JP4551565B2 - Oral hygiene device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an oral hygiene device, especially a toothbrush. The device consists of a handle (1) and a cleaning head (10) which is provided at the end of said handle and which supports an essentially flexible material (2) used for oral and dental hygiene. This material (2) is especially detachably fixed to the cleaning head.

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an oral hygiene device comprising a grip handle and a cleaning head provided at the tip of the grip handle, particularly a toothbrush, and the cleaning head is essentially flexible to be useful for oral hygiene or dental hygiene. It is provided with a rich substance, which is in particular detachably fixed to the part of the cleaning head .
[0002]
[Background technology]
The toothbrush is conventionally known as a daily practical product. The grip handle portion gripped by the hand is provided with a cleaning head having, for example, bristles at the tip thereof, and the handle handle portion having the cleaning head is inserted into the oral cavity to perform a cleaning process on the teeth. .
[0003]
The conventional toothbrushes have a drawback that the cleaning head is easily worn and unusable due to a mechanical load, and becomes unsanitary when it becomes old. Therefore, the entire toothbrush was usually forced to renew even when the handle portion was still usable.
[0004]
Often when described with reference to a toothbrush, the scope of rights protection is not intended to be limited to appliances that benefit tooth cleaning. Rather, the present invention generally extends to oral hygiene devices, ie, all that are suitable for cleaning not only teeth but also other areas of the oral cavity. The concept of sanitary ware in this case is also not interpreted in terms of special sterilization, but rather is equally understood on the basis of various perspectives that benefit cleaning and decontamination and disposal. Shall be done.
[0005]
Therefore, the conventional oral hygiene devices such as toothbrushes are not suitable for effectively cleaning the sensitive oral mucosa. The use of bristles for sensitive oral mucosa is extremely painful.
[0006]
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,679 discloses a toothbrush having a removable bristle head for tooth cleaning at one end and a head having a wettable material at the other end.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,166 describes a toothbrush with a removable brush head. The head is rotatable with respect to the holding member.
Swiss Patent Publication No. 149 565 discloses a toothbrush with two removable cleaning heads which are rubbery and conically formed.
German Offenlegungsschrift 26 00 234 describes a pediatric toothbrush having two bristle rows arranged in a v-shape in sequence.
EP 0 550 818 A1 discloses a holding device for a dental brush with a replaceable head. This head is detachably mounted in the holding handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,512 describes a toothbrush having a gap for elastically placing a flexible material in the handle of the brush.
This invention develops an oral hygiene instrument widely, and makes it a subject that the use is not limited to dental care. Furthermore, it is necessary that the flexible material can be fixed inexpensively and immovably on the cleaning head portion.
[0007]
In order to solve the above problem, the cleaning head is composed of at least two members, and the second member has a peripheral portion on which the first member is spread, and a flexible substance is fixed between them. Is done.
[0008]
Various concepts are conceivable for forming the flexible material to be exchangeable with the cleaning head. First, the flexible material can be secured to the cleaning head by binding, screwing, scissors, friction, adhesion, or sewing. Alternatively, for example, a fastening ring or an elastic ring formed as a rubber ring or the like can be used. In this case, the flexible material is fixed to the handle portion by one or two annular members. The use of the elastic annular member allows the flexible material to be exchanged in a simple manner. Alternatively, the flexible material can be crowned on the handle or cleaning head. Needle-like insertion also contributes to the possibility of simple and rapid coupling. It is also preferable to line the cleaning head with a flexible material.
[0009]
In one preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the cleaning head of the toothbrush is basically formed of two members, both of which are connected by insertion, fitting or other coupling methods, and the intraoral area within the connection. Essentially flexible materials or attachments for hygiene or dental hygiene are retained.
[0010]
The two members are preferably made of synthetic resin and are easily manufactured by injection molding or the like. By inserting or fitting, it is not necessary to use chemicals such as adhesives, which is also considered from a health management or hygienic standpoint. At this time, the insertion or the fitting connection can be made such that the flexible material fixed by the connection is fixed with a sufficient holding force.
[0011]
When the attached flexible material is used or worn, only the material can be replaced without renewing the toothbrush.
