GB2552448A - Adjustable Interdental cleaning device - Google Patents
Adjustable Interdental cleaning device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2552448A GB2552448A GB1607274.6A GB201607274A GB2552448A GB 2552448 A GB2552448 A GB 2552448A GB 201607274 A GB201607274 A GB 201607274A GB 2552448 A GB2552448 A GB 2552448A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- handle portion
- interdental
- handle
- neck
- crown gear
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
- A46B5/002—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
- A46B5/0054—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body
- A46B5/0075—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body being adjustable and stable during use
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
- A46B5/002—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
- A46B5/0054—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body
- A46B5/0075—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body being adjustable and stable during use
- A46B5/0079—Adjustable and stable shaft or handle, e.g. generally in one piece
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
- A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
- A61C15/04—Dental floss; Floss holders
- A61C15/046—Flossing tools
- A61C15/048—Flossing tools with heads removable from handle, e.g. interchangeable heads
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Dentistry (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
An interdental device comprising: an interdental cleaning head (10 figure 2); a handle (30 figure 2); and a neck (20 figure 2) intermediate the interdental cleaning head (10) and the handle (30). The handle (30) comprises: a first handle portion 40 that is hingedly connected to the neck (20) on a first side of the neck (20); and a second handle portion 50 that is hingedly connected to the neck (20) on a second side of the neck (20) opposite the first side. The handle (30) further comprises an adjustable coupling 41,60 configured to provide a connection between the first handle portion 40 and the second handle portion 50. An angle of the neck (20) relative to the handle (30) is governed by a position of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion. An interdental device where the handle and neck are connected by first and second crown gear members is also claimed.
Description
(54) Title of the Invention: Adjustable Interdental cleaning device Abstract Title: Adjustable Interdental Cleaning Device (57) An interdental device comprising: an interdental cleaning head (10 figure 2); a handle (30 figure 2); and a neck (20 figure 2) intermediate the interdental cleaning head (10) and the handle (30). The handle (30) comprises: a first handle portion 40 that is hingedly connected to the neck (20) on a first side of the neck (20); and a second handle portion 50 that is hingedly connected to the neck (20) on a second side of the neck (20) opposite the first side. The handle (30) further comprises an adjustable coupling 41,60 configured to provide a connection between the first handle portion 40 and the second handle portion 50. An angle of the neck (20) relative to the handle (30) is governed by a position of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion. An interdental device where the handle and neck are connected by first and second crown gear members is also claimed.
40
FIG. 5
At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.
/12
100
FIG. 1
07 17
FIG. 2
FIG. 3
2/12
07 17
50
FIG. 4
S3 57 60
FIG. 5
3/12
07 17
100
FIG. 6
100
FIG. 7
4/12
07 17
FIG. 8
5/12
07 17
210
3—214
215
FIG. 9
6/12
07 17
FIG. 11
7/12
07 17
FIG. 12
8/12
07 17
FIG. 13
9/12
07 17
FIG. 14 >16
07 17
17a
>16
17b 18a 18b
FIG. 15(a)
>16
FIG. 15(b) FIG. 15(c)
FIG. 15(d)
600 /12
07 17
323
FIG. 17
12/12
07 17
FIG. 18
Adjustable Interdental Cleaning Device
In the field of dental hygiene, it is known to provide devices intended specifically for cleaning spaces between the teeth. One such suitable device is an interdental cleaning device. The interdental cleaning device may comprise a brush, floss, rubbery cleaning head or other means for reaching and cleaning an interdental space.
Interdental cleaning devices often comprise a cleaning element, a neck from which the cleaning element projects and a handle at an opposite end of the neck from the cleaning element.
It is known to provide some flexibility in the neck of an interdental cleaning device in order to increase usability in those interdental spaces in a user’s mouth that may be difficult to access with a rigid interdental cleaning device.
A known interdental cleaning device is disclosed in US 5,488,751, in the name of John O. Butler Company, which shows a device having a twisted wire brush portion and a neck with concentric diametric grooves to allow some flexibility.
There exists a need for an improved interdental cleaning device that enables a user to reach interdental spaces that are difficult to reach.
Against this background there is provided an interdental device comprising: an interdental cleaning head; a handle; and a neck intermediate the interdental cleaning head and the handle, wherein the handle comprises:
a first handle portion that is hingedly connected to the neck on a first side of the neck; and a second handle portion that is hingedly connected to the neck on a second side of the neck opposite the first side; and an adjustable coupling configured to provide a connection between the first handle portion and the second handle portion;
wherein an angle of the neck relative to the handle is governed by a position of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion.
