KR20200045495A - Interdental brush - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interdental brush (1) comprising a brush part (2) and a shaft (3) for removably securing the interdental brush (1) to the handle part, wherein the brush part (2) is a bristle holder (4) and the bristles (5) fixed to the bristle holder (4). Here, the bristle holder 4 has a first end 7 to which the bristle holder 4 is anchored to the shaft 3, and the shaft 3 is made of two parts. The invention also relates to a combination article comprising an interdental brush 1 and a method for manufacturing the interdental brush 1.

Description

Interdental brush

The present invention relates to an interdental brush comprising a shaft for detachably fixing an interdental brush to a brush portion and a handle portion, wherein the brush portion includes a bristle holder and a bristle fixed to the bristle holder, and the bristle holder is a bristle holder Has a first end anchored to the shaft. The invention also relates to a method for making an interdental brush.

Comprehensive tooth care includes not only cleaning the teeth themselves, but also cleaning the spaces between the teeth. Bacteria can form in them, causing tooth decay, plaque and stomatitis. However, the space between the teeth is very difficult to clean with a toothbrush. For this reason, so-called interdental brushes are used to clean the interspace. They generally have brush heads with finer bristles that are much smaller than toothbrushes, so the brush head can be inserted between the teeth. The fine bristles are in this case secured to the bristle holders, which are often designed in the form of twisted wire. The bristle holder is cast or inserted into the shaft of an interdental brush, one end of which is generally made of plastic. Again the shaft is received in a manner known in the handle part. The handle portion can be held well by hand by the user, thus enabling good handling of the interdental brush.

During the use of the interdental brush, the brush head is strongly stressed and is often elastically or plastically bent. To ensure that the brush portion does not tear off the shaft of the interdental brush or that the brush portion can rotate on the shaft, the end of the brush portion cast in the shaft often has a shape, so the anchored end is better maintained in the shaft You can.

For example, JP 2008 154901 A (Lion Corp.) discloses an interdental brush, where the anchored end portion of a brush holder made of twisted wire secures the end portion to the plastic shaft of the interdental brush. It has an arcuate, rectangular, semicircular or triangular shape for anchoring.

DE 103 54 774 A1 (Zahoransky) discloses an interdental brush in which the brush portion is anchored non-removably to the handle grip. The handle grip includes a handle grip base body having recesses and a portion of the handle molded into the recess. First, the handle grip base body is manufactured by injection molding such that the central portion of the shaftless bristle end is cast into the handle grip base body. By the second injection molding, the angled end of the shaft is cast into the handle portion. The handle portion is made of a slightly softer, rubbery material compared to the base body, resulting in better grip.

This interdental brush with integrated handle grip is complicated to manufacture, since the handle portion must be injection molded into the base body in the second manufacturing step. Also, when the bristles of the brush part wear out, the entire interdental brush with the handle grip must be replaced. This is expensive and generates a lot of waste.

However, systems are also known in which the interdental brush can be detachably connected to the handle portion. If the interdental brush needs to be replaced, the interdental brush is separated from the handle portion, and a new interdental brush can be inserted into the handle portion.

Such a system with a handle part and an interchangeable interdental brush is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2005 047 340 A1 (Braun GmbH). The interdental brush includes grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, at the free end of the shaft facing away from the brush in the shaft. When the interdental brush is inserted into the opening of the handle portion, the wall section between the grooves forms a clamp with the inner wall of the opening of the handle portion. Thus, the interdental brush is held on the handle portion and, if necessary, can be separated from the handle portion for replacement.

Another embodiment of an interchangeable interdental brush is disclosed in WO 1986/02532 (Curaden). This interdental brush comprises a brush portion formed of a twisted wire loop and comprising a bristle carrier with bristles and an end portion without bristles. The end part is cast on a cylindrical shaft of an interdental brush made of plastic. At the free end of the shaft, a cross member is formed which forms a stop and has two arms. The threaded sleeve of the handle portion towards the cross member is inserted until the cross member is inserted into the groove formed in the handle portion, the threaded sleeve contacts the arm of the cross member and the arm is clamped between the threaded sleeve and the bottom of the groove of the handle portion. By being tightened, the interdental brush can be mounted on the handle portion.

Even in the case of an interdental brush that can be removably secured to the handle portion through the shape of the end portion of the bristle holder, the bristle holder can be held securely on the shaft. However, this known interdental brush has several disadvantages with respect to the connection between the bristle holder and the shaft.

Since the bristle holder often bends elastically or even plastically while using the interdental brush, the bristles holder's material is very strongly stressed by location. To make matters worse, this curvature of the bristle holder occurs mainly in one position, ie where the bristle holder comes out of the shaft. This often leads to material fatigue at these exit locations, which can result in bristle holder breakage.

To avoid the risk of bending or breaking the bristle holder, WO 1986/02532 (Curaden) discloses a shaft with a specially shaped bore for receiving the end portion of the bristle holder. The shaft made of rigid plastic includes an anterior, conical or hyperbolic section extending toward the outlet. The rear section of the end portion of the bristle holder is securely anchored to the rear section of the bore. The front section of the end portion of the bristle holder is flexibly supported with a gradually increasing play in the direction of the bristle in the gradually expanding section of the bore. Thus, the front section of the end portion can be elastically bent in the bore section, where the wall of the bore section prevents bending beyond the elastic limit of the bristle holder.

