JP2020531154A - Interdental brush - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is an interdental brush (1) including a brush portion (2) and a shaft (3) for dissociably fixing the interdental brush (1) to the grip portion, and at this time, the brush portion (1). 2) relates to an interdental brush (1), which includes a bristles holder (4) and bristles (5) fixed to the bristles holder (4). At this time, the bristle holder (4) has a first end portion (7), and at the first end portion (7), the bristle holder (4) is fixed in the shaft (3). And the shaft (3) is manufactured from two parts. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an assortment with an interdental brush (1) and a method for manufacturing the interdental brush (1).

Description

The present invention is an interdental brush including a brush portion and a shaft for dissociatively fixing the interdental brush to the grip portion. At this time, the brush portion includes a bristles holder and bristles fixed to the bristles holder. With respect to an interdental brush, wherein the bristle holder at this time has a first end, at which the bristle holder is fixed in the shaft. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an interdental brush.

Conventional Techniques Comprehensive tooth care includes cleaning the interdental chamber as well as cleaning the teeth themselves. Caries, plaque, and bacteria that can cause inflammation can form in the interdental chamber. However, the interdental chamber can only be poorly cleaned with a toothbrush. Therefore, a so-called interdental brush is used for cleaning the interdental chamber. Interdental brushes usually have a brush head with delicate bristles, which is much smaller than a toothbrush, so that the brush head can be introduced between the teeth. The delicate bristles are then fixed to the bristles holder, which is often formed in the form of twisted wires. The bristle holder is usually embedded or inserted into the shaft at one end by injection molding of the plastic shaft of the interdental brush. The shaft itself is housed in the grip portion in a known form. The grip portion can be well held by the user by hand and thus allows for good handling of the interdental brush.

During the use of the interdental brush, a large load is applied to the brush head, and the brush head is often elastically or plastically bent. To prevent the brush part from pulling out of the shaft of the interdental brush or the brush part being able to rotate on the shaft, the end of the brush part embedded in the shaft often has a molded part. As a result, the fixed end can be held relatively well in the shaft.

For example, in the interdental brush disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-154901 (Lion Corporation), the fixed end portion of the brush holder made of twisted wire has the end portion in the plastic shaft of the interdental brush. It has curved, square, semi-circular, or triangular shaped portions to ensure secure fixation.

In the interdental brush disclosed in German Patent Application Publication No. 10354774 (Zahoransky), the brush portion is nondissociatively fixed to the handgrip. The handgrip includes a handgrip base body with a notch and a grip portion injection-molded to be embedded in the notch. First, the handgrip base body is manufactured by injection molding, so that the middle part of the bristleless end of the shaft is embedded in the handgrip base body. By the second injection molding step, the bent end of the shaft is embedded in the grip portion. The grip portion is made of a rubber-like material that is somewhat softer than the base body, resulting in a relatively good feel.

Such interdental brushes with an integrated handgrip are expensive to manufacture. This is because the grip portion must be injection molded into the base body in the second manufacturing step. In addition, if the bristles on the brush portion are worn, the entire interdental brush with the handgrip needs to be replaced. This is expensive and produces a lot of waste.

However, there are also known systems that can dissociably bind the interdental brush to the grip portion. If it is necessary to replace the interdental brush, the interdental brush can be separated from the grip portion and a new interdental brush can be inserted into the grip portion.

Such a system with a grip portion and an interchangeable interdental brush is disclosed, for example, in German Patent Application Publication No. 102005047340 (Braun GmbH). The interdental brush has a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft at the free end of the shaft on the shaft opposite to the brush. When the interdental brush is introduced into the opening of the grip portion, the wall portion between the grooves forms a clamp portion with the inner wall of the opening of the grip portion. This allows the interdental brush to be held in the grip portion and dissociated from the grip portion for replacement if necessary.

Another configuration of the replaceable interdental brush is disclosed in WO 1986/02532 (Curaden). The interdental brush includes a brush portion, which has a bristle-bearing brush holder formed from twisted wire loops and a bristle-free end portion. The ends are embedded in the shaft by injection molding the cylindrical shaft of a plastic interdental brush. At the free end of the shaft, a traverse is formed that includes two arms and forms a stopper. The interdental brush can be attached to the grip portion by introducing the traverse into the groove formed in the grip portion and screwing the threaded sleeve of the grip portion in the direction of the traverse, in which the screwing is screwed. The threaded sleeve rides onto the arm of the traverse, and this arm is clamped firmly between the threaded sleeve and the bottom of the groove in the grip portion.

The molded portion at the end portion of the bristle holder allows the bristle holder to be reliably held in the shaft even in an interdental brush that can be dissociably fixed in the grip portion. However, such known interdental brushes have some drawbacks with respect to the coupling between the bristle holder and the shaft.

Since the bristle holder often bends elastically or even plastically during the use of the interdental brush, the material of the bristle holder is partially subjected to extremely strong loads. In addition to that, there is a problem that the bending of the bristle holder occurs mainly at one place, that is, the place where the bristle holder advances from the shaft. This often causes material fatigue at this point of advance, which can lead to breakage of the bristle holder.