In this way, a user can adjust an angle between the handle and the interdental cleaning head as appropriate for a particular interdental space by altering the position of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion. Having selected an angle, the angle is then fixed and movement of the interdental cleaning head relative to the handle, which may be unavoidable when cleaning an interdental space, does not affect the selected angle.
The adjustable coupling may enable a plurality of coupling positions between the first handle portion and the second handle portion.
The first handle portion and the second handle portion may be substantially mutually parallel in each coupling position of the plurality of coupling positions.
The adjustable coupling may comprise a protrusion in the first handle portion and a plurality of apertures in the second handle portion wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures may be configured to receive the protrusion.
The second handle portion may comprise an elongate slot having a first width; and each aperture has a second width that is wider than the first width, wherein each aperture is configured as a widening of the elongate slot.
Movement of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion may results in movement of the protrusion along a direction of elongation in the elongate aperture in the second handle.
The adjustable coupling may be configured to enable continuous sliding of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion.
The adjustable coupling may comprise a friction slider.
The interdental cleaning head may be detachable from the neck.
In one arrangement, the interdental cleaning head may comprise a plug and the neck comprises a socket.
In an alternative arrangement, the neck may comprise a plug and the interdental cleaning head may comprise a socket, wherein the socket may be configured to detachably receive the plug.
-3The plug and socket may form a releasable bayonet connection.
The plug may comprise a stem and one or more bayonet members that project radially from the stem.
The plug may comprise a plurality of stems each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein, for each stem, the distal end comprises a widening relative to the proximal end.
The interdental cleaning head may comprise one or more of the following:
(a) a spinal member comprising an elongate twisted wire portion and a plurality of brush elements extending radially from the elongate twisted wire portion;
(b) an elongate body having an elongate axis and a plurality of longitudinal branches each having a longitudinal axis, wherein a longitudinal axis of at least one of the branches is perpendicular to the elongate axis; and (c) a floss harp.
In a further aspect there is provided an interdental device comprising an interdental cleaning head; a handle; a neck intermediate the interdental cleaning head and the handle;
wherein the handle comprises a first crown gear member and the neck comprises a second crown gear member, wherein the first and second crown gear members are rotatable with respect to one another such that:
in a first plurality of relative positions rotational movement is subject to a first resistance; and in second plurality of relative positions rotational movement is subject to a second resistance, lower than the first resistance.
In this way, a user can adjust an angle between the handle and the interdental cleaning head as appropriate for a particular interdental space by altering the position of the handle relative to the neck. Having selected an angle, the angle is then fixed and movement of the interdental cleaning head relative to the handle, which may be unavoidable when cleaning an interdental space, does not affect the selected angle.
One of the first and second crown gear members may be a first crown gear cog and the other of the first and second crown gear members may be a second crown gear cog that complements the first crown gear cog.
-4One of the first and second crown gear members may be a first crown gear cog and the other of the first and second crown gear members may be a protrusion that is receivable within recesses of the first crown gear cog.
Embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, are shown with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a side view of an interdental device in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention in a first configuration where the handle and the interdental cleaning head are in line;
Figure 2 shows a top view of the interdental device of the first embodiment of the invention in the first configuration;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the interdental device of the first embodiment of the invention in a second configuration where the handle and the interdental cleaning head are at an angle;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the interdental device of the first embodiment with the first and second handle portions separated;
Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 but from an opposite perspective;
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the interdental device of the first embodiment of the invention in the first configuration;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the interdental device of the first embodiment of the invention in the second configuration;
Figure 8 shows a perspective view of an interdental device of a second embodiment of the invention in a first configuration where the interdental cleaning head is perpendicular to the handle;
-5Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the interdental device of the second embodiment of the invention in a second configuration where the handle and the interdental cleaning head are at an angle;
Figure 10 is a top view equivalent of Figure 8;
Figure 11 is a top view equivalent of Figure 9;
Figure 12 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the invention;
Figure 13 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 14 shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 15 shows features by which, in the first and second embodiments, the interdental cleaning head may be attachable to and detachable from the neck;
Figure 16 shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 17 shows an interior component of the third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention; and
Figure 18 shows an enlarged view of part of the third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention.
