JPH0212561B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a toothbrush. More specifically, the head is designed to be easily accessible to the interproximal space of the gum margin and below the gum margin, and which supports bristles on the oral, oral and lingual sides of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. The present invention relates to a bristle support head, support handle and handle structure for easier manual handling.

It is desirable to remove as much plaque as possible each time you brush your teeth, not only from the surface of the teeth but also from the interproximal space and below the gum line, but this is the basis of tooth decay and gum deterioration. Bacteria in dental plaque are isolated by isolating bacteria from their groups within the plaque form, i.e. by disturbing the plaque formed on the teeth and destroying the grouping of bacteria. It is now recognized that it is inactivated over a period of up to 24 hours. Therefore, rather than brushing teeth in a reciprocating motion parallel to the occlusal plane, teeth should be brushed in a rotary motion to reach below the gum line and avoid tooth erosion caused by reciprocating brushing motions. It is likewise recommended that teeth should be brushed by such rotary movements.

Currently available toothbrush structures do not facilitate the use of the desired rotary tooth brushing action and do not provide the means to facilitate access to the interproximal space and below the gum margin. , a toothbrush that not only prevents tooth brushing parallel to the occlusal plane and facilitates and encourages the desired rotary tooth brushing movement, but also has means for reaching the interproximal space and below the gum margin. There is currently a demand to provide.

For purposes of the present invention, the oral cavity and the tongue have bristles that are shaped, suitably sized, arranged and flexible to reach the interproximal space and below the gingival margin, and that the oral cavity and tongue are in position. It is particularly suitable for accessing the relatively inaccessible areas of molars and premolars in the lingnal cavity, and allows for simultaneous brushing of teeth in both the upper and lower arches. An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush structure that facilitates a desirable rotary tooth brushing motion while making it possible.

The present invention contemplates a handle having a major end terminating in an elongated, bristle-supporting head extending from the handle and having a major axis perpendicular to the long axis of the handle. This bristle support head is formed as a back with a flat surface. Projecting from this surface are a number of embedded bristles in a predetermined arrangement symmetrical on either side of the minor axis perpendicular to the long axis of the head. Arrangements of bristles that can be bundled into multiple tufts include wedge-shaped configurations such as a plurality of tufts with one tuft disposed as the apex adjacent each opposite end of the right opposite end of the bag. The length of the head along the main axis is such that when the handle is manually placed along the occlusal surface of the mouth in the open teeth-brushing position, the top bristles are placed between the teeth of both the upper and lower jaw arches. placed at a distance that allows easy penetration of the gum margin and interproximal space. If the tufts forming the top of the wedge-shaped configuration are centrally located on the main axis relative to the rounded end of the head, or if the end of the head tapers, the tufts forming the top may be It is arranged along the rear side edge or the front side edge of the head. The slope of the wedge-shaped form away from the respective apex corresponds to the fan-shaped profile of the gingival edge, thereby improving the possibility of the bristles penetrating under its margin and allowing the bristles at the apex to Improves the possibility of intrusion into the interproximal space at the gum line.

The trailing end of the handle has a stubshaft that removably fits into the axial hole of the handle, providing separation and relative rotation therebetween. The trailing handle is placed at an angle to the main handle, offsetting the main handle from the long axis of the handle. Relative rotation of the handle on the stubshaft occurs about the longitudinal axis to improve manipulation and orientation of the head within the user's mouth.

The bristle region adjacent to the minor axis perpendicular to the long axis of the head can be cut to a shorter length than the bristles located towards the ends of the head, including the bristles in the wedge-shaped configuration of the tuft; and facilitates bending of the bristles within the wedge-shaped configuration of the tuft in achieving the desired simultaneous penetration described above.

The improved hourglass-shaped head reduces the interproximal space and margin of the gums when keeping the main axis of the head parallel to the occlusal plane to give the toothbrush additional possibilities that are particularly useful when cleaning anterior teeth. To facilitate penetration, additional wedge-shaped formations of bristles and tufts are provided spaced apart along the forward and rearward edges of the head and between opposite ends thereof.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front view of a toothbrush included in the invention, with bristles terminating in a handle with branches from opposite sides, pivotally and movably mounted on the handle. The support head is shown, with a portion of the handle broken away to reveal the internal structure.

FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an elevational view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.

Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings is a partially enlarged view of the underside of the bristle support head of the toothbrush shown in Figure 2, showing the arrangement of the bristles and tufts and the wedge-shaped configuration at each opposite rounded end of the head; details.

FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings is a slightly enlarged side view of the head taken along line 4--4 of FIG.

Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings is a side view of the upper and lower jaw arches in the mouth in an open position with the toothbrush of Figure 1 being operated and brushing;
The bristles engage the oral surfaces of the teeth and extend below the gingival margins of both arches.

Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings is a similar view to Figure 3, but with an improved hourglass shape for placing the bristles and tufts in an additional wedge-shaped configuration along the opposite side edge of the head. It shows the head.

FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings is a partial view of one end of another improved version of a double-sided symmetrical head similar to FIG. placed adjacent to the edge.

If the drawings are explained in detail, 10 is a handle 20
A toothbrush is generally shown comprising an embodiment of the invention comprising a head 11 at the major end of a support handle 15 extending from the toothbrush. The head 11 is integral with a handle 15 of a suitable plastic material well known in the art, a support embedded therein, and a number of bristles extending from its flat underside 12a and arranged in a tufted pattern to be described below. It is formed as a bag 12 which can be molded into a shape. back 12,
The external shape of the head 11 is, as shown in FIG.
- has a length extending perpendicular to y and its principal axis x-x, and is generally elongated. The opposite ends 12b of the bag 12 are rounded, and the edges therebetween are substantially parallel and have a uniform width between the rounded opposite ends 12b.

The bristles 13 are suitably arranged on the orthogonally extending head 11 for the purposes of the present invention and to achieve access to the interproximal space and the gum margin as described above. For these purposes, bristles 1
3 is a tuft 1 according to a well-known toothbrush manufacturing method.
It can be embedded as 4. As seen in FIG. 3, the arrangement of the tufts 14 is symmetrical on both sides with respect to the minor axis of the head 11. The minor axis can be thought of as lying in the plane y-y. For example, four tufts 14
Each of the two rows R1 of is arranged on each adjacent side of the plane y-y. Each of the next two rows R2 of four tufts 14 and a single row R3 of three tufts 14 are successively placed on each side of the plane y-y beyond row R1, and the single last tuft R4 is The last tuft R4 crests and gives each end of the head 11 a wedge-shaped profile. Similarly, the bristles 13 of tuft 14, which are centrally arranged in four rows R1 on bag 12, are shorter than the bristles in rows R2, R3, and R4, as seen in FIG. The ends of the longer bristles are medium-height, with the tufts 14 disposed on or adjacent to the main axis x-x being longer than the tufts disposed laterally, as seen in FIG. It may be cut to give the outer shape of The bristles 13 are made of a natural material or a suitable synthetic material such as nylon, and their ends are bent enough to penetrate the gums downwardly when normal tooth brushing pressures are applied to the tooth surface. It has a kind of softness.

Although the head 11 constituting an embodiment of the invention is located on the handle of the toothbrush and the handle coaxially with each other, an improved construction is shown in FIGS. and a handle 20.

The main end region 16 of the handle 15, terminating at the outer end of the bag 12, has a long axis of the bow fixed at right angles to the main axis xx of the head 11. The opposite or inner end of the main end region 16 is
As can be seen in FIG.
It tapers slightly towards 1. In terms of width, the main end region 16 is wider at the inner end than the region 17, as can be seen in FIG. 2, and similarly tapers towards the head 11. Such an enlargement of region 16 adjacent region 17 provides an upwardly facing surface region 16a. Applying pressure to this surface area with the thumb or index finger will result in pressure being applied by the bristles 13 against the tooth. A cylindrical stub shaft 18 forms the rear end of region 17 and is arranged with its axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of region 16.

A handle 20 is cylindrically shaped and sized to be suitable for grasping in the user's hand for manual manipulation of the head 11 in the mouth in a preferred manner.
has an axle hole 21 at its main distal end sized to snapably engage the insertion shaft 18 for separation therefrom and rotation thereon. Behind the hole 21, the handle 20 is hollow and the storage chamber 2
It is equipped with 2. The storage chamber 22 fits into the threaded cap 23 with a central opening 23a for accessing the chamber 22 when it is in the installed position.