Despite this optimized shaped bore in the shaft, the bristle holder is strongly stressed in the exit position, and the bristle holder may be damaged or even broken. Also, the bore described above with a conical outlet is difficult to manufacture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an interdental brush belonging to the technical field mentioned at the outset, in which the receiving of the bristle holder on the shaft is improved and in this case the shaft is nevertheless easily manufactured.

The solution to this purpose is defined by the features of claim 1 of the present application. According to the invention, the shaft is made of two parts.

Through this, it can be made in a simple way to configure the shaft of the interdental brush to have different properties in some areas. Thus, for example, the first portion can have a different shape and can be manufactured in a different manufacturing process than the second portion of the shaft. Thus, different requirements for individual areas of the shaft can be better fulfilled.

Thus, for example, the area of the shaft where the bristle holder comes out of the shaft can be formed by a first part that is precisely formed and accurately guides the bristle holder, so that the bristle holder can bend without breakage during use. On the other hand, for example, the lower end region of the shaft need not be made precisely and may consist of a second part which serves only to firmly anchor the first end of the bristle holder. Thus, the second part can be produced cost-effectively with a simpler tool. Thus, for example, the second part can be produced through stamping or by a simple injection molding process. Thus, the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturing process for each part of the shaft can be selected. Through this, the shaft can be optimally configured.

As used herein, the term “interdental brush” is understood to mean a brush suitable for cleaning the space between the teeth of human or animal teeth. In this case, in order to use the interdental brush, there is a need for a handle portion that can detachably fix the interdental brush, for example by clamping or screwing. The handle portion is used so that the interdental brush is good for handling and thus can be accurately positioned and moved between the teeth. Accordingly, the handle portion capable of gripping the interdental brush by hand should be distinguished from the term "shaft" of the interdental brush. The shaft serves to anchor the bristle holder and detachably connect the interdental brush to the handle.

The term "anchoring" is understood to mean an inseparable connection. Thus, for example, the first end of the bristle holder can be glued, cast, or clamped to the shaft. Accordingly, a detachable connection, for example a plug or screw connection or a bayonet joint, does not fall under the term “anchoring”.

According to the invention, the shaft is made of two parts. Preferably, through this, the shaft is formed in two parts. That is, each part can be manufactured individually, and then connected to other parts to manufacture the shaft. In this case, the first and second parts can be detachably connected, for example by means of a plug connection or screw connection, or they can be connected to each other non-removably, for example by gluing or bonding. If the second part is made of plastic, the second part can be spray molded on the first part, for example by plastic injection molding, or the second part is ultrasonic welding, vibration welding (VIB welding), orbital welding , Can be connected to the first part by mirror welding or gluing.

The first part and the second part can be made of the same material or they can be made of different materials.

It is preferred that the shaft is divided into first and second parts in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. This means that parts of the shaft are continuously arranged in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. However, this does not exclude that individual areas or elements of the first and / or second part of the shaft protrude from each other in the longitudinal direction. Thus, for example, the first portion may include a projection, tab, or wing that protrudes to the second portion of the shaft in the longitudinal direction.

The first portion of the shaft preferably includes a projection projecting from the first portion in the longitudinal direction of the first portion and receiving a corresponding recess in the second portion of the shaft. Through this, the contact area between the first part and the second part of the shaft can be enlarged. This ensures a stable and reliable connection between the two parts.

The shaft preferably comprises two different materials. This allows the individual areas of the shaft to fit particularly well with each requirement. The first part of the shaft is preferably made of a first material, and the second part of the shaft is made of a second material. This allows the use of materials with different mechanical properties and different colors. Also, the parts may be manufactured using other manufacturing processes.

Thus, for example, the corresponding portion of the shaft where the bristle holder comes out of the shaft can be made of a more flexible or more elastic material than the second portion in the region of the free end of the shaft that is designed to be received in the handle portion. The second part can in this case be made of, for example, a hard wear-resistant material. Due to the flexible or elastic material of the first part in the area where the bristle holder comes out of the shaft, when the bristle holder is bent, the first part of the shaft is bent, but the bristle holder is nevertheless well supported, making the bristles in the outlet area Bending that exceeds the elastic limit of the holder can be avoided. Due to this, it is possible to prevent the brush head holder from being damaged. On the other hand, the second part of the region of the free end of the shaft is wear-resistant due to the hard material, and thus can be connected to the handle part without being damaged. In addition, through a hard material, a stable connection between the shaft and the handle portion can be made possible. However, the selection of the material may also be vice versa, or a soft or elastic material may be used in the second part in the region of the free end of the shaft, to enable an elastic connection between the interdental brush and the handle part. have.