Figure 1 shows an interdental device 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
The interdental device 100 comprises an interdental cleaning head 10, a neck 20 and a handle 30.
The interdental cleaning head 10 in the first embodiment comprises a stem 16 (see Figure 15) and an interdental cleaning element 110 having a substantially conical trunk 11 and substantially conical branches 12. The substantially conical branches 12 may each have an elongate axis that is substantially perpendicular to an elongate axis of the substantially
-6conical trunk 11. The substantially conical branches 12 reduce in size with distance from the handle neck 20. Each substantially conical branch 12 and the substantially conical trunk 11 may be used as a tooth polishing/cleaning element. The variety of sizes and positions of the tooth polishing trunk 11 and branches 12 provides for a range of different geometrical elements having different radii and therefore providing a range of options suitable for reaching a variety of spaces within the mouth, including interdental spaces.
The neck 20 comprises a body 21 that receives the stem 16 of the interdental cleaning head 10.
The handle 30 comprises a first handle portion 40 and a second handle portion 50.
The first handle portion 40 comprises a narrow section 42 proximal to the neck 20 and a wide section 43 distal to the neck 20. Similarly, the second handle portion 50 comprises a narrow section 52 proximal to the neck 20 and a wide section 53 distal to the neck 20.
The first handle portion 40 comprises an interior surface 45 and an exterior surface 46. Similarly, the second handle portion 50 comprises an interior surface 55 and an exterior surface 56.
The wide section 43 of the first handle portion 40 extends in a first elongate direction and the wide section 53 of the second handle portion 50 extends in a second elongate direction. In a configuration of use, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 7 (but not Figures 4 and 5), the first elongate direction and the second elongate direction are substantially parallel. In addition, in the configuration of use, the interior surface 45 of the wide section 43 of the first handle portion 40 is immediately adjacent or touching the interior surface 55 of the wide section 53 of the second handle portion 50.
In the configuration of use, and with particular reference to Figure 2, the narrow section 42 of the first handle portion 40 diverges from the first elongate direction in a first outward direction and the narrow section 52 of the second handle portion 50 diverges from the second elongate direction in a second outward direction such that the interior surfaces 45, 55 of the first and second handle portions 40, 50 are not touching in the narrow sections 42, 52 thereof.
-7 As visible in Figure 5 (which shows a configuration other than the configuration of use), the interior surface 45 of the wide section 43 of the first handle portion 40 comprises a pair of parallel recesses 47, 48 parallel to the first elongate direction. The interior surface 55 of the wide section 53 of the second handle portion 50 comprises a pair of parallel protrusions 57, 58 parallel to the second elongate direction. The pair of parallel recesses 47, 48 is configured to cooperate with the pair of parallel protrusions 57, 58 to guide movement of the first handle portion 40 relative to the second handle portion 50 parallel to the elongate directions thereof.
At an end of the first handle portion 40 closest to the neck 20, the interdental device 100 comprises a first hinge 70 that provides a hinged connection between the first handle portion 40 and a first side 22 of the body 21 of the neck 20. At an end of the second handle portion 50 closest to the neck 20, the interdental device 100 comprises a second hinge 80 that provides a hinged connection between the second handle portion 50 and a second side 23 of the body 21 of the neck 20.
The first side 22 of the body 21 is opposite the second side 23 of the body 21.
A rear face 24 of the neck 20 sits between the first side 22 and the second side 23. The divergence of the narrow section 42 of the first handle portion 40 from the first elongate direction in a first outward direction and the divergence of the narrow section 52 of the second handle portion 50 from the second elongate direction in a second outward direction means that where the first and second handle portions 40, 50 meet the neck 20, they are separated by the rear face 24 of the neck.
The first handle portion 40 comprises a protrusion 41 that projects substantially orthogonally from a plane of the interior surface 45 of the first handle portion 40, as shown in Figure 5. The protrusion 41 may have a changing cross section along its length as it projects from the plane of the interior surface 45 of the first handle portion 40. In the first illustrated embodiment 100, an overall shape of the protrusion 41 resembles a majority of a sphere.
The second handle portion 50 comprises a linear, elongate slot 60 and a plurality of apertures 51 a - 51 i that are distributed along a length of the elongate slot 60. A width of the slot 60 is slightly smaller than a diameter of the protrusion 41 of the first handle portion. A width of each aperture 51 a - 51 i is slightly larger than the width of the slot 60 and either
-8corresponds to the diameter of the cylindrical protrusion or is slightly smaller than the diameter of the protrusion 41 of the first handle portion. Where the width of each aperture 51 a - 51 i is slightly smaller than the diameter of the protrusion 41 of the first handle portion, the width of the slot 60 is even smaller than a diameter of the protrusion 41 of the first handle portion.