The actual use and operation of the toothbrush 10 should now be clear. To brush teeth on one side of the mouth, it is comfortable to hold the toothbrush 10 in the opposite hand. For example, when three fingers are wrapped around the handle, the angularly placed area 17 extends between the thumb and forefinger, so that the head 11 is able to cover the area 16 along the occlusal plane and into the oral cavity and the tongue. The tooth-contacting bristles 13 are arranged so as to easily position them in the cavity in which they are located. Although the jaw is kept fully open, the jaw line on both the upper and lower jaw arches, as illustrated in Figure 5,
The head 11 is in a relaxed state with the tufts R4 at both ends on the opposite side positioned. Brushing to achieve the desired result of destroying organized plaque is accomplished by applying light pressure to the teeth sufficient to bend the ends of the long bristles 13 in rows R2, R3 and R4. It is carried out with The head 11 has a circular motion, more precisely an oval shape, the main axis of the head 11 x
-Moves parallel to the main axis of an ellipse extending perpendicular to x. The perpendicular positioning of the major axis xx of the head 11 relative to the handle 15 and the positioning of the tuft 14 in accordance with the present invention are particularly suited to and facilitate this desired tooth brushing action. According to the desired brushing action, the wedge-shaped profile of the tufts 14 with rows R3 and R4 penetrates into the interproximal gap at the base of the tooth, and the bending of the bristles 13 causes the bristles to extend over the entire width of the respective tooth. It also extends downward along the gum line.

A circular tooth brushing motion is applied while slowly advancing the handle 15 along the occlusal surface. In this way, the intraoral surfaces of the teeth of all half of the mouth are carefully brushed, and then by rotating handle 15 by 180° with handle 20, the tongue of the teeth of the same half of the mouth is located on the top of the mouth. The surface facing the cavity is polished in the same way. handle 20
The branching of the main end region for the tooth provides easy access not only to the oral surface of the tooth, but also to the cavity surface on which the tongue is located. The other half of the mouth is then brushed in a similar manner by gripping the handle 20 with the opposite hand.

The use of the toothbrush 10 is not necessarily limited to simultaneous brushing of the upper and lower arches, but particularly when brushing the canines and incisors at the front of the mouth, the use of the toothbrush 10 is not necessarily limited to simultaneous brushing of the upper and lower arches; Can be applied for polishing as well.

The occlusal surfaces of the teeth are polished by regular short reciprocating strokes, using bristles 13 on half of the head 11 or, if desired, with the handle 2.
0 at right angles to the bow, thereby aligning the axis x--x for reciprocating motion along the bow and brushing with the bristles of all heads 11.

The head 11 of the toothbrush 10 can be matched to the size of a normal adult and a small child, for example, for its intended use. For adult use, the total length of the back 12 is approximately 24 mm.
The width of 10mm satisfies the required size of a large adult's mouth. The length of the longer bristles 13 in rows R2, R3 and R4 is preferably 10 mm, and in row R
1 is approximately 8 mm long.

Each row R3 on the opposite end of back 12
Maintaining the concept of giving the wedge-shaped configuration of the tuft 14, formed by the handle 15 and R4, FIG. Instead of being rounded as the ends 12a of the bag 12, the opposite ends 42a of the bag 42 taper forward, so that the last tuft R41 is located adjacent to the rear side edge 42a'; Because of the taper, the side edges 42d are longer than the front side edges 42e. Rows of tufts R1, R on back 42
2 and R3 are in the same arrangement as that on the bag 12, but the last tuft R14 as the top of the wedge-shaped configuration is located on one side of the main axis xx. In another embodiment of the head shown in FIG. 8, the tapered ends of the ends 42a are in opposite directions when the forward side edge 42e is the longer of the two side edges;
And it will be apparent that the last tuft R14 is located adjacent such forward side edge 42a. However, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tapered end 42a tapers from the longer rear side edge 42d to the shorter forward side edge 42e.
is preferred in the molar region of the mouth as it conforms to the contours of the cavity in which the oral cavity or tongue is located to facilitate tooth brushing therein and to minimize irritation to the mucosal oral folds.

On the other hand, the head of FIG. 8 has a shape that allows the maximum number of bristles in the tuft to reach the molar and gingival areas. These areas are the areas where plaque is most likely to accumulate and the head of Figure 8 is effective in reducing plaque in these areas.

Another modification of the toothbrush head is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the head 31 is
The head is shown as consisting of a bag having a flat underside 32a formed with handle 15 and having bristles 33 projecting tufts 34 in a predetermined pattern. Bag 32 has an hourglass profile with a pair of opposite end regions 32b, each region 32b having a rounded circular shape and interconnected by a compressed central portion 32c. Tuft 34 to be comparable to Head 11
are arranged symmetrically on both sides with respect to the minor axis of the head 31, i.e. with respect to the plane y-y, so that each of the two rows R11 of the two tufts 34 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the minor axis of the head 31, i.e. with respect to the plane y-y.
adjacent on each side of y. Then column R
On each side of plane y-y beyond 11, successively one row R22 of four tufts 34, one row R33 of five tufts 34, one row R44 of four tufts 34.
and one last tuft R5 is located at the farthest opposite end of the bag 32 on the main axis xx.

Toothbrush 10 is used in the same manner as described above for head 11 in a field configured to have a head 31 with an opposite end wedge-shaped configuration given by tufts 34 arranged in rows R5 and R44. In addition, the tufts 34 located at the opposite ends of the rows R22, R33 and R44 form a wedge-shaped configuration at opposite ends of the respective end regions 32b, so that the heads 31 are held in a vertical position. By squeezing the handle 20, it can be applied to the tooth with the major axis x--x extending parallel to the occlusal plane instead of perpendicular to the occlusal plane. The circular or oblong movement provided by the head 31, especially for tooth brushing of the front teeth, is achieved by the tufts in a wedge-shaped configuration located along both sides of the head 31 when the head 31 is held perpendicular to the occlusal plane. 34 in the interproximal space and the gingival margin;
It would also be possible to penetrate the wedge-shaped tufts at opposite ends of the heads 11 and 31.

Less than 12 rows of tufts 14 and 34 may be used within the scope of the present invention, as dictated by the size of backs 12, 42, and 32 and the size of each tuft 14 and 34. can.
For example, fewer than one row R2 and/or four rows R1 on each end of bags 12 and 42 may be provided. Similarly, the tufts 14 could be three in a row instead of the four in a row shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Similarly, fewer than four columns R11 may be used on the back 32, and each column R11, R22, R
33 and R44 tufts 34 can also be reduced in number. The bristles 33 of the row 11 of the bag 32 may be shorter than the bristles of the row of the end region 32b, as in the case of the bag 12. However, the end region 3
The orthogonal profile of the bristles 33 of 2b may be flat rather than tall as the bristles 13 shown in FIG.

If so desired, the bristles 13 and 33 are bilaterally symmetrical with a configuration that gives the backs 12, 41 and 31 the wedge-shaped profile shown and described with respect to the heads 11, 41 and 31, respectively. Can be installed as one tuft or as a pair.

By facilitating as well as requiring the above-mentioned circular or oblong brushing motion by the oral occlusal surface of the teeth and the cavity surface on which the tongue is located, the head 1
1, 41 and 31 and the long axis of the main end region 16 and the long axis of the head 20, which is also an aspect of the invention, The continuous use of undesirable tooth brushing habits that make long and forceful strokes across the oral surface and the cavity surface on which the tongue is located is prevented or strongly discouraged. For example, erosion of the surface layer of the tooth, especially along the enamel bond of the tooth (the cause of which is largely dependent on such parallel tooth brushing),
By using a toothbrush 10 with a head 11, 41 or 31, this is virtually eliminated or at least reduced in practice.

The easily separable connection between handle 20 and handle 15 allows one handle to accommodate a number of respective handles, one or more for each individual member of the family, each having a toothbrush head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It is also possible to use a handle equipped with a gingival pine surger such as a periodontal ligament auxiliary agent.

The branching feature of the main end 16 to the handle 20 allows the handle 2 to be expanded by enlarging the co-formed insertion shaft 18 to a convenient handle size.
0, the handle 15 can be maintained without relative rotation.

The storage chamber 22 can be used to contain spools of dental floss (not shown). The tip of the silk thread is supplied from the central opening 23a of the screw cap 23. Alternatively, you can carry a small tube or container of toothpaste or paste inside it when you travel.

It will be appreciated that the toothbrush structure described above achieves several objectives of the invention and meets the actual conditions of use well. Since various possible modifications can be made to the invention and various changes can be made to the toothbrush disclosed, all matter set forth above and shown in the accompanying drawings is only for purposes of illustration. It should be understood that the above description does not limit the invention in any way.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a front view of a toothbrush included in the invention, showing bristles pivotally and movably mounted on the handle, terminating in a handle with branches from opposite ends; The support head is shown, with a portion of the handle broken away to reveal the internal structure. FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an elevational view of the toothbrush shown in FIG. Figure 3 of the attached drawings shows
3 is an enlarged partial view of the underside of the bristle support head of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 2, showing details of the bristles and tufts arrangement and wedge-shaped configuration at opposite circular ends of the head; FIG. FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings is a slightly enlarged side view of the head taken along line 4--4 of FIG. Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings is a side view of the arches of the upper and lower jaws in the mouth in the open position with the toothbrush of Figure 1 being operated and brushing the teeth; It engages the oral surface and extends below the gingival margin of both arches. Figure 6 of the attached drawings is
Figure 3 is a similar view to that of the figure, but showing an improved hourglass-shaped head with additional wedge-shaped arrangement of bristles and tufts along opposite sides of the head. FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawings is a partial view of one end of another improved version of a double-sided symmetrical head similar to FIG. placed adjacent to the edge. Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings is a partial view of one end of a head similar to that of Figure 7, with opposite ends tapered and a top tuft located adjacent the forward edge of the head. has been done.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Between the interproximal surfaces of both teeth in the arches of the upper and lower jaws
and a toothbrush having the ability to simultaneously penetrate below the gingival margin, the toothbrush having a handle extending from the handle and a major end region of the handle having a long axis, the major end region being Extending between the ends of the head and terminating in an elongated bristle support head having a major axis perpendicular to said major axis, said bristle support head has a substantially planar surface and a pre-aligned minor axis of said head. consisting of a number of bristles projecting from the flat surface symmetrically on both sides in a predetermined arrangement, the major axis of the stalk being coaxial with the minor axis, and the predetermined arrangement of bristles including a wedge-shaped configuration with apex adjacent to each of the ends, the length of the head between the two apexes being such that each apex is at each gum margin of the arch when the mouth is in the open position. A structure of a toothbrush characterized in that the handle has a length such that the long axis of the handle is located within an occlusal plane. 2. The toothbrush structure of claim 1, wherein the top of the wedge-shaped configuration is located along the main axis of the head. 3. A patent claim in which both ends of the bag taper from the rear side edge of the bag to a relatively shorter front side edge, and the tops of the wedge-shaped form are located adjacent to the rear side edge. The structure of the toothbrush in the first range. 4. A patent in which the ends of the bag are relatively short from the front side edge of the bag and taper toward the rear side edge, and the tops of the wedge-shaped form are located adjacent to the front side edge. The structure of the toothbrush according to claim 1. 5. the back flat surface has an hourglass profile with rounded end regions, and the arrangement of bilaterally symmetrical bristles on the flat surface substantially conforms to the hourglass profile; and containing a set of second wedge-shaped bristle forms for each of the end regions, one of each wedge-shaped bristle form of the set being located along opposite side edges of the region. and
Thereby, when the main axis is applied to the tooth extending parallel to the occlusal surface, the head causes the second wedge-shaped configuration to penetrate into the interproximal surface of the tooth and below the gingival margin. The structure of a toothbrush according to claim 1, which is located in claim 1. 6. The structure of the toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the head has a main axis length in the range of 24 mm. 7. the handle has a major end region of the handle having a branch from the major axis and a major axis parallel to the major axis; the handle having an angularly disposed region connected to each other in relationship, the handle and the angularly disposed handle region being separable to exchange the handle with another handle; and means for releasably interconnecting the handle and the angularly disposed handle region include an insertion shaft terminating in the angularly disposed handle region; 2. A toothed axle according to claim 1, wherein the insertion shaft is fitted with one end of the shaft hole for relative rotation of the handle and head with respect to the handle. Brush structure.