In order to anchor the bristle holder to the area of the free end of the shaft through different materials, the bristle holder is secure to the shaft, as a material that can be particularly well suited to each shape of the first end of the bristle holder can be selected. Can be maintained. The first end of the bristle holder for anchoring to the shaft can be formed, for example, in a semicircular, V-shaped, serrated or curved shape.

Thus, the shaft of the interdental brush made of two materials can be tailored to the requirements particularly well. In addition, through the various materials of the shaft, the region can be made of the material most suitable for each shape of the region of the shaft. Thus, for example, the upper region of the shaft can be made of special plastic to enable particularly precise molding of the outlet opening by plastic injection molding. On the other hand, the lower region of the shaft can be made of a cost-effective material, for example because it requires less precise shaping. This enables efficient and cost-effective manufacturing.

However, the shaft may also include three, four or more different materials. The term "different" here refers to the properties of the material and is not related to the general name of the material, for example. This means that the first plastic with the first hardness and the second plastic with the second hardness are considered "two different materials" herein, but both belong to the term "plastic". However, the shaft may also comprise plastic and metal, for example. Also, materials having different colors are considered to be two different materials in this specification, even if they have the same properties except for colors. Thus, for example, according to this definition, blue plastic is a different material from red plastic.

The shaft preferably comprises a transition portion and an anchoring portion, wherein the first end of the bristle holder is anchored to the anchoring portion. The transition portion and the anchoring portion can have any shape. Thus, for example, they can each be formed into a cylindrical, spherical or cuboid shape. The transition portion and the anchoring portion can also be detachably connected, for example via a plug connection, or can be connected to each other non-removably.

The transition portion preferably corresponds to the first portion, and the anchoring portion corresponds to the second portion of the shaft. Since the shaft includes a transition portion and an anchoring portion, the function of the shaft is divided into first and second portions. This enables simple structure and manufacturing. Thus, for example, the anchoring portion can be configured for optimal anchoring of the first end of the bristle holder, while the transition portion can be configured for optimal support of the bristle holder, for example.

Preferably, the transition portion and the anchoring portion are cast together, so that they are rigid and inseparably connected to each other. This makes the shaft stable.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the shaft does not have a transition portion and an anchoring portion, and that the first end of the bristle holder is anchored to the two portions of the shaft.

The anchoring portion preferably comprises two wing portions projecting toward the transition portion in the longitudinal direction of the anchoring portion. The transition portion preferably includes two incisions for receiving the wing portion of the anchoring portion.

Through the wing, the contact area between the transition portion and the anchoring portion is increased. This allows a particularly strong connection between the transition part and the anchoring part. If the anchoring portion is spray molded to the transition portion, a particularly stable connection between the transition portion and the anchoring portion can be achieved through the enlarged contact area.

The bristle holder preferably has a bristle area, where the transition portion is disposed between the anchored first end and the bristle area of the bristle holder. Thereby, the bristle holder can be optimally guided and supported by the transition portion in the area between the bristle area and the first end. Thus, for example, if the bristle holder is bent when cleaning a tooth, the bristle holder can be supported through the bristle holder. Through this, the load applied to the bristle holder at the transition position where the bristle holder enters the anchoring portion can be reduced. Therefore, the load of the bristle holder can be reduced, and the risk of breakage or buckling of the bristle holder can be prevented.

The transition portion can have any shape. For example, it may be arranged laterally next to the bristle holder or may surround the bristle holder.

The transition portion preferably comprises the first of the two materials, and the anchoring portion comprises the second of the two materials.

The shaft is particularly advantageous because the material that is optimal for guiding the bristle holder can thereby be selected for the transition portion, and a material that enables particularly stable anchoring of the first end of the bristle holder can be selected for the anchoring portion. It can be advantageously configured. Thus, for example, as already described above, the transition portion can be constructed of an elastic material to guide and support the bristle holder even when deformed.

Since the transition portion may possibly contact the teeth and / or gums during tooth cleaning, the transition portion may consist of a softer material, reducing the risk of damage to the teeth or gums. On the other hand, a rigid or rigid material may be selected for the anchoring portion in order to stably and securely anchor the first end of the bristle holder to the anchoring portion.

Alternatively, the transition portion and the anchoring portion can also be made of a first material, and a third portion for connecting the shaft to the handle portion, for example a connection portion, can be made of a second material.

The second material advantageously has a greater bending stiffness than the first material.

For example, if the anchoring portion has a material having a greater bending stiffness than the material of the transition portion, the first end of the bristle holder can be anchored particularly stably and firmly to the anchoring portion by the rigid material, while the transition is less rigid Particularly good guidance and support of the bristle holder can be achieved by the part, since the transition part can be slightly elastically deformed with the bristle holder.

Thus, the anchoring portion preferably comprises a material having a greater bending stiffness than the material of the transition portion.

Alternatively, two different materials may also have the same bending stiffness.

The first material is preferably plastic. The second material is preferably plastic. Plastics are readily available and are very suitable for the production of transition and / or anchoring parts by plastic injection molding. Through this, the transition portion and the anchoring portion can be produced in mass production cost-effectively.

Alternatively, the transition portion and anchoring portion can also be made of other biocompatible materials, for example ceramic or metal.

