaning device

Info

Publication number: GB2416985A
Application number: GB0417916A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stewart Rust; Tom Pomeroy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-12
Filing date: 2004-08-12
Publication date: 2006-02-15
Also published as: GB2416986A; GB0417916D0; GB0418875D0

Abstract

An interdental cleaning device comprises a length of spiral wire brush 22 disposed within a container 10, the container having at least one aperture 16 through which the brush can be withdrawn. This allows a reasonable length of brush to be retained within the container and withdrawn as necessary. The user can use the container as the brush handle and cut off lengths of brush as they wear out. The cut off length can then be replaced by withdrawing a further length of brush. Within the container, the brush can be wound on a spool 20 or in a generally coiled configuration, to combine relative ease of withdrawal and efficient use of the space within the container. The aperture of the container is preferably sized to provide a relatively tight grip on the wire brush such as by way of uni-directional teeth (not shown). The container can include an integrated cutter, preferably displaced from the aperture by an amount corresponding to an appropriate length of brush for use. Integral metal cutters can be integrated, into an openable lid of the container. The container may further include a wheel 30 having a roughened outer surface which may be rotated to draw the wire brush in or out of the container.

Description

Interdental Cleaning Device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an interdental cleaning device.

The toothbrush is a well known and important contribution to dental hygiene and is used several times per day by most people in the western world.

However, there are certain shortcomings in the normal toothbrush, in that it is of a sufficiently large dimension that it is physically impossible to reach certain areas, in particular interdental areas. For some, it is particularly important to clean these areas, such as those with gingival recession, but the demand for dental cleaning apparatus able to do so extends more widely.

Interdental brushes are thus available, and these typically consist of a short length of twisted wire brush mounted on a handle. These brushes are intended to be disposable, and might be used on a small number of occasions before wearing out. Examples can be obtained from TePe Munhygienprodukter AB of Malmo, Sweden. Other examples of interdental brushes have substantially the same brush device mounted on a suitable substrate which can be mounted into a socket on a larger handle. These handles have a geometry which more closely resembles a conventional toothbrush. However, the security of attachment between the disposable brush and the handle is an area of potential concern.

Known interdental brushes are often perceived as inconvenient in that they typically tend to wear out relatively quickly and must be replaced at reasonable expense. Storage of the brushes is potentially problematic, and factors such as these all tend to inhibit wider adoption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides an interdental cleaning device comprising a length of spiral wire brush disposed within a container, the container having at least one aperture through which the brush can be withdrawn. This allows a reasonable length of brush to be retained within the container and withdrawn as necessary. The user can use the container as the brush handle and cut off lengths of brush as they wear out. The cut off length can then be replaced by withdrawing a further length of brush. In this way, the brush is packaged more efficiently in terms of the amount of extraneous material required to contain it, and a single interdental brush can have a relatively long life thereby reducing the need for frequent replenishment.

Within the container, the brush can be wound on a spool or in a generally coiled configuration, for example, to combine relative ease of withdrawal and efficient use of the space within the container.

The aperture of the container is preferably sized to provide a relatively tight grip on the wire brush so that the container can act as an effective handle.

The aperture can be fitted with unidirectional teeth, for example, to prevent the brush from retreating back into the container and to ensure that the brush remaining outside the container remains hygienic.

When the current active portion of the brush is finished with or worn out, it can be discarded by cutting using various known conventional cutting tools.

Alternatively, the container can include an integrated cutter to assist in doing so.

If desired, the cutter can be displaced from the aperture by an amount corresponding to an appropriate length of brush for use. Once the brush is severed, a new portion of brush can, if necessary, be pulled through the aperture ready for use next time.

Where the container is provided with integral metal cutters, these can either be disposed on a surface of the container or they can be integrated, for example, into an openable lid of the container. Such an arrangement might include one cutting surface in a fixed location on the container surface and a second cutting surface integrated on to the lid such that on closing the lid the two cutting surfaces interact and sever a length of brush that has been left between them.

By this arrangement, thicker examples of wire brush can be cut with ease as a result of the leverage obtained via the container lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which; Figure 1 is a plan sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the aperture of the device of figure 1; Figure 3 is a similar view of an alternative formation of the aperture; Figure 4 is a similar view of a further alternative form of the aperture; Figures 5a, b and c show successive steps in a withdrawal of a length of wire brush from the container; and Figure 6 shows a plan view of an alternative form of container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figure 1, the container 10 comprises a hollow relatively short cylindrical section 12 from which extends an exit tube 14 and begin an aperture 16. A length of spiral wire brush 18 is disposed within the hollow interior of the cylinder 12 in a coiled configuration. A cylindrical former 20 is disposed within the container 12, around which the wire brush 18 is coiled. A free end 22 of the wire brush 18 extends out of the exit tube 14, and through the aperture 16.