[0012]
In addition to the use of a flexible material fixed directly to the cleaning head, this flexible material is provided with an attaching portion for holding the flexible material, or on the other hand with an appropriate snap coupling or coupling flange. The substance can also be fixed to the member or to the cleaning head itself.
[0013]
In this case, the cleaning head can be integrally connected to the handle portion. Alternatively, the cleaning head or one member of the cleaning head can be formed to be attached to the grip handle so as to be removable or replaceable from the handle handle. Furthermore, both members can be formed in a similar shape, and these can be integrated to form a cleaning head, and the cleaning head itself can be attached to the tip of the grip handle. The clamping connection between each member or between the member and the cleaning head allows a very effective fixation of the flexible substance in a simple manner.
[0014]
In the preferred embodiment, the cleaning head is circular. The fact that the cleaning head is substantially circular is advantageous from the standpoint of avoiding sharp protrusions. The attachment of the cleaning head is supported by a circular shape, particularly when the flexible material is fixed between two members.
[0015]
In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning head is composed of a semi-member having substantially the same shape with holding means for holding the flexible material, and the semi-member in the fitted state receives the flexible material. Fix it. The advantage of this configuration is that the semi-finished member can be made with just one tool. Secondly, semi-finished members made with such tools can be connected to each other by plug or clamp connection. For example, when the semi-finished members are connected to each other, it is substantially cylindrical or crown-shaped, and the flexible material is held and fixed between the sharp ends as holding mechanisms protruding inward.
[0016]
According to this invention, the connection part by insertion or fixation is removable. Since each of the members can be reassembled, i.e., can be detached, the flexible material can be removed and replaced. Further, in the modification of the present invention, the flexible substance can be fixed with a fixing force that is extremely difficult to dissociate by configuring the insertion or fixing connection portion so as not to dissociate. It can also be formed in an elliptical or angular shape.
[0017]
In still another embodiment, the first member of the cleaning head is formed of a plate-like member, and a receiving portion is provided on the lower surface of the first member for coupling to, for example, a handle portion. The second member is also substantially plate-shaped and includes a peripheral portion where the first member is spread in use. These members are, for example, substantially circular, and the peripheral portion forms a connection structure in cooperation with the edge portion of the first member, thereby fixing and holding the flexible substance.
[0018]
According to the form proposed by the present invention, there are various advantages in attaching the cleaning head. This is because the attachment can be carried out in any suitable form and device.
[0019]
In use, the flexible material covers the surface of the second member and can be used to clean the teeth and oral cavity. For example, a relatively soft material can be used as the flexible substance. By forming it softly, a mild effect can be obtained on teeth and sensitive oral mucosa. This effect can be improved by backing with a foam material or an elastic layer, and the foam material is interposed between the plate member of the second member and the flexible material.
[0020]
Both the edge of the first member and the periphery of the second member are preferably circular or inclined so that the fiber material is not damaged or worn.
[0021]
With the help of flexible materials, it can absorb liquids such as mouthwash water, drugs, oral care liquids, cleaning liquids, etc., and distribute them on the teeth, gums, or other internal surfaces of the oral cavity. it can.
[0022]
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a cleaning head is replaceably installed on the handle. In this case, for example, consideration is given to the cleaning head being held in the grip handle portion so that the direction can be changed by a spherical type direction changeable mechanism or a hinge type direction changeable mechanism. A press-fit connection such as a dovetail connection is also possible. In this case, the cleaning head can be displaced in the lateral direction. In yet another modification, the cleaning head is fixed to the handle part. In this case, the handle part is mirror-symmetrically fitted from two members having substantially the same shape, There is a lack of flexible material between the head areas.
[0023]
In one embodiment of the invention, the flexible material or attachment retains the tooth bristles. In this case, tooth bristles made of, for example, fiber or synthetic resin are attached to the surface of the flexible material, which enables a good mechanical cleaning action. In one variant of the invention, of course, one attachment part, mounted by bristles in a conventional manner, is provided in the cleaning head, which clearly increases the variability.
[0024]
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fine fiber woven fabric is attached to the cleaning head, and as described above, the woven fabric is fixed or inserted into the cleaning head. With the help of such a fine fiber woven fabric, the tooth can be cleaned without using an extra substance such as toothpaste. This fine fiber woven fabric can be kept in a hygienic state without hindrance for a long time and can be cleaned only with water.
