SK284399B6 - Toothbrush with controlled movement of its head section and positioning method of this head section - Google Patents

Abstract

A toothbrush (12) having a handle (18) formed of interlocking opposed S-curved sections, the first (26) being relatively rigid and the second (28) relatively resiliently flexible, the opposed S-curved sections forming a generally elongated figure 8, having a transverse aperture within each segment of the figure 8, such that during brushing the user can manipulate the relatively rigid and resiliently flexible section to position the bristle bearing face (20) of the toothbrush to conform to the arcuate configuration of the dentiture.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to toothbrushes, and in particular to toothbrushes in which the position of their head can be controlled by applying pressure to specific sections of their hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional toothbrushes comprise regular tufts of bristles, each having a first end which is retained and attached to the head of the brush and a second end which is loose and used for cleaning. The free ends of the different tufts form a surface which is capable of being easily deformed by bending the bristles on contact with the surface to be cleaned, but which is unable to adequately conform to a complex shape. Such a complex shape occurs in the mouth where the teeth are usually seated in a "C" curve in the upper and lower jaw, each row of teeth therefore having an outer convex curve and an inner concave curve.

The desire of the users to force the brushes to conform to the teeth when brushing the teeth is expressed by the force of the brush followed by an adequate deformation of the bristles according to the arched teeth profiles. Such a forceful action of the toothbrush only leads to excessive wear of the tooth and gum surfaces without adequate adaptation of the toothbrush to the teeth to ensure the desired cleaning.

Toothbrushes with a flexible neck located between the brush head containing bristles and a handle for making the brush fit to the teeth profile are known in the art. Examples of such flexible toothbrush necks are the toothbrush components disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 759,490 and 4,520,526. According to the solution in US 759,490, the neck flexibility is provided by inserting a flexible and resilient material between the fixed head of the brush and the fixed handle, which flexible and resilient material may be reinforced with a second material of the same type. According to the solution of 4,520,526, neck flexibility is provided by an alternative embodiment in which either a portion of the material is removed from the top and bottom of the neck, or by forming an oval cavity in the neck extending from one side to the other. Such flexible and resilient toothbrush necks allow a resilient bend of the bristle head relative to the handle when the user exerts excessive force, thereby reducing the risk of damaging teeth and gums. Such flexible means, however, do not allow the user to control the contour of the brush head into the respective arc of the cleaned area in the mouth, to prevent excessive force in the first case.

US 4,333,199 discloses a toothbrush whose head is rotatably mounted on a coil spring above the head with a recess, such that the head is adapted to rotate and tilt when applied to the teeth. While such a bending action will allow the brush head to generally follow the arc of the cleaned area in the mouth, it does not provide the user with the ability to directly control the movements of the brush head, tilt and rotation.

PCT International Application WO / 89/10076 discloses a toothbrush, the design of which makes it possible to vary the angle between the brush head and the handle in order to position the brush head parallel to the arcuate part of the teeth. WO / 89/10076 discloses a toothbrush whose handle is pivotally attached to the head, the handle being formed by a pair of mutually separated rigid upper and lower sides which are rotatably connected to each other so as to be movable relative to each other along the length. Alternatively, these mutually separated rigid upper and lower sides may be joined by means of a flexible separating layer which also allows them to be displaceable against each other along the length. The use of such rotatably coupled elements, such as the handle and the head, controlled by the longitudinal displacement of the fixed sides of the toothbrush to precisely control the position of the toothbrush head is extremely strenuous. The lack of precision control is due to the existence of a pivotal connection, and due to its lack of stiffness or resistance, the tendency for excessive brush head movement will persist, while alternative use of the resilient layer will restrict the brush head movement proportional to its degree of resilience.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a toothbrush in which a user can specifically position the toothbrush head according to the arcuate configuration of the teeth and more precisely control the position of the toothbrush head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These disadvantages are overcome by a toothbrush consisting of an elongated handle formed of a relatively rigid longitudinal spine section generally curved in the shape of the letter "S", extending at one end into a relatively straight neck with a flattened head portion comprising a series of protruding tufts of bristles. In this case, an opposite corresponding generally S-shaped curved section of a relatively resiliently flexible elastomeric material is arranged opposite the longitudinal back section generally S-shaped, so that the opposing S-shaped curves generally form an elongated shape. Eights having transversely extending transverse upper and lower windows. When brushing the teeth, the user can manipulate the brush, i.e., press the upper, relatively rigid spine section curved in an "S" shape or the opposing, resiliently elastic elastomeric section while simultaneously compressing the opposing rigid or flexible elastomeric section to position the frontal toothbrush surfaces with stored bristles in a controlled manner to adapt to the arcuate configuration of the teeth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal perspective view of a first embodiment of a toothbrush according to the present invention, with an arbitrarily curved bristle pattern, a sufficiently clearly arranged elastomeric section around the handle extending to the base of the neck, and a relatively rigid backbone with a " FIG. 1 and a perspective view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1, with added vertical and horizontal planes, wherein the vertical plane is perpendicular to the toothbrush face and extends along the longitudinal axis A-A of FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and an enlarged base; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a third embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and an enlarged base; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a fourth embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and an enlarged base; FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the extended base to the head of the toothbrush of FIG. 1, optionally with a curved bristle pattern; FIG. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and an enlarged base; 7 is a cross-sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and an enlarged base; FIG. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a seventh embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and an enlarged base; 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an eighth embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and an enlarged base; and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of a ninth embodiment of a toothbrush of the present invention, with a typical flat bristle pattern and a typical tapered base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements in the various figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1 where the toothbrush 12 is shown.

In FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush according to the present invention disposed about a longitudinal axis AA, with an upper side 13 and an opposite lower side 15, wherein the toothbrush 12 is comprised of a head 14 extending from the neck 16 forming an integral part thereof; this neck 16 protrudes from the handle 18 with which it forms an integral part. The handle extends from the base 24 with which it forms an integral part. The head 14 has on its upper side 13 a face 20 from which tufts of bristles 22 project transversely to the longitudinal axis A-A.

According to the present invention, the head 14 can be bent with respect to the handle 18 in the vertical plane V shown in FIG. 1A, but is substantially rigid with respect to the handle 18 in the horizontal plane H shown in FIG. 1A. Such flexibility is due to the fact that the handle 18 is made up of several sections, being made up of sections made of at least two materials with significantly different elastic moduli, one section made of relatively stiff plastic and the other section made of a resiliently flexible elastomer . The relatively rigid plastic section consists of a longitudinal spine section 26, generally curved in the shape of an "S", extending from the neck 16 of the toothbrush 12 to its widened base 24. The resiliently flexible elastomeric section 28 is also generally curved in the shape of an "S". it is opposed to the longitudinal back section 26, generally curved in the shape of the "S", such that the openings of the longitudinal back section 26 in the shape of the "S" are closed by curves in the shape of the "S" shaped elastically flexible elastomeric section 28.

The longitudinal back section 26 curved in the shape of the letter "S" together with the opposing resiliently elastic elastomeric section 28 in the shape of the letter "S" form a common shape of the generally elongated figure eight. The interconnected S-shaped curves forming a generally eight-shaped handle define two windows, an upper window 30, closer to the neck 16 and a lower window 32, closer to the base 24, with both windows 30, 32 having approximately the same cross-sectional area. .

The windows 30, 32 have a sufficient cross-sectional area such that when a user applies a relatively greater force to the relatively rigid spine section 26 around the upper window 30 than to the opposed relatively flexible section 28 around the upper window 30, or to the opposite relatively rigid spine section 26 around the lower window. 32, the head 14 carrying the bristles attached to a position in the direction of the upper side 13 of the toothbrush 12. The forces involved in this user manipulation are shown in FIG. 1 with opposite arrows at acute angles to the longitudinal axis A-A. Therefore, the user may apply more force at a suitable angle to the relatively resiliently flexible section 28 around the upper window 30 than to the corresponding relatively rigid spine section 26 around the upper window 30 so that the bristle-bearing head 14 deflects to the opposite direction, i.e. from the top 13 of the toothbrush 12.

The sections of the S-shaped curves forming the handle 18 are connected to one another and are shown in FIG. 1, where they are substantially equidistant about the longitudinal axis A-A, but in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the interconnected S-shaped curve segments may be located more upstream of the longitudinal axis A-A of FIG. 2 or more beyond the longitudinal axis A-A of FIG.