To avoid the risk of bending or breakage of the bristle holder, WO 1986/02532 (Curaden) discloses a shaft with specially shaped holes for accommodating the ends of the bristle holder. Has been done. The hard plastic shaft contains a front portion that extends toward the exit in a conical or hyperboloidal shape. The rear portion of the end portion of the bristle holder is immovably fixed within the rear portion of the hole. The anterior portion of the end portion of the bristles holder is flexibly supported within the gradually expanding portion of the hole with increasing play in the direction of the bristles. This allows the anterior portion of the end portion to elastically bend within the hole portion, at which time the wall of the hole portion prevents bending beyond the elastic limit of the bristle holder.

Despite this optimized shape of the holes in the shaft, the bristle holder is subject to heavy loads at the point of advance and the bristle holder can be damaged or even broken. In addition, the above-described holes with conical outlets require high manufacturing costs.

Description of the Invention The subject of the present invention is to improve the interdental brush belonging to the technical field mentioned at the beginning to have an improved accommodating portion of the bristle holder in the shaft, and at this time simply to make the shaft. It is to provide an interdental brush that can be manufactured.

This issue is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the present invention, the shaft is manufactured from two parts.

This makes it possible in a simple form to configure the shaft of the interdental brush so that the shaft has different characteristics from region to region. In this way, for example, the first portion can have a different shape and can be manufactured by a manufacturing method different from that of the second portion of the shaft. This allows the different requirements for the individual regions of the shaft to be met relatively well.

In this way, for example, the region of the shaft where the bristle holder extends from the shaft can be formed by a first portion that is extremely accurately molded and accurately guides the bristle holder, resulting in the bristle holder. Can bend without damage during use. In contrast, for example, the lower end region of the shaft may consist of a second portion, which second portion does not need to be manufactured very accurately, but simply the first of the bristle holders. It works only to fix the end immovably. Correspondingly, the second part can be manufactured inexpensively with a relatively simple tool. In this way, the second portion can be manufactured, for example, by punching or by a simple injection molding method. This allows the most effective and cheapest manufacturing method to be selected for each part of the shaft. As a result, the shaft can be optimally configured.

The concept of "interdental brush" as used herein means a brush suitable for cleaning the interdental chambers of human or animal teeth. At this time, a grip portion is required for the use of the interdental brush, and the interdental brush can be dissociably fixed to this grip portion by using, for example, a clamp or a screw connection. The grip portion serves to allow good handling of the interdental brush and thus to allow accurate positioning and movement between the teeth. Therefore, the grip portion where the interdental brush can be gripped by hand must be distinguished from the concept of "shaft" of the interdental brush. The shaft serves to secure the bristle holder and to dissociably connect the interdental brush to the grip portion.

The concept of "fixing" means a non-dissociable bond. Thus, for example, the first end of the bristle holder may be glued, embedded or clamped within the shaft. Therefore, dissociable couplings such as plug-in or screw couplings, or bayonet fittings do not fit into the concept of "fixing".

According to the present invention, the shaft is manufactured from two parts. Thereby, preferably, the shaft is formed from two parts. That is, each portion can be manufactured individually and then combined with the other portion to manufacture the shaft. At this time, the first portion and the second portion may be dissociably bonded to each other using, for example, a plug-in bond or a screw bond, or may be non-dissociably bonded to each other by, for example, adhesion or bonding. If the second part is made of plastic, the second part can be injection molded to cover the first part, for example using plastic injection molding, or the second part can be super-molded. It can be bonded to the first part by sonic welding, vibration welding (VIB welding), orbital welding, mirror welding, or by bonding.

The first part and the second part may be made of the same material, or may be manufactured from different materials.

Preferably, the shaft is divided into a first portion and a second portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. That is, both parts of the shaft are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. However, this does not preclude that the individual regions or elements of the first and / or second portion of the shaft have each entered the other portion in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the first portion may include, for example, an overhang, a tongue piece, or a wing that penetrates into the second portion of the shaft in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the first portion of the shaft comprises an overhang, which protrudes from the first portion in the longitudinal direction of the first portion and has a corresponding cut in the second portion of the shaft. Contained in the notch. This makes it possible to increase the contact surface between the first and second portions of the shaft. This allows for a stable and secure bond between the two parts.

Preferably, the shaft contains two different materials. This allows the individual areas of the shaft to be particularly well adapted to their respective requirements. Preferably, the first part of the shaft is made from the first material and the second part of the shaft is made from the second material. This allows the use of materials with different mechanical properties and different colors. Further, both parts can be manufactured by different manufacturing methods.

In this way, for example, the portion of the shaft where the bristle holder extends from the shaft is more than a second portion of the shaft that is formed to accommodate within the grip portion in the area of the free end of the shaft. It can be manufactured from flexible or elastic materials. The second portion may then be made of, for example, a wear resistant hard material. The flexible or elastic material of the first part in the region of advance of the bristle holder from the shaft allows the first part of the shaft to bend and nevertheless when the bristle holder is bent. The bristle holder can be satisfactorily supported, and as a result, bending exceeding the elastic limit of the bristle holder in the advance region can be avoided. This can prevent the bristle holder from being damaged. In contrast, the second portion of the free end region of the shaft is wear resistant by the hard material, which allows it to be coupled to the grip portion without damage. Further rigid materials can allow a stable bond between the shaft and the grip portion. However, the material selection can also be done, for example, in the exact opposite, and a soft or elastic material can be used for the second part in the region of the free end of the shaft. In this way, an elastic bond between the interdental brush and the grip portion can be made possible.