[0025]
As an example of the fine fiber woven fabric, there is a woven fabric formed by providing a ring-shaped or thin hook-shaped protrusion. As the fiber, a fiber made of polyamide, polyester, polyacryl, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polysulfone, or a mixture thereof is used. The average particle diameter of the normal material is 1 to 500 microns for monofilament fibers and 10 to 1000 microns for multifilament fibers. When using fine fiber woven fabric for dentition cleaning, the wire diameter of the fiber is selected so that it can be submerged in the uneven part of the tooth to remove contamination in order to save abrasive materials such as toothpaste. . At the same time, an abrasive substance can be added to the fine fiber woven fabric to transport a liquid such as tooth cleaning water to the teeth or mucous membrane.
[0026]
It is also possible to use other flexible materials such as abrasive cloth in the cleaning head, and various cleaning heads are fixed to the grip handle according to various uses such as polishing, washing, care, and cleaning. There is an advantage that you can. If the cleaning head is in a simple form, discarding when the cleaning head is replaced is reduced, and at the same time, diversity in oral hygiene is achieved.
[0027]
In addition, an abrasive paste or polishing solution can be retained in the flexible material to achieve an appropriate cleaning or polishing effect.
[0028]
In another embodiment of the present invention, a device for cleaning the interdental space can be attached to the grip handle as a cleaning head, and this device is a cleaning device for attaching tooth bristles or fine fiber woven fabric. A mounting portion similar to the head for use is provided. Thus, the structure is greatly simplified, and it is only necessary to replace individual cleaning heads with the same grip handle.
[0029]
Due to the redirectable structure within the embodiment of the present invention, the toothbrush of the present invention can reach any area in the oral cavity, so that the cleaning head can be pivoted within a suitable spatial angle member of the handle or It is arranged so that the direction can be changed. Thereby, it is possible to adjust the direction change of the cleaning head according to the surface to be cleaned or the surface to be cleaned in the oral cavity.
[0030]
In another embodiment of the present invention, it was found that the oral hygiene device of the present invention is applicable to cleaning of the oral cavity inner surface without being limited to teeth. In a variant of the invention, it has been found that the use of fine fiber woven fabrics gives very good results, especially in the field of tongue cleaning. This is because the surface of the tongue is relatively rough, and contamination, bacteria, and the like are likely to adhere to the surface. The formation of a fine fiber woven fabric as described above makes it possible to clean the tongue in particular, while providing a very comfortable sensation on the tongue. In particular, by using the oral hygiene device of the present invention, the depth of the tongue can be cleaned, and the lower surface of the tongue can be cleaned without any problem based on the length of the grip handle.
[0031]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
1 is a side view of a handle portion of a toothbrush according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed view of a toothbrush according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a side view of a preferred cleaning head according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a contour view of an assembling apparatus according to the present invention.
[0032]
FIG. 1 shows a toothbrush according to the invention. The toothbrush includes a grip handle portion 1, and the grip handle portion 1 includes a connection member 11 to which a cleaning head 2 is fixed at an upper portion of a grip handle tip portion 10. The grip handle distal end portion 10 is slightly bent with respect to the intermediate portion 13 of the handle handle portion 1 and has a shape suitable for ergonomics.
[0033]
The connecting member 11 is further enlarged in FIG. It is formed in a substantially spherical shape and is connected to the grip handle tip 10 by the root 15. The diameter of the root portion 15 is smaller than the diameter of the spherical portion 16, and is suitable for fixing the cleaning head 2 to the spherical portion 16 by backward cutting.
[0034]
In order to make the use convenient, an engraved portion 12 is formed in the intermediate portion 13 of the handle portion 1 in the handle portion 1.
[0035]
As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2, the area of the grip handle tip portion 10 that carries the connecting member 11, for example, the spherical portion 16, is formed in a substantially circular shape. When this area is inserted into the oral cavity, the presence of the rounded portion 14 does not create a danger due to sharp corners or the like, and the oral cavity is not damaged.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cleaning head 2 includes, for example, two semi-finished members 20 and 21 in this embodiment. Since these semi-finished members have the same shape, they are manufactured by the same injection mold.