Effectively, therefore, the elongate slot 60 widens at every aperture 51 a - 51 i and narrows between every aperture 51a - 51 i. In this way, depending on the relative sizes and tolerances, either (a) it is necessary for a user to overcome resistance in order for the protrusion 41 to move from one aperture (e.g. 51a) to the next aperture (e.g. 51b) by simply sliding the first handle portion 40 with respect to the second handle portion 50 in a direction parallel to the elongate direction of the first and second handle portions 40, 50; or (b) it is necessary for a user to overcome resistance provided by the protrusion held in the aperture in order to move the first handle portion 40 away from the second handle portion 50 in a direction so as to separate their elongate directions and thereby release the protrusion 41 from the aperture 60 altogether before moving the first handle portion 40 with respect to the second handle portion 50 in direction parallel to the elongate direction of the first and second handle portions 40, 50 and then reinserting the protrusion 41 into the slot 50 at a different aperture of the slot 51a - 51 i. The ability to be able to release the protrusion 41 from the elongate slot 60 altogether depends on the relative dimensions of the protrusion 41 and the apertures 51 a - 51 i. It may be preferable in some embodiments to configure the relative dimensions such that release of the protrusion 41 is not possible and so adjustment is only achievable by sliding.
With the protrusion 41 in a central aperture 51 e of the plurality of apertures 51 a - 51 i, a rear edge 49 of the first handle portion 40, furthest from the hinge 70, is aligned with a rear edge 59 of the second handle portion 50, as shown in Figure 2.
Movement of the first handle portion 40 with respect to the second handle portion 50 in a first direction (such that the protrusion moves into one of the apertures 51 a - 51 d to a first side of the central aperture 51 e) results in the rear edge 59 of the second handle portion 50 moving forward of the rear edge 49 of the first handle portion 40. This means that, as shown in Figure 3, the first hinge 70 necessarily adopts an obtuse internal angle between the first handle portion 40 and the neck 20 and the second hinge portion necessarily adopts an acute internal angle between the second handle portion 50 and the neck 20.
-9Accordingly, the interdental cleaning head 10 sits at an angle relative to the handle 30 in a first direction.
Movement of the first handle portion 40 with respect to the second handle portion 50 in a second direction (such that the protrusion moves into one of the apertures 51 f - 51 i to a second side of the central aperture 51 e) results in the rear edge 49 of the first handle portion 40 moving forward of the rear edge 59 of the second handle portion 50. This means that the first hinge 70 necessarily adopts an acute internal angle between the first handle portion 40 and the neck 20 and the second hinge portion necessarily adopts an obtuse internal angle between the second handle portion 50 and the neck 20. Accordingly, the interdental cleaning head 10 sits at an angle relative to the handle 30 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.
By providing, in the illustrated embodiment at least, nine different apertures 51 a - 51 i in the second handle portion 50, there are nine options for the angle of the interdental cleaning head 10 relative to the handle 30. As the skilled person would readily appreciate, the invention is not limited to nine positions and might involve more than nine positions or fewer than nine positions.
Figures 8 to 11 show a second embodiment of an interdental device 200. For efficiency, where aspects of the second embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment, an explanation will not be repeated. Accordingly, like reference numerals designate like parts. In particular, the handle 30 and neck 20 are as described with respect to the first embodiment.
The interdental device 200 of the second embodiment comprises an interdental cleaning head 10 comprising an interdental cleaning element 210 in the form of a floss harp 210.
The floss harp 210 comprises a semi-circular frame 211 having a shoulder 212 at its centre by which it is connected to the neck 20. The semi-circular frame 211 comprises a first clamp 213 at one end and a second clamp 214 as a second end. The floss harp 210 further comprises a length of floss 215 that is held taught by being clamped at one end at the first clamp 213 and at a second end at the second clamp 214.
The shoulder 212 is such that a plane of the floss harp is orthogonal to a plane of the handle 30.
- 10By adjustment of the position of the first handle portion 30 with respect to the second handle portion 40, as described above with respect to the first embodiment, the angle of the floss harp 210 with respect to the handle 30 can be adjusted.