3. Further, the windows 30 and 32 of FIG. 1 are generally oval, with a relatively short transverse axis relative to the longitudinal longitudinal axis, where their longitudinal longitudinal axis can be aligned or at an acute angle with the longitudinal axis AA of the toothbrush 12, these windows may be more round, with a much longer transverse axis their longitudinal longitudinal axis as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the windows 30 and 32 may be crescent-shaped as shown in FIG. 8th

According to the present invention, head 14, neck 16, spine section 26 in the shape of the "S" is manufactured by injection molding as an integral product of relatively rigid polypropylene or other plastic with a similarly rigid structure such as polyamide, i.e. nylon or polyester; a copolyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate which is acid-modified (PCTA), or cellulose plastic, or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Polypropylene or other rigid plastic preferably has a Shore hardness in the range of 40 to 110, more preferably 60 to 110, and most preferably 80 to 100.

A suitable polypropylene is commercially available from Huntsman Corporation, Longview, Texas, 75603, under the tradename Huntsman Polypropylene P4G3Z-039.

The relatively resiliently flexible elastomeric section 28 in the "S" shape can be made by injection molding of a variety of elastomeric materials, preferably thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Acceptable TPE materials for the relatively resilient flexible elastomeric S-shaped section 28 include styrene ethylene / butylene styrene (SEBS) styrene block copolymers such as styrene butadiene styrene, styrene isoprene styrene and related copolymers, and also thermoplastic polyurethane (TP). a vulcanate (TPV) consisting of a blend of polypropylene and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers), which is commercially available under the designation Santoprene, also described in US 5,393,796, or Vyram, another TPV consisting of a blend of polypropylene and natural rubber, both Santoprene and Vyram are elastomers marketed by Advanced Elastomer Systems LP, Akron, Ohio 44311. Another and preferred TPE is commercially available under the designation Dynaflex G6713, marketed by GLS Corp., Cary, Illinois 60013. These and other suitable elastomers typically have Shore hardness in range about 1 to 94, preferably about 15 to 60, and most preferably about 15 to 40.

The resiliently flexible elastomeric material may be sprayed around the handle 18 as shown in FIG. 4 in cross-section, as an elastomeric oversprayed area. The elastically flexible elastomeric "S" -shaped section is shown in FIG. 4 is shown as regions 38 and 40 which are separated in cross-section by a longitudinally relatively rigid spine section 26, generally curved in the shape of the letter "S". The degree of flexibility of both the relatively rigid backbone 26 and the elastically flexible S-shaped elastic section formed by the regions 38 and 40 can be further controlled by varying their thickness, i.e., to provide greater or less flexibility.

If a substantially clear appearance is required for relatively rigid toothbrush portions, such as toothbrush head 14, hamster 16, relatively rigid spine section 26, generally curved in an "S" shape, and base 24, may be of polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate or copolyester such as PCTA or SAN polyester or cellulose plastic such as cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). If a substantially pure appearance is desired for the resiliently elastic elastomeric of the toothbrush, i.e., the " S " resilient elastic elastomeric section 28, certain TPE or TPUS materials or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) may be used. Preferred substantially pure TPE is commercially available from Teknor Apex Company, Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02861, sold under the tradename 96-E0870A-03NT WAT CLR.

Alternative embodiments of the invention may include in the upper and lower segments of the handle 18 generally eight-shaped not only the two windows described above, but also in each segment a single window or array of 30,48,50,32,42, 44,46, i.e. three, four, five or six windows In the case of either a single window or such a group of windows in the handle 18, the relatively rigid spine section 26 forms the first side of each window or group of windows and the relatively resiliently flexible elastomer forms the second side of each window or group of windows. These windows may be generally crescent-shaped, generally oval or generally circular, with their longitudinal axis generally aligned with the longitudinal axis AA or inclined at an acute angle to the axis AA of the toothbrush 12. Such a plurality of windows may be located substantially about the longitudinal axis AA. toothbrush 12 or both sides thereof. An illustration of such alternative embodiments is shown in FIG. 6,7 and 9.

Since an embodiment of the present invention comprising an extended base, taken with the overall construction of the double parts, contributes significantly to the weight of a typical toothbrush, this base may be hollow to minimize additional weight. As shown in FIG. 5, such a hollow base may be formed by injection molding an inner, relatively rigid polypropylene layer 34 surrounded by a resilient and flexible elastomeric material 36 that comprises resiliently resilient elastomeric material. In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIG. 10, the present invention may include a typically tapered base 24 reducing weight gain.

Toothbrushes according to the present invention, consisting of several sections, can be produced by a plastic injection technology well known in the art. For example, according to the present invention, a section of resiliently flexible elastomeric material may be oversprayed around a handle 18 in a second injection operation, after a first plastic injection operation after forming a frame or carcass consisting of a hard head 14 with embedded bristles, neck 16 of relatively rigid back section 26 and the base 24. In this second injection molding operation, the frame is placed in a second mold into which elastically flexible elastomeric material is injected around the handle 18, more specifically around the relatively rigid backbone section.

26 extending from the base 24 to the base portion of the neck

16th

The facilitation of these two operations in the manufacture of toothbrushes by injection molding of plastics according to the present invention can be accomplished by using an injection mold for injection molding in two operations. Such forms are commercially available from a variety of suppliers including Machines Boucherie N.V., Izegem, Belgium; Anton Zahoransky GmbH & Company, Todtnau, Germany; or Braun Formenbau GmbH, Bahlingen, Germany. These molds can be mounted in typical plastic injection molding machines to carry out the injection molding process in two operations, for example 300 tonne plastic injection molding machines, commercially available from Engel Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH, Schwertberg, Austria or Netstal-Maschinen AG, Nafel, Switzerland.

The toothbrush bristles can be inserted into the toothbrush face 20 using more modern clamp-free technology as disclosed in US Patent 4,635,313; US 4,637,660; US 4,954,305; US 5,045,267; US 5,609,890; US 5,390,984; US 5,533,791 and 5,823,633. Such staple-free technology includes methods in which bristle tufts 22 are sealed into toothbrush head 14 by heating both bristle tufts 22 and toothbrush head 14, which are then joined together in the melting process or where the ends of bristle tufts 22 are forward position into the injection mold prior to the introduction of the toothbrush material, and this material is subsequently injected around the ends of the bristle tufts 22, blocking the tufts of bristles 22 in place in the toothbrush head 14.

Claims (18)

PATENT CLAIMS A user-controlled toothbrush comprising an elongated handle with a longitudinal axis, an upper side and a lower side, characterized in that the handle (18) consists of a first relatively rigid spine section (26) of generally curved shape of the letter "S"; a second oppositely flexible section (28) generally curved in the shape of the letter "S", wherein the first section (26) generally curved in the shape of the letter "S" passes at one end to the base (24) and at the other end into the neck (16) a flattened head part, the upper face of which comprises a series of protruding tufts of bristles and the opposite S-shaped sections define the shape of an elongated eight, with an upper and a lower segment, the upper segment comprising at least one upper the window (30; 48, 50) and the lower segment comprises at least one lower window (32; 42, 44, 46), the head being adjustable by applying pressure to the first p a substantially rigid spine section (26) curved "S" around the upper window (30, 48, 50) while compressing the opposing second relatively flexible section (28) in the "S" shape. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional areas of the upper and lower windows (30, 48, 50; 32, 42, 44, 46) are generally the same. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the upper and lower windows (30, 48, 50; 32, 42, 44, 46) are generally oval in shape. Toothbrush according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the upper and lower windows (30, 48, 50; 32, 42, 44, 46) are generally circular in shape. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the upper and lower windows (30, 48, 50; 32, 42, 44, 46) are generally crescent-shaped. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first spinal section (26) in the shape of the letter "S" has a Shore hardness in the range of 40 to 110. Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that one segment comprises a single window (30) and the other segment comprises a series of windows (32, 42, 44, 46). 8. A toothbrush according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises at least one window having an oval shape and whose main axis is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. Toothbrush according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises at least one window having an oval shape and its main axis forming an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. 10. A toothbrush according to claim 7, wherein said windows are generally circular in shape. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the relatively rigid spine section (26) has a Shore hardness in the range of 40 to 110. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the relatively elastically flexible elastomeric section (28) has a Shore hardness in the range of about 1 to 94. A toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that each segment comprises a series of windows (30, 48, 50; 32, 42, 44, 46). Toothbrush according to claim 13, characterized in that the windows (30, 48, 50; 32, 42, 44, 46) have an oval shape and their main axis is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. Toothbrush according to claim 13, characterized in that the windows (30, 48, 50; 32, 42, 44, 46) have an oval shape and their main axis forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the relatively rigid spine section (26) has a Shore hardness in the range of 40 to 110. Toothbrush according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the relatively elastically flexible elastomeric section (28) has a Shore hardness in the range of about 1 to 94. A method for positioning a toothbrush head according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the step of positioning the toothbrush head (14) by applying pressure to the first relatively rigid spine section (26) curved in the "S" shape around the upper window. (30, 48, 50), while simultaneously pressing the opposite second relatively elastically flexible section (28) in the shape of the letter "S".