[0037]
As apparent from the plan view of FIG. 5, the semi-finished members 20, 21 have a substantially semicircular portion 22, which has a plurality of sharp end portions 23 projecting inwardly.
[0038]
As shown in the cross-sectional view according to FIG. 4, projecting pins 25 project from the semi-finished members 20 and 21 (the connection surfaces thereof are indicated by 24) facing each other, and the corresponding openings 26 of the other members respectively. Inserted into each, and once inserted, the unseparated coupling of the two semifinished members 20, 21 along the connecting surface 24 is completed. These members are not dissociated unless they are broken in principle. The two semi-finished members 20 and 21 are press-fitted together along the coupling mechanisms 25 and 26 including the projecting pin and the perforation, thereby forming an inner cavity 27 that is substantially circular and curved. A sharp end 23 projects inward from the semi-finished members 20, 21. The circular cavity 27 corresponds to the outer shape of the semifinished members 20 and 21, but may have a different appropriate shape (square, rectangular, spheroid, etc.). The sharp end 23 serves to fix an object inserted into the internal cavity 27. When plugged in, it forms a coronal cleaning head, and a flexible material is placed in the internal cavity of the coronal portion.
[0039]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning head 2 carries a fine fiber woven fabric. The fine fiber woven fabric has a mushroom shape and is still located in the cavity 27 before the semi-finished members 20 and 21 are joined to each other. Then, the semi-finished members 20 and 21 are assembled with each other, and the sharp ends 23 are mutually wedged so as not to be detached from the cleaning head 2 by mutually deforming the woven fabric (not shown).
[0040]
The cleaning head 2 has a substantially spherical concave space portion 29 formed on the lower surface side (on the side 28 opposite to the cavity 27), and the spherical portion 16 is fitted and held in the concave space portion 29. Is done. Since the flexible material of the cleaning head 2 is rich in elasticity, the concave space portion 29 and the surface of the spherical portion 16 are rubbed and bonded without damaging the cleaning head 2. Thus, the cleaning head 2 is variably coupled to the grip handle 1 in the spherical direction. In the area of the spherical portion 16 of the handle 1, the geometrical shape of the lower surface 28 and the corresponding surface 17 form a possible tilt angle or spatial angle mechanism, with the handle 1 being centered on this. On the other hand, the cleaning head 2 can be rotated. The angle is about 20 degrees, more preferably 16 degrees.
[0041]
FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment. The first member 3 carries a receiving portion 31 on its lower surface 30. Here, the receiving portion 31 is, for example, a spherical concave space portion 29, which abuts on the surface of the spherical portion 16 at the grip handle distal end portion 10. In FIG. 6, a concave curved portion 34 is formed on the upper surface 33 of the member 3. However, the upper surface 33 may be formed in a planar shape.
[0042]
The second member 4 holds the flexible material 6, for example, a fine fiber woven fabric 60 by fixing. This fixing is achieved by the interaction between the peripheral portion 40 of the second member 4 and the edge 32 of the first member 3, in which case the connecting portion 5 is formed, between which the flexible material is formed. 6 is fixed. In the flexible material 6, a protrusion 61 is formed on the lower surface side 42 of the second member 4.
[0043]
In order to prevent damage to the flexible material 6, the edge portion 32 of the first member 3 and the peripheral portion 40 of the second member 4 are lightly rounded. In another embodiment of the present invention, a foam material overlay 62 is formed on the surface 41 of the second member 4, which serves as a backing and cushioning member for the flexible material 6. Still other elastic materials can be used.
[0044]
In order to attach the flexible material 6 or the fine fiber woven fabric 60 to the members 3, 4, 20, and 21, the attachment device 7 shown in FIG. 7 is prepared.
[0045]
In this attachment operation, first, the fine fiber woven fabric 60 is inserted into the apparatus 7, and then the corresponding member is placed on the fine fiber woven fabric 60. Next, the pedestal is press-fitted into the rotating lid. In order to advance the fine fiber woven fabric 60 to the inside, a narrowed portion 70 is formed, and the fine fiber woven fabric 60 is pressed and locked from the base toward the lid portion.
[0046]
Instead of using a flexible material, it is also possible to provide an attaching portion, which is held by each member, and that the attaching portion is covered with, for example, a fine fiber woven fabric or the like.
[0047]
Each claim in the claims filed with and after the application is intended to be accurately stated without prejudice for further protection of the right.
[0048]
Dependent relationships cited in each dependent claim define other different forms of the subject matter of the independent claim based on the characteristics of each lower claim. However, this should not be understood as abandoning the achievement of its own object protection with respect to the features of the lower claims cited from the preceding claims.
[0049]
Each feature disclosed only in the detailed description of the invention in advance has an important meaning for the invention in the course of the method and may be claimed, for example, to clarify the boundaries of the prior art. is there.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a side view of a handle portion of a toothbrush according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a toothbrush according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a preferred cleaning head according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a contour view of an assembling apparatus according to the present invention.

Claims (12)

Grip handle portion, a tooth having a role in oral hygiene or dental hygiene elevational one flexible material (6) to the cleaning head provided at the distal end of the grip handle section (2) and the cleaning head (2) and tongue An oral hygiene instrument for cleaning a part , wherein a flexible substance (6) is detachably fixed to a portion of a cleaning head (2) , and the cleaning head (2) has at least two members ( 3, 4), the second member (4) includes a peripheral portion (40) to which the first member is attached, and forms a connecting portion (5) between the first member and the second member (4). FLEXIBLE substance (6) is oral hygiene fixtures, characterized in that the or plug fixed is secured to the connecting portion (5). Grip handle portion, a tooth having a role in oral hygiene or dental hygiene elevational one flexible material (6) to the cleaning head provided at the distal end of the grip handle section (2) and the cleaning head (2) and tongue An oral hygiene device for cleaning a part , wherein a flexible substance (6) is detachably fixed to a portion of a cleaning head (2) , and the cleaning head (2) is inserted or fitted to each other. that consists of the same shape of the holding member (20, 21), cavity (27) is formed by mutually inserted or fitted retention member (20, 21), holding means for securing the flexible material (6) (23) oral hygiene fixtures, characterized in that it is formed to protrude to the cavity (27). The cleaning head (2) consists essentially of at least two members (20, 21, 3, 4) which are inserted, fastened or otherwise joined together, and within the connecting part (5) the oral cavity essentially flexible material (6) or oral hygiene fixtures according to claim 1, wherein the retaining the impregnated part to help hygiene or dental hygiene. The cleaning head (2) is integrally connected to the handle part, or one member of the cleaning head (2) or the cleaning head is attached to the handle part so as to be removable or replaceable from the handle part. oral hygiene fixtures of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein. Cleaning head (2) comprises a circular or elongated, oval, or angular claims 1, characterized in that it is formed in a shape oral hygiene fixtures according to any one of the 4. The flexible material (6) is secured to the cleaning head (2) by binding, screwing, scissors, friction, adhesion, or sewing, or held by a clamping ring, an elastic ring or an adhesive bond oral hygiene fixtures of any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized. 7. Oral hygiene according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cleaning head (2) is formed in a coronal shape and the flexible substance (6) is arranged inside the coronal part. vessel equipment. The first member (3) of the cleaning head (2) is formed of a plate-like member, the second member (4) is also substantially plate-like, and the peripheral portion (40) on which the first member is spread is provided. provided, the peripheral portion (40) of flexible material claims 1, characterized in that fixing hold (6) to oral hygiene fixtures according to any one of the 7 of the second member (4). The lower surface of the flexible material, for example elastic layer (62) oral hygiene fixtures according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that is formed consisting of the foam material. Connecting portion by insertion or anchoring (5) oral hygiene fixtures according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is removable. 11. The intraoral cavity according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cleaning head (2) is held in the grip handle (1) so that it can be redirected, exchanged or detachable in a push-fit connection. sanitary fixtures. The flexible material (6) is formed as a fine fiber woven fabric, a fiber woven fabric or a bristle holding woven fabric, and the flexible material (6) is infiltrated with an oral care liquid or a cleaning liquid as necessary. oral hygiene fixtures according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized.

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