Different materials allow the selection of materials that can be particularly well adapted to the respective shape of the first end of the bristle holder for the fixation of the bristle holder in the area of the free end of the shaft. As a result, the bristle holder is securely held in the shaft. The first end of the bristle holder for fixation on the shaft may be formed, for example, in a semi-circular shape, in a V-shape, in a zigzag shape, or by bending.

This allows the two-material shaft of the interdental brush to meet the requirements particularly well. Moreover, the different materials in the shaft allow the region to be made of the most suitable material for each shape of the region of the shaft. In this way, for example, the upper region of the shaft can be made from a special plastic, which allows the plastic injection molding to give a particularly accurate shape of the advance opening. In contrast, the area below the shaft can be manufactured, for example, from inexpensive materials. That's because we don't need very accurate shaping here. This enables effective and inexpensive manufacturing.

However, the shaft may also contain three, four, or more different materials. At this time, the concept of "different" relates to the properties of the material, and not to, for example, the higher name of the material. That is, although the first plastic having the first hardness and the second plastic having the second hardness are both included in the category of the concept of "plastic", they are described in the present specification. Considered as "two different materials". However, the shaft may also include, for example, plastic and metal. In addition, materials having different colors are also considered as two different materials in the description herein, even though such materials have the same properties other than color. Thus, for example, blue plastic is, by this definition, a different material than red plastic.

The shaft preferably includes a transition portion and a fixing portion, at which time the first end of the bristle holder is fixed within the fixing portion. The transition portion and the fixed portion may have any shape. In this way, the transition portion and the fixed portion may be formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or a rectangular parallelepiped shape, respectively. The transition and fixation moieties may be further dissociably coupled to each other via a plug-in bond, or may be nondissociably coupled to each other.

Preferably, the transition portion corresponds to the first portion of the shaft and the fixed portion corresponds to the second portion. By including the transition portion and the fixed portion of the shaft, the function of the shaft is divided into a first portion and a second portion. This allows for simple construction and easy manufacturing. In this way, for example, the fixed portion can be configured with respect to the optimum fixation of the first end of the bristle holder, whereas the transition portion can be configured with respect to, for example, the optimal support of the bristle holder.

Preferably, the transition and the fixation are cast into each other so that the transition and the fixation are immobile and non-dissociatively coupled to each other. This makes the shaft stable.

Alternatively, it is possible that the shaft does not have a transition and fixation portion and the first end of the bristle holder is fixed to both portions of the shaft.

Preferably, the fixed portion has two blades protruding towards the transition portion in the longitudinal direction of the fixed portion. Preferably, the transition portion has two notches to accommodate the blades of the fixed portion.

The blades increase the contact surface between the transition and the fixation. This allows a particularly strong bond between the transition and the fixation. When the fixed portion is injection molded to cover the transition portion, the increased contact surface can achieve a particularly stable bond between the transition portion and the fixed portion.

Preferably, the bristle holder has a bristle region, where the transition portion is located between the fixed first end of the bristle holder and the bristle region. This allows the bristle holder to be guided and supported by the transition portion in an optimal manner in the region between the bristle region and the first end. In this way, the bristles holder can be supported by the bristles holder, for example, when the bristles holder is bent during tooth cleaning. This makes it possible to reduce the load on the bristle holder at the transition point where the bristle holder enters the fixed portion. As a result, the load on the bristle holder can be reduced, and the risk of breakage or buckling of the bristle holder can be avoided.

The transition portion can have any shape. The transition portion may be located beside, for example, on the side of the bristle holder, or the transition portion may surround the bristle holder.

Preferably, the transition portion contains the first material of the two materials, and the fixed portion contains the second material of the two materials.

This allows the optimum material to be selected to guide the bristle holder for the transitional part, whereas for the fixed part, a particularly stable fixation of the first end of the bristle holder. Since the material that enables the above can be selected, the shaft can be particularly preferably configured. In this way, for example, the transition portion may be made of an elastic material so that the bristle holder can be guided and supported during deformation, as already described above.

Since the transition is in some cases in contact with the teeth and / or gums during interdental cleaning, the transition can be constructed from a relatively soft material to reduce the risk of damage to the teeth or gums. On the other hand, for the fixed portion, a rigid or rigid material can be selected so that the first end of the bristle holder can be stably and immovably fixed in the fixed portion. ..

Alternatively, the transition and fixation parts can be made from the first material, and the third part, eg, the joint part, is from the second material in order to join the shaft to the grip part. It is also possible to manufacture.

Preferably, the second material has a greater bending strength than the first material.

For example, if the fixed portion has a greater bending strength than the material of the transition portion, the first end of the bristle holder is particularly stably and immovably fixed in the fixed portion by the rigid material. A particularly good guide and support of the bristle holder can be achieved by a transitional portion that is less rigid relative to this. This is because the transition portion can be easily elastically deformed together with the bristle holder.

Therefore, preferably, the fixed portion contains a material having a greater bending strength than the material of the transition portion.

Alternatively, both different materials may have equal flexural strength.

Preferably, the first material is plastic. Preferably, the second material is plastic. Plastics are easy to use and are well suited for making transitions and / or fixed parts by plastic injection molding. As a result, the transition portion and the fixed portion can be manufactured in a large number at low cost.