The transition portion preferably comprises an opening extending from the first side of the transition portion to the second side of the transition portion, wherein an area of the bristle holder is located within the opening. Through this, the bristle holder is surrounded in all directions by the transition portion in the region of the transition portion. Thus, optimal guidance and support of the bristle holder is possible through the transition portion. The opening is preferably designed as a bore and has a circular cross section. In other embodiments, the opening may also have a rectangular, triangular or polygonal cross section.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the transition part is disposed only on one side of the bristle holder and does not include an opening.

The opening advantageously has a chamfer on the first side of the transition portion. This means that the opening is formed in such a way that it gradually expands towards the first side of the transition portion. Through this, the bristle holder located in the opening can move and bend more and more in the direction toward the first side of the transition portion within the opening. Thus, a uniform bending stress is achieved, so that the risk of bending and breaking of the bristle holders that are otherwise present at the exit of the opening at the first side of the transition portion can be reduced. The chamfer preferably has an angle of less than 30 ° measured between the longitudinal axis of the opening and the surface of the chamfer. This enables good guidance and support of the bristle holder in particular.

When the opening has a circular cross section, the opening preferably has a circumferential chamfer around the opening at the first side of the transition portion. If the opening has a rectangular, triangular or polygonal cross section, the opening preferably has a chamfer at each edge of the opening at the first side of the transition portion.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the transition portion does not have a chamfer.

Since the internal dimension of the opening is preferably larger than the external dimension of the area of the bristle holder located within the opening, the bristle holder is movable within the opening. In this case, the external dimensions relate to the cross section of the bristle holder. This means that when the bristle holder has a substantially circular cross section, the external 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. If the opening has a circular cross section, the inner dimension corresponds 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 is movable within the opening and can be easily deformed. This means that the bristle holder is guided within the opening of the transition portion with slight play. Through this, the risk of buckling and breakage of the bristle holder can be reduced.

Alternatively, the bristle holder can be guided within the opening of the transition portion without play.

The transition portion and the anchoring portion are preferably formed integrally. This means that the transition part and the anchoring part, which can preferably be manufactured individually, are connected to each other by a single member. Through this, the shaft can be configured compactly. Since the transition portion and the anchoring portion can be connected to each other, preferably by injection molding, the transition portion and the anchoring portion are integrally formed.

Alternatively, the transition portion and the anchoring portion are also not formed integrally and may consist of two separate portions, for example loosely coupled by a bristle holder.

The anchoring portion preferably includes a locking element for removably securing the interdental brush to the handle portion. By means of the locking element, the shaft can be fixed to the handle portion in a simple and reliable manner. This facilitates handling of the interdental brush. The locking element is preferably designed in the form of a cross member with two arms arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Through this, simple locking can be achieved, for example, by combining the handle portion with the bayonet of the interdental brush.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the anchoring portion does not have a locking element. In this case, the shaft can be simply inserted into the opening of the handle portion, for example.

The bristle holder is preferably made of twisted wire. Through this, the bristles can be held firmly and securely in the bristle holder by being clamped between turns of the twisted wire. Therefore, it becomes possible to manufacture the bristle holder simply and cost effectively.

Alternatively, the bristle holder can be made of, for example, a plastic bar.

The bristle holder advantageously comprises an arcuate shape at the first end. With this, the bristle holder can be anchored particularly reliably to the shaft, because the bristle holder cannot simply tear off the anchoring part in the axial direction of the bristle holder, or the bristle holder is undesirably centered around its axis within the anchoring part. Because it can rotate. Since the arcuate features are preferably designed in a semicircular shape, and the rearmost region of the first end is preferably designed again in a straight line, such features are designed in the form of depressions or bulges of the bristle holder.

The bristle holder preferably has a bristle-free section between the bristle and the first end, so that there is a distance between the bristle and the transition portion.

The bristle holder can be particularly well elastically deformed in a section without bristles, since there is no bristle in this section that can prevent the bristle holder from moving. Through this, elastic deformation of the bristle holder required during use is possible.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the bristle holder can have a bristle along its entire length that is not anchored to the shaft and thus not have a bristle-free section.

The invention also relates to an assembly having at least two interdental brushes as described above, wherein each of the at least two interdental brushes comprises individual features on the shaft.

Through these features, one interdental brush can be distinguished from the other interdental brush. The term "combined article" is understood to mean at least two interdental brushes with different properties. The interdental brush can have different properties, for example:

· The length of the brush head,

· The thickness of the brush head,

· Elasticity of the bristles,

· The shape of the brush head,

· The elasticity of the bristle holder, or

· Possibility to use for certain handle parts, for example click plastic holder, aluminum holder or angle piece.

Through the individual features, the interdental brush in the combination article can be clearly and clearly characterized to the user. This simplifies the handling of multiple interdental brushes with different properties.

Individual features are, for example, the shape of the shaft, the surface structure of the part of the shaft, the outer contour of the bristle, the color of the bristles or the color of the part of the shaft, the material selection for the two parts of the shaft or the two parts of the shaft to each other It can be formed by a method. Thus, for example, the shaft may have a rectangular, triangular or circular cross section to characterize the interdental brush.