Figure 12 shows a third embodiment of an interdental device 300. The interdental device 300 comprises an interdental cleaning element 310, a neck 320 and a handle 330. The neck 320 comprises a positional rotation arrangement to enable rotation of the interdental cleaning element 310 relative to the handle 330. The positional rotation arrangement permits rotation in both rotational directions. The positional rotation arrangement comprises a plurality of rest positions (in which a resistance must be overcome to achieve rotation) and a plurality of intermediate positions in which a bias results in preferential movement into an adjacent rest position. Altering the rotational position of the interdental cleaning element 310 relative to the handle 330 involves moving out of a rest position which in turn involves overcoming the aforementioned resistance to such movement.
The positional rotation arrangement comprises a first crown gear member 321 as a part of the interdental cleaning head 10 (as shown in Figure 17) and a corresponding second crown gear member (not shown) as part of the handle 30. Furthermore, the first crown gear member 321 is surrounded by a split cylindrical snap fit protrusion 323 that is received within a correspondingly shaped aperture 324 in the handle 30 (see Figure 18). The split cylindrical snap fit protrusion 323 performs the function of holding the cleaning head 10 and the handle 30 together whilst enabling rotation of one with respect to the other by passing the first crown gear member 321 along the second crown gear member.
In more detail, one of the first and second crown gear members may be a crown gear cog 321 that comprises a cylindrical member having an undulating perimeter at an outward edge of the crown gear cog. The undulating perimeter may have a substantially sinusoidal waveform, a substantially triangular waveform (as shown in Figure 17) or another substantially regular alternating waveform. The other of the first and second crown gear member is either a complementary crown gear cog or a protrusion that is receivable within recesses of the first crown gear cog (e.g. the recesses of the substantially regular alternating waveform).
The interdental cleaning element 310 of the third embodiment comprises an elongate twisted wire 311 formed of a strand of wire having a 180 “ bend at a distal end of the interdental cleaning element 310 from the neck 320. Adjacent the 180 “ bend are two legs of the strand of wire, one either side of the bend, and each leg is twisted around the other
- 11 to form a twisted wire pair. Strands of nylon fibre (or other material) are trapped between the twisted wire pair along some, most or all of the twisted wire 311.
Figure 13 shows a fourth embodiment of an interdental device 400. This embodiment comprises the same handle 330 and neck 320 as the third embodiment interdental cleaning device 300 and the same interdental cleaning head 10 as the first embodiment interdental cleaning device 100.
Figure 14 shows a fifth embodiment of an interdental device 500. This embodiment comprises the same handle 330 and neck 320 as the third embodiment interdental cleaning device 300 and an interdental cleaning element 510 in the form of a floss harp 510. The plane of the floss harp 510 may be the same as the plane of the handle 330 (as illustrated in Figure 14) or these two planes may be perpendicular (in a similar fashion to the second embodiment, with reference to Figure 8, in particular).
Figure 16 shows a sixth embodiment of an interdental device 600. This embodiment comprises the same handle 10 and neck 20 as the first embodiment interdental cleaning device 100 and the same interdental cleaning head 610 as the interdental cleaning head 310 of the third embodiment interdental cleaning device 300.
In the first, second and sixth embodiments, an adjustable connection is provided by the combination of protrusion 41 and slot 60. In a variation on the first and second embodiments, it may be that the adjustable connection is provided instead by a friction slider that enables slidable adjustment between the first and second handle portions 30,
40. This may have the advantage that the angle of the of the interdental cleaning head 10 relative to the handle 30 is not restricted to a finite number of options dictated by the number of apertures 51 a - 51 i. Rather, a wider range of angles may be achieved by virtue of continuous sliding capability of the friction slider.
Similarly, in a variation on the third, fourth and fifth embodiments, it may be that the positional rotation arrangement having first crown gear member 321 and second crown gear member (not shown) is substituted for a rotational friction slider that enables slidable adjustment between the neck 320 and the handle 330. This may have the advantage that the angle of the of the interdental cleaning head 10 relative to the handle 30 is not restricted to a finite number of options dictated by the number of apertures 51a - 51 i.
- 12 Rather, a wider range of angles may be achieved by virtue of continuous sliding capability of the friction slider.