Alternatively, the transition and fixation portions may be made from another biocompatible material, such as ceramics or metals.

Preferably, the transition portion has an opening extending from the first side of the transition portion to the second side of the transition portion, and one region of the bristle holder is located within the opening. There is. Thereby, the bristle holder is completely surrounded by the transition portion in the region of the transition portion. This allows optimal guidance and support of the bristle holder by the transition portion. Preferably, the openings are formed as holes and have a perfect circular cross section. In another configuration, the opening may also have a square, triangular, or polygonal cross section.

Alternatively, the transition may be located solely on one side of the bristles holder and may not include an opening.

Preferably, the opening has a slope on the first side of the transition portion. That is, the opening is configured to gradually widen toward the first side of the transition portion. This allows the bristle holder located in the opening to move and bend more and more in the opening in the direction towards the first side of the transition portion. This provides a uniform bending load, which can reduce the risk of buckling and breakage of the bristle holder at the advancement of the opening on the first side of the transition. Preferably, the slope has an angle of less than 30 ° measured between the longitudinal axis of the opening and the plane of the slope. This allows for particularly good guidance and support of the bristle holder.

When the opening has a perfect circular cross section, the opening preferably has an annular slope around the opening on the first side of the transition portion. If the opening has a square, triangular, or polygonal cross section, the opening preferably has a slope at each edge of the opening on the first side of the transition. ..

Alternatively, it is possible that the transition portion does not have a slope.

Preferably, the inner dimension of the opening is larger than the outer dimension of the area of the bristle holder located in the opening, whereby the bristle holder is movable in the opening. At this time, the outer dimensions are related to the cross section of the bristle holder. That is, when the bristle holder has a substantially circular cross section, the outer dimensions correspond to the outer diameter of the bristle holder. The inner dimension corresponds to the minimum distance between the two inner walls of the opening. When the opening has a perfect circular cross section, the inner dimensions correspond to the inner diameter of the opening.

Since the inner dimension of the opening is larger than the outer dimension of the bristle holder, the bristle holder can move in the opening and be easily deformed. That is, the bristle holder is guided with some play in the opening of the transition portion. This makes it possible to avoid the risk of buckling and breakage of the bristle holder.

Alternatively, the bristle holder is guided without play in the opening of the transition.

Preferably, the transition portion and the fixed portion are integrally formed. That is, the transition and fixation portions, which are preferably individually manufacturable, are integrally coupled to each other. This makes it possible to configure the shaft compactly. Preferably, the transition portion and the fixed portion can be coupled to each other by injection molding, and as a result, the transition portion and the fixed portion are integrally formed.

Alternatively, the transition portion and the fixed portion may not be integrally formed and may consist of two individual portions that are loosely grouped together, for example using a bristle holder.

Preferably, the fixation portion comprises a locking element for the dissociable fixation of the interdental brush at the grip portion. The lock element can be used to securely secure the shaft to the grip in a simple form. This facilitates the handling of the interdental brush. Preferably, the locking element is formed in the form of a traverse with two arms arranged at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. As a result, the interdental brush can be easily locked to the grip portion by using, for example, a bayonet joint.

Alternatively, it is possible that the fixed portion does not have a locking element. In this case, the shaft can be easily inserted into the opening in the grip portion, for example.

Preferably, the bristle holder is made from twisted wire. This allows the bristles to be immovably and reliably held in the bristles holder, where the bristles are clamped between the threads of the twisted wire. This makes it possible to manufacture the bristle holder easily and inexpensively.

Alternatively, the bristle holder may be manufactured from, for example, a plastic rod.

Preferably, the bristle holder has a curved molded portion at the first end. This allows the bristle holder to be particularly securely fixed in the shaft. This is because the bristle holder cannot easily escape from the fixed portion in the axial direction of the bristle holder, or the bristle holder cannot rotate undesirably within the fixed portion about the axis. is there. The curved shaped portion is preferably formed in a semicircular shape, and the rearmost region of the first end is preferably formed straight again, so that the formed portion is recessed or bossed. It is formed in the bristle holder in the form of.

Preferably, the bristles holder has a bristle-free portion between the bristles and the first end so that there is a gap between the bristles and the transition portion.

The bristle holder can be elastically deformed particularly well in the bristle-free portion. This is because there are no bristles in this area that could block the movement of the bristles holder. This allows the bristle holder to undergo the required elastic deformation during use.

Alternatively, it is possible that the bristles holder has bristles along its entire length, which is not fixed within the shaft, and thus has no bristles-free portion.

The present invention further comprises an assortment with at least two interdental brushes, as described above, wherein each interdental brush of at least two interdental brushes comprises individual features on the shaft. About the assortment.

This feature allows one interdental brush to be distinguished from the other interdental brushes. The concept of "assortment" means at least two interdental brushes that have different properties from each other. Interdental brushes have, for example, the following characteristics:
-Bristle length-Bristle thickness-Bristle elasticity-Bristle shape-Bristle holder elasticity, or-A fixed grip part, such as for a click plastic holder, an aluminum holder, or an angle member Can be different in properties such as usability for.

The individual features allow the interdental brush in the assortment to be visually well characterized to the user. This simplifies the handling of multiple interdental brushes that have different characteristics from each other.

Individual characterizations include, for example, the shape of the shaft, the surface structure of the part of the shaft, the outer contour of the bristles, the color of the bristles, or the color of the part of the shaft, the material selection of the two parts of the shaft, or the mutual of the two parts of the shaft. It can be done by the combination form of. In this way, for example, the shaft can have a square, triangular, or circular cross section to characterize the interdental brush.

Each part of the two parts of the shaft forms a cord. This allows for simple individual characterization. For example, the first part may have a different color than the second part of the shaft, or the first part may be manufactured from, for example, a different material than the second part of the shaft. .. Further coding can be done by laser engraving, tampo printing, embossing, or using an insertion plate. Further, for example, the first portion of the shaft may have a square cross section and the second portion of the shaft may have a circular cross section. Furthermore, relatively diverse information can be encoded by combining both partial codes with some elements for each part.

Alternatively, individual parts of the shaft may be configured so that they do not have a cord and thus are indistinguishable from each other.

The present invention further comprises a method for manufacturing an interdental brush, the following steps:
a) A step of preparing a brush portion including a bristles holder and bristles fixed to the bristles holder, and
b) A step of preparing a transition portion, wherein the transition portion has an opening extending from the first side of the transition portion to the second side of the transition portion.
c) A step of pushing the first end of the bristle holder through the opening from the first side of the transition portion until the area of the first end protrudes on the second side of the transition portion.
d) Attach a fixing portion to the second side of the transition portion, thereby fixing the protruding region of the first end of the bristle holder within the fixing portion and fixing the fixing portion to the transition portion. Steps and
Containing methods for manufacturing interdental brushes.

The interdental brush can be effectively manufactured by the method according to the present invention. The fixed portion can be attached to the second side of the transition portion using, for example, ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, orbital welding, mirror welding, or gluing. Further, there is a possibility that the fixed portion is attached to the second side of the transition portion by injection molding so as to cover the second side of the transition portion.

The fixed part and the transition part are immovably and irredissociably bonded to each other by welding the fixed part to the transition part, by bonding the two parts, or by injection molding of the fixed part so as to cover the transition part. .. That is, the shaft including the transition portion and the fixed portion is integrally formed. This allows for a compact structure of the shaft.

Preferably, the fixed portion is injection molded by plastic injection molding to cover the second side of the transition portion. Plastics for injection molding are easy to use and can contain a variety of properties. This allows the shaft of the interdental brush to be optimally adapted to the requirements. The bristle holder is securely held within the fixed portion at its first end by injection molding of the fixed portion to further cover.

Preferably, after pushing the first end of the bristle holder through the opening, the first end is deformed. Preferably, the first end of the bristle holder is deformed into a curved shape. However, the first end can also be deformed in another form, for example using a square bend, a zigzag shape, or by bending. The deformation allows the first end of the bristle holder to be particularly well fixed within the fixed portion so that the bristle holder cannot be pulled out of the fixed portion or the bristle holder is centered on its longitudinal axis. And it becomes impossible to rotate in the fixed part.

When the bristle holder is made of a wire structure, the first end of the bristle holder can be formed into a curved shape in a simple form by bending the wire.

Alternatively, there is a possibility that the first end will not be deformed.

The following detailed description and the whole of the claims provide a combination of more preferred embodiments and features of the invention.

The drawings are used to illustrate the examples.
It is sectional drawing which shows typically the interdental brush which concerns on this invention, and this is sectional drawing which extends through the longitudinal axis of the interdental brush. It is a side view which shows roughly another structure of the interdental brush which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the transition part of an interdental brush. It is a front view which shows the transition part shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows another structure of the transition part. It is a front view which shows the transition part shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows another structure of the shaft of an interdental brush. It is a top view which shows the shaft shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic assortment of interdental brushes. It is a figure which shows another structure of the assortment of interdental brushes. It is a figure which shows still another structure of an assortment of interdental brushes.

Basically, equal parts are given equal reference numerals in the drawings.

Embodiment of the present invention FIG. 1 schematically shows an interdental brush 1 according to the present invention in a cross-sectional view. At this time, the cross section extends through the longitudinal axis of the interdental brush 1. The interdental brush 1 includes a brush portion 2 and a shaft 3. The brush portion 2 has a bristle region 6 for cleaning the interdental chamber. The shaft 3 forms a joint between the brush portion 2 and a grip portion (not shown here).

The brush portion 2 includes a bristles holder 4 made of twisted wires and delicate bristles 5 held between the twisted wires. The bristles holder 4 does not have bristles 5 in the region of the first bristle-free end 7 of the bristles holder 4. The bristle region 6 is located at the second end, in the region that works to clean the interdental chamber. The shaft 3 of the interdental brush 1 is formed by the transition portion 8 and the fixing portion 9. The transition portion 8 has a continuous opening 10 from the first side of the transition portion 8 to the second side of the transition portion 8. At this time, the first side of the transition portion 8 is directed to the bristle region 6, whereas the second side of the transition portion 8 is connected to the fixed portion 9. The bristleless end 7 of the bristle holder 4 extends through this opening 10 of the transition portion 8 and is fixed at the fixing portion 9. That is, the transition portion 8 is arranged between the bristle region 6 and the bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4, whereas the fixed portion 9 is the bristle-free end of the shaft 3. The end portion of the interdental brush 1 is formed by. The fixed portion 9 at the free end has a locking element in the form of a traverse (horizontal axis) 11 with two arms 12.1, 12.2 for fixing the interdental brush 1 to the grip portion. Have. The grip portion (not shown here) can be gripped by the user's hand, and as a result, the user accurately positions and moves the interdental brush 1 between the teeth using the grip portion. be able to.

The traverse 11 is located at the fixed portion 9 in the region of the free end of the shaft 3, that is, at a different end of the shaft from the entrance of the opening 10 having the slope 14. The arms 12.1, 12.2 of the traverse 11 are arranged on opposite sides of each other and project from the shaft 3 at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 3. The arms 12.1, 12.2 have a substantially square cross section. The grip portion has grooves that open upward, and each groove can accommodate one arm 12.1, 12.2 of the traverse 11.

In order to secure the interdental brush 1 in the grip portion, the arms 12.1, 12.2 are positioned in the groove of the grip portion, and then the interdental brush 1 is rotated about its longitudinal axis. As a result, the arms 12.1 and 12.2 are further introduced into the groove, so that the interdental brush 1 can no longer be moved away from the grip portion in the direction of its longitudinal axis. Thereby, the interdental brush 1 can be locked to the grip portion in the form of a bayonet joint by its traverse 11.

FIG. 2 shows another configuration of the interdental brush 200 according to the present invention in a side view. Unlike the first configuration shown in FIG. 1, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the interdental brush 200 has an annular groove 215 at the free end of the fixed portion 209. Thereby, this configuration of the interdental brush 200 requires a grip portion including a protrusion, which engages in the groove 215 when the interdental brush 200 is inserted into the grip portion. As a result, the interdental brush 200 is held at the grip portion.

In the following, the individual elements of the interdental brush 1 will be described in detail.

As can be recognized in FIG. 1, the bristles 5 are arranged in the bristles region 6 of the bristles holder 4 over the entire circumference of the twisted wire so that the bristles 5 are from the twisted wire or from the bristles holder 4. It protrudes without gaps in all directions. At this time, the bristles 5 project from the twisted wire at an angle of 60 ° to 80 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bristles holder 4. Between the bristle region 6 and the bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder, the bristle holder 4 has a bristle-free region 13. This creates a gap between the bristles 5 and the first side of the transition portion 8.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the shaft 3 is formed of a transition portion 8 and a fixed portion 9 in the illustrated configuration. At this time, both the transition portion 8 and the fixed portion 9 have a perfect circular cross section. Further, the transition portion 8 and the fixed portion 9 have the same outer diameter. The transition portion 8 is manufactured from soft plastic by plastic injection molding, whereas the fixed portion 9 is a harder plastic than the transition portion and has greater bending strength than the soft plastic. Manufactured from plastic by injection molding. At this time, the fixed portion 9 is injection-molded (aufspritzen) so as to cover the transition portion 8, and as a result, the transition portion 8 and the fixed portion 9 are inseparably connected to each other and are integrally formed. There is.

At this time, the bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 is embedded in the fixed portion 9 by injection molding of the fixed portion 9. The embedded bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 has a semi-circular molded portion 20 to prevent the bristle holder 4 from being pulled out of the fixed portion 9. This molded portion guarantees that the bristle-free end 7 cannot rotate about the longitudinal axis of the bristle holder 4 and cannot move in the axial direction.

The fixed portion 9 has two blades 19.1 and 19.2 located on opposite sides of each other, and both blades 19.1 and 19.2 are in the direction of the bristles 5 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 3. It has advanced from the fixed part 9. The blades 19.1 and 19.2 have a semicircular shape. However, in yet another configuration, the blades 19.1, 19.2 may have different shapes. For example, the blades 19.1 and 19.2 may be formed in a triangular shape as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The transition portion 8 has two notches, both notches have opposite shapes, and one blade 19.1, 19.2 is housed in each of the notches. As a result, the outer contour of the shaft 3 maintains a cylindrical shape over its entire length. The vanes 19.1 and 19.2 of the fixed portion 9 increase the contact surface between the fixed portion 9 and the transition portion 8. Thereby, the fixed portion 9 can be bonded to the fixed portion 9 particularly well when the fixed portion 9 is injection-molded so as to cover the transition portion 8. The increased contact surface is advantageous for configurations in which the fixed portion 9 is bonded to the transition portion 8 using ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, orbital welding, or mirror welding, or by adhesion.

At this time, the fixed portion 9 is manufactured from a colored plastic (for example, purple), whereas the transition portion 8 is manufactured from another colored plastic (for example, black). This provides a cord that allows the user to better recognize the elasticity of the bristles and the length of the bristles. However, in yet another configuration, coding can also be done using laser engraving, tampo printing, embossing, or insertion plates.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the transition portion 8 is shown without the brush portion 2. In FIG. 3, the transition portion 8 is shown in a side view. In FIG. 4, the transition portion 8 is shown in the front view. That is, the transition portion 8 is shown rotated by 90 ° around its longitudinal axis as compared to FIG. The blades 19.1 and 19.2 of the fixed portion 9 are housed in the notches 18.1, 18.2 visible in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As further visible in FIGS. 3 and 4, the opening 10 at the transition portion 8 is formed to penetrate. The opening has a perfect circular cross section. At this time, the inner diameter of the opening 10 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bristle holder 4, and as a result, the bristle holder 4 can move in the opening. In the transition portion 8, the opening 10 has a slope 14 on the first side of the transition portion 8. At this time, the slope 14 becomes larger toward the entrance of the opening 10 or toward the first side of the transition portion 8. As a result, the slope 14 has a hyperbolic shape in cross section, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The slope 14 allows the bristle holder 4, not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to move and bend within the opening 10 towards the entrance of the opening 10 on the first side of the transition portion 8. can do. This achieves a continuous transition from the first end 7 of the bristle holder 4, which is immobile and immobilely embedded in the fixed portion 9, to the freely movable bristle region 6.

5 and 6 show another configuration of the transition portion 108 without the brush portion 2. Unlike the transition portion 8 in FIGS. 3 and 4, the configuration in FIGS. 5 and 6 has triangular notches 118.1, 118.2, and these notches 118.1, 118.2. The triangular blades 19.1 and 19.2 corresponding to the fixed portion 9 can be accommodated therein.

7 and 8 show another configuration of the interdental brush shaft 303 without the brush portion 2. At this time, the shaft 303 is shown in a side view in FIG. 7. At this time, the upper region of the shaft 303 is shown in a cross-sectional view, at which time the cross section in this region extends through the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303. As a result, the opening 310 in the shaft 303 can be seen well. Further, the total length of the shaft 303 is not shown due to space reasons. FIG. 8 shows the shaft shown in FIG. 7 in plan view.

The shaft 303 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used for another configuration of the interdental brush according to the present invention. This configuration is different in manufacture from the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the interdental brush configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the fixed portion 309 is manufactured, it is individually pre-molded with the transition portion 308 rather than being injection molded to cover later as described above. Manufactured in. The bristleless end 7 of the bristle holder 4 is then introduced into the opening 310 in the shaft 303 and adhered in the shaft 303. However, for the sake of clarity, only the shaft 303 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 without the bristles holder 4.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the opening 310 in the shaft 303 extends through the transition portion 308 and terminates at the fixed portion 309. At this time, the opening 310 is formed by three inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3 and has a triangular cross section, at which time all sides of the triangular cross section are of equal length. Is. This shape of the opening 310 is well visible in FIG. As can be seen from the drawings, the opening 310 is discontinuous and has a termination in the middle of the shaft 303 approximately in the longitudinal direction, which termination is relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303. It is formed by end planes that are oriented at right angles. Further, the opening 310 has a tapered portion in its end region 311. That is, the inner walls 313.1, 313.2, and 313.3 extend to each other toward the end region 311.

At the transition portion 308, the opening 310 has a slope 314 on the first side of the transition portion 308 facing the bristles portion. At this time, the slope 314 has a first slope portion 315.1, 315.2, 315.3, and these slope portions 315.1, 315.2, 315.3 are ordinary perfect circles. And it is manufactured by chamfering (Anfasen) with a conical slope milling tool. Further, the slope 314 includes a second slope portion 316.1, 316.2, 316.3, and these slope portions 316.1, 316.2, 316.3 have three inner walls 313.1. Manufactured by chamfering 313.2, 313.3. That is, the three inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3 are one of the second slope portions 316.1, 316.2, 316.3 in the direction of the first side of the transition portion 308, respectively. It has shifted to one slope part 316.1, 316.2, 316.3. At this time, the first slope portion 315.1, 315.2, and 315.3 have an angle of 20 ° to 30 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303, and the second slope portion 316. 1, 316.2 and 316.3 are oriented at an angle of less than 30 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the fixed portion 309 has an end region with a somewhat smaller outer diameter at its free end, which results in the formation of a stepped portion 317 at the fixed portion 309. Further, the fixed portion 309 has an annular groove 319 in this end region having a relatively small outer diameter. Further, in this end region, the fixed portion 309 is cut in the longitudinal direction of the fixed portion 309, so that the fixed portion 309 has a surface 318 oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixed portion 309. There is. Further, at the end of the fixed portion 309, the fixed portion 309 is chamfered so that the fixed portion 309 can be relatively easily introduced into the opening in the grip portion (not shown). The grip portion into which the shaft 303 is inserted has a corresponding corresponding shape, and as a result, the surface 318 is in contact with the surface in the grip portion when the shaft 303 is coupled to the grip portion. Further, the grip portion has an overhang (Auskragung) that engages in the groove 319 of the fixed portion 309, whereby the shaft 303 can be held when the shaft 303 is inserted into the grip portion. it can.

FIG. 9 schematically and briefly shows an assortment with interdental brushes 400.1-400.05. The assortment includes, for example, five interdental brushes 400.1-400.5, each containing bristles with different hardness and shape. Each shaft has a different cord to make the interdental brushes 400.1-400.5 distinguishable for the user. Therefore, preferably, each of the transition portions 408.1 to 408.5 has a different color from the fixed portions 409.1 to 409.5. At this time, the color of the fixed portion 409.1 to 409.5 is preferably due to the elasticity of the bristles, and the color of the transition portion 408.1 to 408.5 is preferably due to the shape or length of the bristles. is there. In another configuration, coding can also be done using the shape of the shaft. For example, each fixed portion 409.1 to 409.5 or each transition portion 408.1 to 408.5 may have a different cross section, such as a square, a triangle, or a circle. The fixed combination of cross-sections of the fixed portions 409.1 to 409.5 and the transition portions 408.1 to 408.5 also allows individual characterization of the interdental brushes 400.1-400.05. be able to.

FIG. 10 shows another configuration of the assortment with the interdental brushes 500.1-500.05. Unlike the assortment in FIG. 9, the interdental brushes 500.1-500.5 shown in FIG. 10 each have one groove in the shaft, in which the interdental brushes 500.1-500. When each of .5 is held by the grip portion, the overhanging portion of the grip portion engages.

FIG. 11 shows yet another configuration of the assortment with the interdental brushes 600.1-600.06. These interdental brushes 600.1-600.6 have a bristle head with a spherical, parallelogram-like, or triangular outer contour.

At this time, the arrangement modes in FIGS. 9 to 11 are not limited to the combinations shown in the drawings. For example, the interdental brush 60.1 to 60.6 shown in FIG. 11 or the interdental brush 50.1 to 50.5 shown in FIG. 10 also grips like the interdental brush 40.1 to 40.5. It can have a traverse to connect to the portions. In addition, any combination of all the illustrated interdental brushes 400.1-400.05, 500.1-500.05, 600.1-600.06 may be arranged in one assortment.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described herein for interdental brushes. For example, the shaft of an interdental brush may have an opening with a square or polygonal cross section. Further, the slope at the transition portion may be formed into another shape. Further, it is possible that the transition and / or fixed portion has, for example, a square or polygonal cross section rather than a cylindrical cross section. Further, the interdental brush does not necessarily have to have a locking element, and if the interdental brush contains a locking element, the locking element is formed as a traverse or in the form of a groove as described above. You don't have to. The brush portion may also be formed in another form. For example, the bristle holder may be made of plastic.

In summary, it can be confirmed that an interdental brush is obtained that has an improved containment of the bristle holder within the shaft and that includes an easily manufacturable shaft.

Claims (18)

An interdental brush (1) including a brush portion (2) and a shaft (3) for dissociably fixing the interdental brush to the grip portion, wherein the brush portion (2) is a bristle holder (4). ) And the bristles (5) fixed to the bristles holder (4), and the bristles holder (4) has a first end (7), said first end. In the part (7), the bristles holder (4) is fixed in the shaft (3) in the interdental brush (1).
The interdental brush (1), characterized in that the shaft (3) is manufactured from two parts. The shaft (3) contains two different materials.
The interdental brush (1) according to claim 1. The shaft (3) includes a transition portion (8) and a fixed portion (9), and the first end portion (7) of the bristle holder (4) is formed in the fixed portion (9). Fixed,
The interdental brush (1) according to claim 1 or 2. The bristle holder (4) has a bristle region (6), and the transition portion (8) is a fixed first end portion (7) of the bristle holder (4) and the bristle region. It is placed between (6) and
The interdental brush (1) according to claim 3. The transition portion (8) contains the first material of the two materials, and the fixed portion (9) contains the second material of the two materials.
The interdental brush (1) according to claims 2 and 3. The second material has a greater bending strength than the first material.
The interdental brush (1) according to claim 5. The transition portion (8) has an opening (10) extending from the first side of the transition portion (8) to the second side of the transition portion (8), and the bristle holder ( One area of 4) is located within the opening,
The interdental brush (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6. The opening (10) has a slope (14) on the first side of the transition portion (8).
The interdental brush (1) according to claim 7. The inner dimension of the opening (10) is larger than the outer dimension of the region of the bristle holder (4) located in the opening (10), whereby the bristle holder (4) is made to have the opening (10). ) Is movable,
The interdental brush (1) according to claim 7 or 8. The transition portion (8) and the fixed portion (9) are integrally formed.
The interdental brush (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9. The fixation portion (9) includes a locking element (11) for dissociable fixation of the interdental brush (1) in the grip portion.
The interdental brush (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 10. The bristle holder (4) is made of twisted wire.
The interdental brush (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The bristle holder (4) has a curved molded portion at the first end portion (7).
The interdental brush (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The bristles holder (4) has a bristle-free portion between the bristles (5) and the first end (7), whereby the bristles (5) and the transition portion (8). ), There is a gap between it and
The interdental brush (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 13. The assortment comprising at least two interdental brushes (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein each of the at least two interdental brushes (1) has a shaft. An assortment characterized by having individual characteristics in (3). Each portion of the two portions of the shaft (3) forms a cord.
Assortment according to claim 15. A method for manufacturing the interdental brush (1), the following steps:
a) A step of preparing a brush portion (2) including a bristles holder (4) and a bristles (5) fixed to the bristles holder (4).
b) A step of preparing a first plastic transition portion (8), wherein the transition portion (8) is a second side of the transition portion (8) from the first side of the transition portion (8). With an opening (10) extending to the side of the step and
c) The region of the first end (7) of the bristles holder (4) from the first side of the transition portion (8) is the transition portion (8). ) By pushing through the opening (10) until it protrudes on the second side.
d) A fixed portion (9) is attached to the second side of the transition portion (8), thereby providing the protruding region of the first end (7) of the bristle holder (4). A step of fixing in the fixed portion (9) and fixing the fixed portion (9) to the transition portion (8).
A method for manufacturing an interdental brush (1), which comprises. After pushing the first end (7) of the bristle holder (4) through the opening (10), the first end (7) is deformed.
17. The method of claim 17.

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