Each of the two parts of the shaft preferably forms an encoding. This enables simple individual features. For example, the first part may have a different color than the second part of the shaft, or the first part may be made of a material different from the second part of the shaft, for example. In addition, encoding may also be achieved using laser engraving, tampon printing, embossing or insert plates, for example. Further, for example, the first portion of the shaft may have a rectangular cross section, and the second portion of the shaft may have a round cross section. In addition, using several elements per part, more diverse information can be encoded by combining two part encodings.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the individual parts of the shaft have no encoding and thus are not distinguished from each other.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an interdental brush comprising the following steps:

a) providing a brush portion comprising a bristle holder and a bristle fixed to said bristle holder;

b) providing a transition portion, the transition portion comprising an opening extending from the first side of the transition portion to the second side of the transition portion;

c) inserting the first end of the bristle holder through the opening from the first side of the transition portion, until the region of the first end projects from the second side of the transition portion;

d) attaching the anchoring portion to the second side of the transition portion, so that the protruding area of the first end of the bristle holder is anchored to the anchoring portion, and the anchoring portion is fixed on the transition portion.

With the method according to the invention, the interdental brush can be produced efficiently. The anchoring portion can be provided, for example, by ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, orbital welding, mirror welding or by adhesion on the second side of the transition portion. There is also the possibility that the anchoring portion is attached to the second side of the transition portion by spraying by injection molding.

By welding the anchoring portion to the transition portion, gluing the two portions, or spraying the anchoring portion on the transition portion, the anchoring portion and the transition portion are firmly and inseparably connected to each other. This means that the shaft including the transition portion and the anchoring portion is integrally formed. Through this, a compact configuration of the shaft is possible.

The anchoring portion is preferably spray molded on the second side of the transition portion by plastic injection molding. Plastics for injection molding are readily available and available in different properties. With this, the shaft of the interdental brush can be optimally tailored to the requirements. In addition, by spray molding the anchoring portion, the bristle holder has its first end securely held in the anchoring portion.

Preferably, after the step of inserting the first end of the bristle holder through the opening, the first end is deformed. The first end of the bristle holder is preferably deformed arcuately. However, the first end can also be deformed in other ways, for example by a rectangular bend, zigzag shape, or curvature. By deformation, the first end of the bristle holder can be particularly well anchored to the anchoring portion, so that the bristle holder does not tear out from the anchoring portion or the bristle holder can rotate about its longitudinal axis in the anchoring portion.

When the bristle holder is made of a wire structure, the first end of the bristle holder can be easily formed into an arcuate shape by bending the wire.

Alternatively, there is also the possibility that the first end does not deform.

From the following full description and claims, a combination of other advantageous embodiments and features of the present invention is obtained.

The drawings used to describe the exemplary embodiment are as follows.
1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an interdental brush according to the present invention, wherein the cross-section extends through the longitudinal axis of the interdental brush.
2 shows a schematic side view of another embodiment of an interdental brush according to the invention.
3 shows a side view of the transitional part of the interdental brush.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of the transition portion of FIG. 3.
5 shows a side view of another embodiment of the transition portion.
FIG. 6 shows a front view of the transition portion of FIG. 5.
7 shows a side view of another embodiment of the shaft of an interdental brush.
8 shows a top view of the shaft of FIG. 5.
9 shows a schematic view of a combination article of interdental brushes.
10 shows another embodiment of a combination article of interdental brushes.
11 shows another embodiment of a combination article of interdental brushes.
In principle, the same reference numerals are provided to the same parts in the drawings.

1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an interdental brush 1 according to the invention. The cross section here extends through the longitudinal axis of the interdental brush 1. The interdental brush 1 comprises a brush portion 2 and a shaft 3. The brush part 2 comprises a bristle area 6 for cleaning the space between the teeth. The shaft 3 represents the connection between the brush portion 2 and the handle portion not shown here.

The brush part 2 comprises a bristle holder 4 made of twisted wire and a fine bristle 5 held between the twisted wire. In the area of the bristles first end 7 of the bristle holder 4, the bristle holder 4 does not include the bristles 5. The bristle area 6, which serves to clean the space between the teeth, is arranged in the area of the second end. The shaft 3 of the interdental brush 1 is formed by the transition portion 8 and the anchoring portion 9. The transition portion 8 comprises a continuous opening 10 from the first side of the transition portion 8 to the second side of the transition portion 8. Here the first side of the transition part 8 faces the bristle area 8, and the second side of the transition part 8 is connected to the anchoring part 9. The bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 passes through this opening 10 of the transition portion 8 and is anchored to the anchoring portion 9. This means that the transition portion 8 is disposed between the bristle area 6 and the bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4, while the anchoring portion 9 forms the bristle-free end of the shaft 3 Thus, it means that the closed part of the interdental brush 1 is formed accordingly. At this free end, the anchoring portion 9 comprises a locking element in the form of a cross member 11 with two arms 12.1 and 12.2, to lock the interdental brush 1 to the handle portion. Since the handle portion not shown here can be gripped by the user by hand, the user can accurately position and move the interdental brush 1 between the teeth by the handle portion.