Any or all of the six illustrated embodiments may also include features that enable the interdental cleaning head 10, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 to be removed from the neck. This gives rise to the possibility that the handle 30 may be used for different heads. Accordingly, for example, an interdental cleaning head 10 of the first embodiment 100 may be removed from the handle 30 and substituted for an interdental cleaning element 210 of the second embodiment 200. Alternatively, in the event that an interdental cleaning head 10 wears out or becomes damaged, it can be substituted for another interdental cleaning head 10 of the same kind. Alternatively, it may be substituted with another interdental cleaning head 10 of the same kind but with a different property, such as an interdental cleaning head 10 having a different material resilience.
The features that enable the interdental cleaning head 10 to be removable from the neck 20 may comprise a bayonet style connection, a screw-type connection or any other appropriate connection. As the skilled person would readily appreciate, this aspect of the invention is applicable to an interdental cleaning head 10 having any of a variety of interdental cleaning elements 110, 210, 310, 510.
In the case of a bayonet style connection, the body 21 of the neck 20 comprises a socket 25 (as illustrated in Figure 15(d)) configured to receive the stem 16 of the interdental cleaning head 10 (as illustrated in Figure 15 (c)).
The bayonet style connection may be achieved in a variety of ways. As shown in Figure 15(c), the stem 16 may comprise an elongate trunk 17 and one or more bayonet members 18 that project radially from the elongate trunk 17. The corresponding socket 25 may be shaped as illustrated in Figure 15(d) such that the elongate trunk 17 and bayonet members 18 are receivable into the socket 25 in one orientation and, once inserted into the socket 25, the bayonet members 18 can be rotated such that the stem 16 cannot be removed from the socket 25 simply by pulling in the elongate direction of the socket 25. Rather, the elongate trunk 17 must be rotated back to allow the bayonet members 18 to be released by pulling in the elongate direction of the socket 25.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 15(a), the stem 16 may comprise a pair of parallel elongate trunks 17a, 17b, each comprising a ball section 18a, 18b at a distal end of the
- 13elongate trunks 17a, 17b, furthest from the interdental cleaning element 110, 210, 310, 510. The corresponding socket (not illustrated) cooperates with the elongate trunks and ball sections 18a, 18b to enable insertion in one orientation, rotation to lock, and rotation back to unlock and remove.
In a further alternative, the stem 16 may comprise an external screw thread (see Figure 15(b)) and a socket (not illustrated) may comprise a corresponding internal screw thread to allow releasable connection of the interdental head to the neck.
In alternative embodiments, the stem 16 and socket 25 may be reversed, such that the neck 20 comprises a stem (not illustrated) and the interdental cleaning head 10 comprises the corresponding socket (not illustrated).
The handle 30 may (or may not) comprise a rubbery surface to aid the user in gripping the interdental device 10.
Alternative interdental cleaning elements 10 to those described with respect to the illustrated embodiments may be equally applicable to the invention. For example, the interdental cleaning head 10 may comprise (but may not be limited to) brushes or strands of any of the following materials in addition to or instead of those in the illustrated embodiments: nylon, polyester, thermoplastic elastomer; polypropylene; PTFE; flock; cloth and silicone.
Furthermore, the interdental cleaning head 10 may comprise (but may not be limited to) any one or more of the following: zinc citrate; ceptylpyridium chloride (CPC); silver ions; chlorohexidene; and triclosan.
As will be clear to the skilled person, the advantages provided by the invention as claimed are not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments. Furthermore, the nature of the interdental cleaning head 10 and handle 30 may vary widely while still falling within the scope of the claims.
Claims (18)
1. An interdental device comprising: an interdental cleaning head; a handle; and a neck intermediate the interdental cleaning head and the handle, wherein the handle comprises:
a first handle portion that is hingedly connected to the neck on a first side of the neck;
a second handle portion that is hingedly connected to the neck on a second side of the neck opposite the first side; and an adjustable coupling configured to provide a connection between the first handle portion and the second handle portion;
wherein an angle of the neck relative to the handle is governed by a position of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion.
2. The interdental device of claim 1 wherein the adjustable coupling enables a plurality of coupling positions between the first handle portion and the second handle portion.
3. The interdental device of claim 2 wherein the first handle portion and the second handle portion are substantially mutually parallel in each coupling position of the plurality of coupling positions.
4. The interdental device of any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the adjustable coupling comprises a protrusion in the first handle portion and a plurality of apertures in the second handle portion;
wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is configured to receive the protrusion.
5. The interdental device of claim 4 wherein:
the second handle portion comprises an elongate slot having a first width; and each aperture has a second width that is wider than the first width, wherein each aperture is configured as a widening of the elongate slot.