A user wishing to clean their teeth using the device can thus grip the cylindrical container 10 and/or the exit tube 14 and pass the free end 22 of the wire brush interdentally in the conventional manner. As and when the free end 22 begins to wear or needs replacement, further lengths of wire brush can be withdrawn by pulling on the free end 22.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the exit aperture 16. The interior faces of the exit tube 14 include 2 rows of uni-directional teeth 24, 26. These point generally towards the exit aperture 16 and at their extremities grip the wire brush 18. Thus, by pulling on the free end 22, the wire brush 18 can be withdrawn, but reverse pressure on the free end 22 such as during use will not tend to re-insert the wire brush back into the container.

Figure 3 shows an alternative form for the aperture 16. In this case, various inwardly directed teeth 28 are disposed at the aperture forming a locally narrowed portion for which the wire brush 18 must pass. This will, in practice, prevent rearward motion of the wire brush.

It is generally to be expected that the arrangement of figure 2 will, in practice, be preferable to that of figure 3 in that the free end is less susceptible to collection of unhygienic matter. However, the arrangement of figure 3 could be protected with various lids, covers etc. and thus may in practice be an

acceptable version.

Figure 4 shows a further alternative. A wheel 30 having a roughened outer surface 32 is disposed in a wall of the exit tube 14. One side of the wheel is successful from the exterior while another side bears against the wire brush 18 and presses it against an internal upstand 34. As a result, rotation of the wheel 30 will tend to draw the wire brush 18 in either direction. This can thus be used to extend the wire brush 18 by way of replenishment, or to withdraw the wire brush 22 into a more hygienic space.

Figures 5a, b and c show sequential steps in the usage of the device, using by way of example the construction of figure 3. In the first stage shown in figure 5, a tip 22 of the wire brush 18 has been withdrawn from the aperture 16 and can then be used for interdental cleaning. After significant cleaning use, the tip 22 has become distorted and weakened and as a result is no longer suitable for further cleaning. It can therefore be gripped by a user and withdrawn from the exit tube 14 such that the tip comprises a first, worn, portion 22a and a second, portion 22b. The length of the wire brush 18 protruding from the container can then be cut at the junction between these parts using any suitable cutting means illustrated schematically at 36.

Figure 6 shows an alternative form of the container. The body 50 has an aperture 52 from which protrudes a length of wire brush 54. A hinge point 56 spaced from the exit aperture 52 is used for the attachment of a lid 58.

Adjacent the exit aperture 52 there is a first cutting means 60, paired with a second cutting means 62 formed on the lid 58.

As a result, after use, the length of the wire brush 54 can be laid across the first cutting member 60 and the lid 58 closed. The lid 58 can thus offer a significant leverage to the second cutting means 62 in order to sever the wire brush 54 between it and the first cutting means 60. The short free section of spiral wire brush 54 can then be discarded.

Many various can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the examples above are shown as single-use sealed devices in which the interior of the container is essentially inaccessible to a user. Once the wire brush 18 within the container has been exhausted, the device is effectively spent and can be discarded. In a variation of this idea, a more robust container could include an access point to the interior thereof thereby allowing the spoil of wire brush 18 within the container to be replaced once the original has been exhausted.

Other variants will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An interdental cleaning device, comprising a length of spiral wire brush disposed within a container, the container having at least one aperture through which the brush can be withdrawn.

2. An interdental cleaning device according to claim 1 in which the brush is wound on a spool within the container.

3. An interdental cleaning device according to claim 1 in which the brush is former in a generally coiled configuration within the container.

4. An interdental cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the aperture of the container is sized to provide a grip on the wire brush.

5. An interdental cleaning device according to claim 4 in which the aperture comprises uni-directional teeth to prevent the brush from retreating back into the container.

6. An interdental cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the container includes an integrated cutter to assist in severing the brush.

7. An interdental cleaning device according to claim 6 in which the cutter is displaced from the aperture.

8. An interdental cleaning device according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which the cutters are metallic.

9. An interdental cleaning device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the cutters are disposed on a surface of the container.

10. An interdental cleaning device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, in which the cutters are integrated into an openable lid of the container.

11. An interdental cleaning device according to claim 10 in which one cutting surface is in a fixed location on the container surface and a second cutting surface integrated on to the lid such that on closing the lid the two cutting surfaces interact.

12. An interdental cleaning device substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.