The cross member 18 is located in the region of the free end of the shaft 3 in the anchoring part 9, ie at the end of the shaft different from where the entrance of the opening 10 with the chamfer 14 is present do. The arms 12.1 and 12.2 of the cross member 11 are arranged to face each other and protrude from the shaft 3 at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 3. The arms 12.1 and 12.2 have a substantially square cross section. The handle portion has two grooves open upwards, where each groove can receive one arm 12.1, 12.2 of the cross member 11.

To fix the interdental brush 1 to the handle portion, the arms 12.1 and 12.2 are placed in the groove of the handle portion, after which the interdental brush 1 is rotated about its longitudinal axis. Through this, the arms 12.1 and 12.2 are further inserted into the groove, so that the interdental brush 1 can no longer be moved away from the handle portion in the direction of its longitudinal axis. Thus, the interdental brush 1 can be locked with the handle portion in a bayonet engagement manner by its cross member 11.

2 shows a side view of another embodiment of an interdental brush 200 according to the present invention. In contrast to the first embodiment according to FIG. 1, in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the interdental brush 200 includes a circumferential groove 215 at the free end of the anchoring portion 209. Through this, this embodiment of the interdental brush 200 is such that one protrusion that engages into the groove 2158 when the interdental brush 200 is inserted into the handle portion, so that the interdental brush 200 is retained in the handle portion Requires the included handle part.

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

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the bristles 5 are placed in the bristle area 6 of the bristle holder 4 over the entire circumference of the twisted wire, so that the bristles 5 are twisted wires or without gaps. It protrudes in all directions from the bristle holder 4. The bristle 5 here protrudes from the twisted wire at an angle of 60 ° to 80 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bristle holder 4. Between the bristle area 6 and the bristle end 7 of the bristle holder, the bristle holder 4 comprises a bristle free area 13. Thereby, a distance exists between the bristles 5 and the first side of the transition part 8.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the shaft 3 is shown to be formed by the transition part 8 and the anchoring part 9 in the illustrated embodiment. Here, the anchoring portion 9 and the transition portion 8 have a circular cross section. They also have the same outer diameter. The transition portion 8 is made of soft plastic by plastic injection molding, and the anchoring portion 9 is made by injection molding of a hard plastic having a greater bending stiffness than the soft plastic compared to the transition portion. Here, the anchoring portion 9 is spray molded onto the transition portion 8, so that the transition portion 8 and the anchoring portion 9 are integrally formed by being irremovably connected to each other.

The bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 is here cast in the anchoring part 9. The casted bristle-free end 7 of the bristle holder 4 includes a semicircular shape 20 so that the bristle holder 4 cannot tear off the anchoring portion 9. Through this feature, it is ensured that the brushless end 7 cannot rotate about the longitudinal axis of the bristle holder 4 and cannot be displaced in the axial direction.

The anchoring portion 9 has two opposing wing portions 19.1, 19.2, which protrude from the anchoring portion 9 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 3 in the direction of the bristles 5. The wing portions 19.1 and 19.2 have a semicircular shape. In other embodiments, the wings 19.1, 19.2 may, however, also have other shapes. For example, they can be formed into triangles as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The transition portion 8 has opposite shapes and includes two incisions in which one wing portions 19.1 and 19.2 are respectively received, so that the outer contour of the shaft 3 maintains a cylindrical shape over its entire length. Through the wing portions 19.1 and 19.2 of the anchoring portion 9, the contact area between the anchoring portion 9 and the transition portion 8 is increased. Thereby, the anchoring part 9 can be particularly advantageously connected to the anchoring part 9 when spray-molded on the transition part 8. The increased contact area is advantageous in embodiments in which the anchoring portion 9 is connected to the transition portion 8 by ultrasonic, vibration, orbital or mirror welding or by adhesion.

The anchoring part 9 is here made of colored plastic (eg purple) and the transition part 8 is made of differently colored plastic (eg black). Through this, encoding that enables elasticity of the bristles and length of the bristles to be clearly recognized by the user is available. However, in other embodiments, encoding may also be accomplished using laser engraving, tampon printing, embossing, or insert plates.

In Figures 3 and 4, the transition part 8 is shown without the brush part 2. 3 shows the transition part 8 in a side view. 4 the transition part 8 is shown in front view. This means that the transition portion 8 is shown rotated 90 ° about the longitudinal axis compared to FIG. 3. 3 and 4, there are shown cutouts 18.1, 18.2 in which the wing portions 19.1, 19.2 of the anchoring portion 9 are received.

3 and 4 also show that the opening 10 in the transition part 8 is continuously formed. The opening has a circular cross section. Since the inner diameter of the opening 10 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bristle holder 4 here, the bristle holder can move within the opening. In the transition portion 8, the opening 10 includes a chamfer 14 on the first side of the transition portion 8. The chamfer 14 here becomes larger towards the inlet of the opening 10 or towards the first side of the transition part 8. Through this, the chamfer 14 has a hyperbolic cross section as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Through this chamfer 14, the bristle holder 4 not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is moved and bent toward the entrance of the opening 10 on the first side of the transition portion 8 within the opening 10. All. This creates a continuous transition from the first end 7 of the bristle holder 4 which is immovably and rigidly cast in the anchoring portion 9 to the bristle area 6.

5 and 6 show a further embodiment of the transition portion 108 without the brush portion 2. In contrast to the transition portion 8 of FIGS. 3 and 4, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes triangular incisions 1118.11 and 118.2, which correspond to the anchoring portion 9. Wings (19.1, 19.2) formed in a triangular shape can be accommodated.

7 and 8 further embodiments of the shaft 303 of the interdental brush without the brush portion 2 are shown. Here, FIG. 7 shows the shaft 303 in a side view. The upper region of the shaft 303 is shown here in cross-section, where the section in this region extends through the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303. Through this, the opening 310 in the shaft 303 can be better seen. Also, due to space, the entire length of the shaft 303 is not shown. FIG. 8 shows a top view of the shaft of FIG. 7.

The shaft 303 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is used in another embodiment of an interdental brush according to the present invention. This differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in terms of manufacturing. In the embodiment of the interdental brush according to Figs. 7 and 8, the anchoring portion 309 at the time of manufacture was not spray-formed afterwards as described above, but was previously individually produced with the transition portion 308. Thereafter, the bristle holder 4 has its brushless end 7 inserted into the opening 310 in the shaft 303 and adhered to the shaft 303. However, for clarity, only shaft 303 is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 without bristle holder 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the opening 310 in the shaft 303 runs through the transition portion 308 and ends at the anchoring portion 309. Here the opening 310 is formed by three inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3, having a triangular cross section, where all sides of the triangular cross section are the same length. This shape of the opening 310 can be clearly seen in FIG. 8. As can be appreciated, the opening 310 is not continuous, and has a closed portion approximately in the longitudinal direction from the center of the shaft 303, the closed portion being aligned at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303 It is formed by. In the end region 311 of the opening 310, it also includes a tapered portion. This means that the inner walls (313.1, 313.2, 313.3) taper to each other in this end region (311).

In the transition portion 308, the opening 310 includes a chamfer 314 on the first side of the transition portion 308 facing the bristle portion. The chamfer 314 here includes the first chamfer surfaces 315.1, 315.2, 315.3, which are created by chamfering by conventional circular and conical chamfer cutters. The chamfer 314 further includes second chamfered surfaces 316.1, 316.2 316.3 created by chamfering the three inner walls 313.1, 313.2, 313.3. This means that the three inner walls (313.1, 313.2, 313.3) transition to one of the second chamfered surfaces (316.1, 316.2, 316.3) in the direction of the first side of the transition portion (308), respectively. The first chamfered surfaces 315.1, 315.2, 315.3 have an angle of 20 ° to 30 ° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 303, and the second chamfered surfaces 316.1, 316.2, 316.3 have a shaft 303 ) At an angle of less than 30 ° to the longitudinal axis.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the anchoring portion 309 has an end region with a slightly smaller outer diameter at its free end, so a shoulder 316 is formed in the anchoring portion 309. In addition, the anchoring portion 309 includes a circumferential groove 319 in this end region with a smaller outer diameter. In addition, in this end region, the anchoring portion 309 is cut in the longitudinal direction of the anchoring portion 309, so that the anchoring portion 309 has a surface 318 aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anchoring portion 309. Have At the end of the anchoring portion 309, the anchoring portion 309 is also chamfered, so that the anchoring portion 309 can be more easily inserted into the opening in the handle portion not shown. The handle portion into which the shaft 303 is inserted has a corresponding counter shape, so when the shaft 303 is connected to the handle portion, the surface 318 is supported on the counter surface in the handle portion. In addition, the handle portion includes a protrusion that engages the groove 319 of the anchoring portion 309 to retain the shaft 303 when the shaft 303 is inserted into the handle portion.

9 shows a combination article with an interdental brush 100.1-100.5 in a schematic and simplified form. The combination article comprises, for example, five interdental brushes (100.1-100.5), each of these interdental brushes comprising bristles having different hardness and shape. In order for the interdental brush 100.1-100.5 to be distinguishable by the user, each shaft contains a different encoding. To this end, it is preferable that the transition portions 108.1-108.5 are colored differently from the anchoring portions 109.1-109.5, respectively. Here, the color of the anchoring portion (109.1-109.5) preferably represents the elasticity of the bristle, and the color of the transition portion (108.1-108.5) preferably represents the shape or length of the bristle. In other embodiments, encoding may also be based on the shape of the shaft. Thus, for example, each anchoring portion 109.1-109.5 or each transition portion 108.1-108.5 may have a different cross-section, for example rectangular, triangular or circular. By specific combinations of the cross sections of the anchoring portions 109.1 to 109.5 and transition portions 108.1 to 108.5, individual characterization of the interdental brushes 100.1 to 100.5 may likewise be possible.

10 shows another embodiment of a combination article having an interdental brush 500.1-500.5. In contrast to the combination article of FIG. 9, the interdental brush 500.1-500.5 shown in FIG. 10 includes grooves in the shaft, respectively, in which the interdental brush 500.1-500.5 is held in the handle portion, respectively. The protrusion of the handle part is engaged.

11 shows another embodiment of a combination article having an interdental brush 600.1-600.6. This interdental brush 600.1-600.6 includes a bristle head having a spherical, parallelogram or triangular outer contour.

The arrangement of Figures 9-11 is not limited to the combinations shown here. Thus, for example, the interdental brush 600.1-600.6 in FIG. 11 or the interdental brush 500.1-500.5 in FIG. 10 may also include a cross member for connection to the handle portion, such as the interdental brush 400.1-400.5. It might be. Moreover, any combination of all interdental brushes shown (400.1-400.5, 500.1-500.5 and 600.1-600.6) may be placed in one combination article.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments of the interdental brush described herein. Thus, for example, the shaft of an interdental brush can also have an opening with a rectangular or polygonal cross section. Further, the chamfer of the transition portion may have a different shape. There is also the possibility that the transition portion and / or the anchoring portion does not have a cylindrical cross section, for example a rectangular or polygonal cross section. In addition, the interdental brush need not necessarily have a locking element, and if it comprises, it need not be designed as a cross member or in the form of a groove, as described above. Also, the brush portion may be designed differently. Thus, for example, the bristle holder can be made of plastic.

In summary, it is found that an interdental brush can be created that accommodates the bristle holder in the shaft in an improved manner and includes a shaft that is easy to manufacture.

Claims (18)

An interdental brush (1) comprising a brush part (2) and a shaft (3) for removably fixing an interdental brush to a handle part, said brush part (2) comprising a bristle holder (4) and said bristle holder (4) ) Comprises a bristle (5) fixed to the bristle, and the bristle holder (4) comprises a first end (7) to which the bristle holder (4) is anchored (anchored) to the shaft (3), the interdental brush In (1),
Interdental brush, characterized in that the shaft 3 is made of two parts. According to claim 1,
The interdental brush, characterized in that the shaft 3 comprises two different materials. The method of claim 1 or 2,
The shaft 3 comprises a transition part 8 and an anchoring part 9, the interdental characterized in that the first end 7 of the bristle holder 4 is anchored to the anchoring part 9. brush. The method of claim 3,
The bristle holder 4 includes a bristle area 6, and the transition portion 8 is disposed between the anchored first end 7 of the bristle holder 4 and the bristle area 6. Interdental brush, characterized in that. The method of claim 2 or 3,
The interdental brush, characterized in that the transition portion (8) comprises the first of the two materials, and the anchoring portion (9) comprises the second of the two materials. The method of claim 5,
The interdental brush, characterized in that the second material has a greater bending stiffness than the first material. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The transition portion 8 comprises an opening 10 extending from the first side of the transition portion 8 to the second side of the transition portion 8, wherein one area of the bristle holder 4 is the Interdental brush, characterized in that located in the opening (10). The method of claim 7,
Interdental brush, characterized in that the opening (10) comprises a chamfer (14) on the first side of the transition portion (8). The method of claim 7 or 8,
Since the internal dimension of the opening 10 is larger than the external dimension of the area of the bristle holder 4 located within the opening 10, the bristle holder 4 is movable within the opening 10 Interdental brush, characterized in that. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9,
The interdental brush, characterized in that the transition portion (8) and the anchoring portion (9) are integrally formed. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10,
The anchoring portion 9 comprises a locking element 11 for separably fixing the interdental brush 1 to the handle portion. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
Interdental brush, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) is made of twisted wire. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Interdental brush, characterized in that the bristle holder (4) comprises an arcuate shape at the first end (7). The method according to any one of claims 3 to 13,
The bristle holder 4 comprises a section without bristles between the bristle 5 and the first end 7, characterized in that there is a distance between the bristle 5 and the transition portion 8 Interdental brush. A combination article comprising at least two interdental brushes 1 according to claim 1, characterized in that:
Each of the at least two interdental brushes 1 comprises an individual feature on the shaft 3. The method of claim 15,
Combination article characterized in that each of the two parts of the shaft (3) forms an encoding. In the method for manufacturing the interdental brush (1),
a) providing a brush portion 2 comprising a bristle holder 4 and a bristle 5 fixed to said bristle holder 4;
b) providing a transition portion 8 made of a first plastic, the transition portion 8 extending from a first side of the transition portion 8 to a second side of the transition portion 8 ( 10)-;
c) the bristles from the first side of the transition portion 8 through the opening 10 until a region of the first end 7 protrudes from the second side of the transition portion 8 Inserting the first end 7 of the holder 4;
d) By attaching an anchoring portion 9 to the second side of the transition portion 8, the projected area of the first end 7 of the bristle holder 4 is attached to the anchoring portion 9 Being anchored, the anchoring part 9 being fixed on the transition part 8
How to include. The method of claim 17,
After the step of inserting the first end 7 of the bristle holder 4 through the opening 10, the first end 7 is deformed.

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