6. The interdental device of claim 5 wherein movement of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion results in movement of the protrusion along a direction of elongation in the elongate aperture in the second handle.
- 157. The interdental device of claims 1 to 3 wherein the adjustable coupling is configured to enable continuous sliding of the first handle portion relative to the second handle portion.
8. The interdental device of claim 7 wherein the adjustable coupling comprises a friction slider.
9. The interdental device of any preceding claim wherein the interdental cleaning head is detachable from the neck.
10. The interdental device of claim 9 wherein either:
the interdental cleaning head comprises a plug and the neck comprises a socket; or the neck comprises a plug and the interdental cleaning head comprises a socket;
and wherein the socket is configured to detachably receive the plug.
11. The interdental device of claim 10 wherein the plug and socket form a releasable bayonet connection.
12. The interdental device of claim 11 wherein the plug comprises a stem and one or more bayonet members that project radially from the stem.
13. The interdental device of claim 11 wherein the plug comprises a plurality of stems each comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein, for each stem, the distal end comprises a widening relative to the proximal end.
14. The interdental device of any preceding claim wherein the interdental cleaning head comprises one or more of the following:
(a) a spinal member comprising an elongate twisted wire portion and a plurality of brush elements extending radially from the elongate twisted wire portion;
(b) an elongate body having an elongate axis and a plurality of longitudinal branches each having a longitudinal axis, wherein a longitudinal axis of at least one of the branches is perpendicular to the elongate axis; and (c) a floss harp.
15. An interdental device comprising an interdental cleaning head; a handle; a neck intermediate the interdental cleaning head and the handle;
- 16wherein the handle comprises a first crown gear member and the neck comprises a second crown gear member, wherein the first and second crown gear members are rotatable with respect to one another such that:
in a first plurality of relative positions rotational movement is subject to a first 5 resistance; and in second plurality of relative positions rotational movement is subject to a second resistance, lower than the first resistance.
16. The interdental device of claim 15 wherein one of the first and second crown gear 10 members is a first crown gear cog and the other of the first and second crown gear members is a second crown gear cog that complements the first crown gear cog.
17. The interdental device of claim 15 wherein one of the first and second crown gear members is a first crown gear cog and the other of the first and second crown gear
15 members is a protrusion that is receivable within recesses of the first crown gear cog.
18. An interdental device as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No: GB1607274.6
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1607274.6A GB2552448A (en) | 2016-04-26 | 2016-04-26 | Adjustable Interdental cleaning device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1607274.6A GB2552448A (en) | 2016-04-26 | 2016-04-26 | Adjustable Interdental cleaning device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2552448A true GB2552448A (en) | 2018-01-31 |
Family
ID=60888763
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1607274.6A Withdrawn GB2552448A (en) | 2016-04-26 | 2016-04-26 | Adjustable Interdental cleaning device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2552448A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019169431A1 (en) * | 2018-03-04 | 2019-09-12 | John Ditchfield Adjokatse | Dental instrument |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1994021152A1 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1994-09-29 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Interproximal brush |
| KR20000067172A (en) * | 1999-04-24 | 2000-11-15 | 장지일 | Angle adjustable toothbrushes |
| EP1683439A1 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2006-07-26 | Sunstar Inc. | Interdental brush |
| US7213293B1 (en) * | 2003-01-06 | 2007-05-08 | Steven Schraga | Bristle orientation assembly for a toothbrush |
| US8499402B1 (en) * | 2009-10-31 | 2013-08-06 | Peter Arsenault | Articulating toothbrush |
-
2016
- 2016-04-26 GB GB1607274.6A patent/GB2552448A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1994021152A1 (en) * | 1993-03-23 | 1994-09-29 | Gillette Canada Inc. | Interproximal brush |
| KR20000067172A (en) * | 1999-04-24 | 2000-11-15 | 장지일 | Angle adjustable toothbrushes |
| US7213293B1 (en) * | 2003-01-06 | 2007-05-08 | Steven Schraga | Bristle orientation assembly for a toothbrush |
| EP1683439A1 (en) * | 2003-11-13 | 2006-07-26 | Sunstar Inc. | Interdental brush |
| US8499402B1 (en) * | 2009-10-31 | 2013-08-06 | Peter Arsenault | Articulating toothbrush |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019169431A1 (en) * | 2018-03-04 | 2019-09-12 | John Ditchfield Adjokatse | Dental instrument |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |