SK63899A3

SK63899A3 - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: SK63899A3
Application number: SK638-99A
Authority: SK
Inventors: Donna Beals; Maisie Wong-Paredes; Thomas Craig Masterman; Michael Roberts; Bradley Castillo
Original assignee: Gillette Canada
Priority date: 1997-11-12
Filing date: 1998-11-06
Publication date: 2000-05-16
Also published as: NZ335854A; DE69811634T3; CA2271852C; JP2001507981A; DE19881632T1; DE69811634D1; ID21723A; EP0955837B2; EP1240847B1; AR048240A2; RO120310B1; AU742959B2; HUP0004254A3; ES2192797T5; TR199901208T1; PL191797B1; GB2333697A; AU1313799A; GB9911198D0; JP2008093449A

Abstract

A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head extending from the handle; and three tufts of bristles secured to the head, the tufts each being at an acute angle relative to an imaginary line which is tangent to or co-planar with a surface of the head through which the tufts are secured to the head, two of the three tufts differing in cross-section, the three tufts being angled and aligned substantially toward the same direction, the direction being substantially parallel with the handle, the direction being substantially towards or away from the handle, a first one of the three tufts having a length, a second one of the three tufts being adjacent to the first tuft and having a length shorter than the length of the first tuft, and a third one of the three tufts being adjacent to the first tuft and having a length shorter than the length of the first tuft. <IMAGE>

Description

Vynález sa týka všeobecne oblasti starostlivosti o zuby a najmä kefky na zuby. Vynález sa týka predovšetkým kefky na zuby s trojrozmerným tvarom štetín kvôli umožneniu dokonalejšieho čistenia medzizubných a ďasnových marginálnych častí zubov.The invention relates generally to the field of dental care and in particular to toothbrushes. In particular, the invention relates to a toothbrush having a three-dimensional bristle shape to allow for a more thorough cleaning of the interdental and gum marginal parts of the teeth.

Doterajší stav technikyBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Čistenie zubov kefkou a niťou sú základné kroky na dosiahnutie správnej zubnej hygieny. V praxi sa použitie nite, bohužiaľ, nestretlo s väčším používaním širokou populáciou, i keď je väčšine populácie známe, že čistenie niťou je niečo, čo môže byť súčasťou správnej ústnej hygieny. Ďalej, i ľudia, ktorí občas používajú niť, nevykonávajú potrebné čistenie v ťažko prístupných oblastiach úst. Bohužiaľ, zatiaľ čo väčšina komerčne dostupných zubných kefiek čistí vonkajšie lícové plochy adekvátne, neumožňuje dokonalé vyčistenie plaku a zvyškov z blízkosti ďasien, medzizubných priestorov, povrchu jazyka a ďalších ťažko prístupných oblastí úst.Brushing and brushing your teeth are the basic steps to achieving good dental hygiene. In practice, the use of yarn has unfortunately not been widespread by the widespread use of the general population, although it is known to most populations that yarn cleaning is something that can be part of good oral hygiene. Furthermore, even people who occasionally use thread do not perform the necessary cleaning in hard to reach areas of the mouth. Unfortunately, while most commercially available toothbrushes clean the exterior cheeks adequately, it does not allow perfect plaque and residue removal near the gums, interdental spaces, tongue surface and other hard to reach areas of the mouth.

Jedným dôvodom, prečo takéto zubné kefky zodpovedajúcim spôsobom nezaistia vyčistenie zadných zubov, t.j. zubov múdrosti alebo stoličiek, je to, že jeden alebo viacero chumáčov pripevnených k hlave zubnej kefky pri umiestnení v najväčšej vzdialenosti od rukoväte zubnej kefky sa nevykloní do smeru, v ktorom hlava vystupuje z rukoväte. Z tohto dôvodu tieto chumáče umiestnené na konci hlavy zubnej kefky nemôžu dostatočne vyčistiť stoličky v zadnej časti úst.One reason why such toothbrushes do not adequately ensure the cleaning of the back teeth, i. of wisdom teeth or stools is that one or more tufts attached to the toothbrush head when positioned at the farthest distance from the toothbrush handle will not tilt in the direction in which the head protrudes from the handle. Therefore, these tufts located at the end of the toothbrush head cannot adequately clean the chairs at the back of the mouth.

Ďalej majú takéto kefky chumáče alebo štetiny, ktoré sú sklonené k rukoväti a ďalšie chumáče, ktoré sú sklonené od rukoväte, všetky tieto chumáče majú v podstate rovnakú dĺžku a majú rovnaký priečny prierez. V dôsledku toho, pokiaľ tieto sklonené chumáče majú čistiť jednu časť zuba dostatočným spôsobom, ďalšie časti zuba nemôžu byť vyčistené dostatočne vďaka ich rovnakej dĺžke, umiestneniu a priečnemu prierezu chumáčov.Furthermore, such brushes have tufts or bristles that are inclined to the handle and other tufts that are inclined from the handle, all of which are substantially the same length and have the same cross-section. Consequently, if these inclined tufts are to clean one part of the tooth sufficiently, the other parts of the tooth cannot be cleaned sufficiently due to their equal length, location and cross-section of the tufts.

212/B212 / B

Ďalej súčasné riešenia popisujú kefky na zuby majúce štetiny s troma rôznymi typmi priečnych prierezov. Pritom je kefkou potrebné čistiť viac ako tri časti zubov, t.j. vonkajšiu bukálnu plochu, okraj ďasna, medzizubné plochy, povrch jazyka a zadné stoličky. Doterajšie kefky tak nemajú chumáče s dostatočnou variabilitou priečneho prierezu prispôsobeného na čistenie všetkých plôch zubov.Further, current solutions disclose toothbrushes having bristles with three different types of cross-sections. In this case, it is necessary to brush more than three parts of the teeth with the brush, i. the outer buccal area, the gingiva, the interdental surfaces, the tongue surface, and the back chairs. The prior art brushes thus do not have tufts with sufficient cross-sectional variability adapted to clean all tooth surfaces.

Podstata vynálezuSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Niektoré z vyššie uvedených nedostatkov sú odstránené uvedeným vynálezom. Stručne zhrnuté, podľa jedného aspektu tohto vynálezu, zubná kefka obsahuje rukoväť, hlavu, vystupujúcu z rukoväte a niekoľko chumáčov štetín pripevnených k hlave. Jedny chumáče sú pripevnené k hlave v takom mieste tak, že ďalší chumáč je pripevnený k hlave v mieste, ktoré je vo väčšej vzdialenosti od rukoväte ako je miesto, kde je jeden chumáč upevnený k hlave. Jeden chumáč je sklonený okolo 81 stupňov alebo menej vzhľadom k imaginárnej osi, ktorá je tangenciálna k alebo rovnobežná s povrchom hlavy, v ktorom je jeden chumáč pripevnený k hlave. Jeden chumáč je sklonený od hlavy, smerom ktorým hlava vystupuje z rukoväte.Some of the above drawbacks are overcome by the present invention. Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention, a toothbrush comprises a handle, a head extending from the handle, and a plurality of bristles attached to the head. One tuft is attached to the head at such a location that the other tuft is attached to the head at a location which is more distant from the handle than where one tuft is attached to the head. One tuft is inclined at about 81 degrees or less with respect to an imaginary axis that is tangential to or parallel to the head surface in which one tuft is attached to the head. One tuft is inclined from the head, in which the head protrudes from the handle.

Sklonením jedných chumáčov, ako je to popísané v predchádzajúcom odseku, chumáč je schopný vystupovať cez koniec hlavy zubnej kefky, a tak čistí stoličky v zadnej časti úst dokonalejším spôsobom.By bending one of the tufts as described in the previous paragraph, the tuft is able to protrude through the end of the toothbrush head and thus cleans the chairs at the back of the mouth in a more perfect way.

Podľa ďalšieho aspektu vynálezu obsahuje rukoväť, hlavu, vystupujúcu z rukoväte a niekoľko chumáčov štetín pripevnených k hlave. Dva z chumáčov sú sklonené vzhľadom k imaginárnej osi, ktorá je tangenciálna k alebo rovnobežná s povrchom hlavy, v ktorom sú dva chumáče pripevnené k hlave. Dva chumáče majú navzájom iné vlastnosti vybrané zo skupiny vlastností obsahujúcich dĺžku, priečny prierez, farbu, materiál a ich kombináciu.According to a further aspect of the invention, it comprises a handle, a head protruding from the handle, and a plurality of bristles attached to the head. Two of the tufts are inclined relative to an imaginary axis that is tangential to or parallel to the surface of the head in which the two tufts are attached to the head. The two tufts have different properties from each other selected from the group of properties comprising length, cross-section, color, material and combinations thereof.

Zhotovenie sklonených chumáčov, ktoré sa odlišujú svojou dĺžkou, priečnym prierezom, farbou, materiálom alebo ich kombináciou, umožňuje takto skloneným chumáčom čistiť viac ako jednu časť zubov. Napríklad jeden typ sklonenýchThe construction of inclined tufts, which differ in length, cross-section, color, material or a combination thereof, allows such inclined tufts to clean more than one part of the teeth. For example, one type of sloping

212/B chumáčov bude čistiť bukálnu stranu zuba, zatiaľ čo druhý typ sklonených chumáčov bude čistiť medziľahlé priestory medzi zubami.212 / B tufts will clean the buccal side of the tooth, while the other type of inclined tufts will clean the intermediate spaces between the teeth.

Podľa tretieho aspektu vynález obsahuje rukoväť, hlavu, vystupujúcu z rukoväte a niekoľkonásobné chumáče štetín pripevnené k hlave. Niekoľkonásobné chumáče obsahujú chumáče s aspoň piatimi rôznymi priečnymi prierezmi.According to a third aspect, the invention comprises a handle, a head protruding from the handle, and multiple tufts of bristles attached to the head. Multiple tufts comprise tufts with at least five different cross-sections.

Pri vyhotovení chumáčov s aspoň piatimi rôznymi priečnymi prierezmi môžu tieto chumáče čistiť dostatočne všetky plochy zubov, t.j. vonkajšie bukálne plochy, okraje ďasien, medzizubné medzery, povrch jazyka a zadné stoličky.In the case of tufts having at least five different cross-sections, these tufts can sufficiently clean all tooth surfaces, i. external buccal surfaces, gum edges, interdental gaps, tongue surface and back chairs.

Tieto a ďalšie aspekty, predmety, riešenia a výhody predmetného vynálezu budú zrejmejšie a jasnejšie z uvedeného nasledujúceho detailného popisu výhodných vyhotovení a priložených nárokov a s pomocou priložených výkresov.These and other aspects, objects, solutions and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and clear from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Prehľad obrázkov na výkresochBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Na obr. 1 je znázornená v axonometrickom pohľade zubná kefka podľa tohto vynálezu.In FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of a toothbrush of the present invention.

Na obr. 2 je znázornená zubná kefka z obr. 1 v pohľade zhora.In FIG. 2 shows the toothbrush of FIG. 1 in a top view.

Na obr. 3 je znázornená zubná kefka z obr. 1 v pohľade zboku.In FIG. 3 shows the toothbrush of FIG. 1 in a side view.

Na obr. 4 je znázornená časť hlavy zubnej kefky s príslušnými chumáčmi z obr. 1.In FIG. 4 shows a portion of the toothbrush head with the associated tufts of FIG. First

Na obr. 5 je znázornená ďalšia časť hlavy zubnej kefky s príslušnými chumáčmi z obr. 1.In FIG. 5 shows another part of the toothbrush head with the respective tufts of FIG. First

Na obr. 6 je znázornený rez časťou hlavy zubnej kefky vedený rovinou 6-6 z obr. 3.In FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. Third

Na obr. 7 je znázornená vo zväčšenej mierke v axonometrickom pohľade hlava a časť rukoväte zubnej kefky z obr. 1.In FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the head and portion of the toothbrush handle of FIG. First

212/B212 / B

Príklady uskutočnenia vynálezuDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Najprv s odkazom na obr. 1 až 3 zubná kefka 10 obsahuje rukoväť 12 a hlavu 14, ktorá vystupuje z rukoväte 12 v smere D. Celková dĺžka zubnej kefky 12 je s výhodou okolo 7,7 palca, zatiaľ čo šírka hlavy 14 v jej najširšej časti je s výhodou okolo 0,5 palca. Hlavné časti 16 rukoväte 12 a hlavy 14 sú zhotovené v jednom kuse z polypropylénu. Zvyšné časti rukoväte 12 obsahujú úchytnú časť 18 pre palec, optimálne ochrannú známku 24, s výhodou s veľkosťou okolo 8,3 palca a prstovú úchytnú časť 20, sú s výhodou zhotovené z termoplastického elastoméru, s výhodou z gumy (hydrogenovaný alebo nehydrogenovaný olejom plnený blok kopolyméru styrénu alebo butadiénu alebo izoprénu majúceho tvrdosť A podľa Shorea od 5 do 70). Úchytná časť 18 pre palec a úchytná časť 20 pre prsty majú sériu sedemnástich zvýšených rebier 22, ktoré pomáhajú uchyteniu rukoväte. Rebrá 22 sú s výhodou široké 0,05 palca.Referring first to FIG. 1-3, the toothbrush 10 comprises a handle 12 and a head 14 extending from the handle 12 in the direction D. The total length of the toothbrush 12 is preferably about 7.7 inches, while the width of the head 14 at its widest portion is preferably about 0 .5 inch. The main parts 16 of the handle 12 and the head 14 are made in one piece of polypropylene. The remainder of the handle 12 includes a thumb grip portion 18, optimally a trademark 24, preferably about 8.3 inches in size, and a finger grip portion 20 are preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably a rubber (hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated oil filled block). a copolymer of styrene or butadiene or isoprene having a Shore A hardness of from 5 to 70). The thumb grip portion 18 and the finger grip portion 20 have a series of seventeen raised ribs 22 to assist in gripping the handle. The ribs 22 are preferably 0.05 inches wide.

S odkazom na obr. 3 až 7 je vidieť niekoľko chumáčov 26 štetín, ktoré sú pripojené k hlave 14 zubnej kefky. Každý chumáč 26 je zhotovený z veľkého množstva štetín a všetky štetiny sú s výhodou na svojich koncoch zaoblené. Je tu prítomných päť rôznych druhov chumáčov 26 pripevnených k hlave 14. Všetky druhy chumáčov 26 majú priečny prierez, ktorý sa odlišuje ako plochou, tak tvarom od ostatných chumáčov 26.Referring to FIG. 3 to 7, several tufts of bristles 26 are shown that are attached to the toothbrush head 14. Each tuft 26 is made of a plurality of bristles and all bristles are preferably rounded at their ends. There are five different kinds of tufts 26 attached to the head 14. All tufts 26 have a cross-section that differs in both surface and shape from the other tufts 26.

Prvý druh chumáčov 26, typ 28 je vytvorený zo štetín zhotovených z polybutyléntereftalátu (PBT) s brusivom ako sú častice kaolínovej hliny rozmiestneným v PBT. Tieto štetiny majú v priemere medzi 0,005 až 0,009 palca, s výhodou 0,007 palca. Dĺžka týchto štetín, meraná od povrchu 30 hlavy 14, je okolo 0,440 palca. Plocha prierezu chumáča typu 28 je okolo 0,0373 štvorcového palca, veľkosť chumáča, meraná od povrchu hlavy je okolo 0,0164 kubického palca (s výhodou je táto veľkosť medzi približne 0,015 a 0,018 kubickými palcami). U riešenia je iba jeden typ 28 chumáča pripevneného k hlave 14 a je umiestnený vo väčšej vzdialenosti od rukoväte 12 ako ostatné chumáče.The first type of tufts 26, type 28, is formed of bristles made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) with abrasive such as kaolin clay particles distributed in the PBT. These bristles have on average between 0.005 to 0.009 inches, preferably 0.007 inches. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is about 0.440 inches. The cross-sectional area of the tuft type 28 is about 0.0373 square inches, the tuft size measured from the head surface being about 0.0164 cubic inches (preferably this size is between about 0.015 and 0.018 cubic inches). In the solution, there is only one tuft type 28 attached to the head 14 and is located at a greater distance from the handle 12 than the other tufts.

212/B212 / B

Druhý druh chumáčov 26, typ 32 pozostáva zo štetín zhotovených z nylonu typu Indicators™, ktoré sú tvorené zo 6,12 nylónu a sú zafarbené na modro na svojich vonkajších povrchoch. Ako je dobre známe zo súčasného stavu techniky, modrá farba na týchto štetinách sa po čase pomaly stiera stým, ako sa kefka používa na indikáciu, do akej miery je zubná kefka opotrebovaná. Tieto štetiny majú priemer medzi od okolo 0,005 do 0,009 palca, s výhodou majú priemer 0,007 palca. Dĺžka týchto štetín, meraná od povrchu 30 hlavy 14, je okolo 0,350 palca. Plocha prierezu všetkých chumáčov typu 32 je okolo 0,0045 štvorcového palca. Ako je znázornené na obr. 6, chumáče typu 32 majú kruhový prierez. K hlave 14 je pripojené medzi 8 a 12 chumáčov typu 32.The second type of tufts 26, type 32, consists of bristles made of Indicators ™ nylon of 6.12 nylon and are blue tinted on their outer surfaces. As is well known in the art, the blue color on these bristles slowly wipes over time as the brush is used to indicate the extent to which the toothbrush is worn. These bristles have a diameter of between about 0.005 to 0.009 inches, preferably a diameter of 0.007 inches. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is about 0.350 inches. The cross-sectional area of all tufts of type 32 is about 0.0045 square inch. As shown in FIG. 6, tufts of type 32 have a circular cross-section. Between 8 and 12 tufts of type 32 are connected to the head 14.

Tretí druh chumáčov 26, typ 34, pozostáva zo štetín zhotovených z PBT s brusivom ako sú častice kaolínovej hliny rozmiestnené v PBT. Tieto štetiny majú priemer medzi od okolo 0,005 do 0,009 palca, s výhodou majú priemer 0,007 palca. Dĺžka týchto štetín, meraná od povrchu 30 hlavy 14, je okolo 0,440 palca. Plocha prierezu všetkých chumáčov typu 34 je okolo 0,0027 štvorcového palca. Ako je znázornené na obr. 6, chumáče typu 34 majú obdĺžnikový prierez so zaoblenými koncami. K hlave 14 je pripojené medzi 8 a 12 chumáčov typu 34.A third type of tufts 26, type 34, consists of bristles made of PBT with abrasive such as kaolin clay particles distributed in the PBT. These bristles have a diameter of between about 0.005 to 0.009 inches, preferably a diameter of 0.007 inches. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is about 0.440 inches. The cross-sectional area of all tufts of type 34 is about 0.0027 square inch. As shown in FIG. 6, the tufts of type 34 have a rectangular cross-section with rounded ends. Between 8 and 12 tufts of type 34 are connected to the head 14.

Štvrtý druh chumáčov 26, typ 36 pozostáva zo štetín zhotovených z PBT s brusivom ako sú častice kaolínovej hliny rozmiestnené v PBT. Tieto štetiny majú priemer medzi od okolo 0,005 do 0,009 palca, s výhodou majú priemer 0,007 palca. Dĺžka týchto štetín, meraná od povrchu 30 hlavy 14, je okolo 0,440 palca. Plocha prierezu všetkých chumáčov typu 36 je okolo 0,0040 štvorcového palca. Ako je znázornené na obr. 6, chumáče typu 36 majú obdĺžnikový prierez so zaoblenými koncami a zaberajú väčšiu šírku naprieč hlavou ako štetiny typu 34. K hlave 14 je pripojených medzi 4 a 6 chumáčov typu 36.A fourth type of tufts 26, type 36, consists of bristles made of PBT with abrasive such as kaolin clay particles distributed in the PBT. These bristles have a diameter of between about 0.005 to 0.009 inches, preferably a diameter of 0.007 inches. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is about 0.440 inches. The cross-sectional area of all tufts of type 36 is about 0.0040 square inch. As shown in FIG. 6, the tufts of type 36 have a rectangular cross-section with rounded ends and occupy a greater width across the head than the bristles of type 34. Between 4 and 6 tufts of type 36 are attached to the head 14.

Piaty a posledný druh chumáčov 26, typ 38, pozostáva zo štetín zhotovených z PBT s brusivom ako sú častice kaolínovej hliny rozmiestnené v PBT. Tieto štetiny majú priemer medzi od okolo 0,005 do 0,009 palca, s výhodou majú priemer 0,006 palca. Dĺžka týchto štetín, meraná od povrchu 30 hlavy 14, je okolo 0,350 palca. Plocha prierezu všetkých chumáčov typu 38 je okolo 0,0084 štvorcového palca. Ako je znázornené na obr. 6, chumáče typu 38 majú obdĺžnikový prierez so zaoblenýmiThe fifth and last type of tufts 26, type 38, consists of bristles made of PBT with abrasive such as kaolin clay particles distributed in the PBT. These bristles have a diameter of between about 0.005 to 0.009 inches, preferably a diameter of 0.006 inches. The length of these bristles, measured from the surface 30 of the head 14, is about 0.350 inches. The cross-sectional area of all tufts of type 38 is about 0.0084 square inch. As shown in FIG. 6, the tufts of type 38 have a rectangular cross-section with rounded ends

212/B koncami a sú širšie ako štetiny typu 36. K hlave 14 je pripojených medzi 4 a 6 chumáčov typu 38.212 / B ends and are wider than type 36 bristles. Between 4 and 6 type 38 tufts are attached to head 14.

S ohľadom na plochu prierezu chumáčov popísaných vyššie, chumáče typu 28 majú prierez, ktorý je viac ako štyrikrát väčší ako ostatné chumáče pripevnené k hlave 14. Hoci boli vyššie uvedené špecifické materiály, z ktorých sú vyrobené chumáče, môžu byť použité i ďalšie materiály. Takto môžu byť všetky štetiny pripevnené k hlave 14 zhotovené napríklad z PBT s alebo bez brusiva ako je hlina,With respect to the cross-sectional area of the tufts described above, the tufts of type 28 have a cross-section that is more than four times larger than the other tufts attached to the head 14. Although the above-mentioned specific materials from which tufts are made, other materials may be used. Thus, all bristles attached to the head 14 can be made, for example, of PBT with or without an abrasive such as clay,

6,12 nylon s alebo bez brusiva alebo nylonový materiál typu Indicators™ s alebo bez brusiva.6.12 nylon with or without abrasive or Indicators ™ nylon with or without abrasive.

Ďalej štetiny v chumáči a medzi chumáčmi môžu mať rôznu dĺžku, priemer, tvar priečneho prierezu, plochu priečneho prierezu, farbu a môžu byť zhotovené z rozdielnych materiálov.Further, the bristles in the tuft and between tufts may have different length, diameter, cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional area, color and may be made of different materials.

Ako je najlepšie zrejmé z obr. 2, 4 a 5, všetky chumáče na hlave 14 sú sklonené buď v smere D alebo k strane smerujúcej opačným smerom oproti smeru D, s výhodou pod uhlom menším ako 81 stupňov, výhodnejšie pod uhlom medzi okolo 69 stupňami a 81 stupňami a najvýhodnejšie pod uhlom okolo 75 stupňov, vzhľadom k imaginárnej priamej osi 40, ktorá je tangenciálna k povrchu 30 hlavy 14. Pokiaľ je povrch 30 rovinný viac ako zaoblený, potom môže byť os 40 rovnobežná s povrchom 30. Dva vonkajšie rady chumáčov 42 sú sklonené v smere D od rukoväte 12. Vnútorný rad chumáčov 44 je sklonený v opačnom smere vzhľadom k smeru D k rukoväti 12 okrem veľkého chumáča typu 28, ktorý je sklonený v smere D od rukoväte 12.As best seen in FIG. 2, 4 and 5, all tufts on the head 14 are inclined either in the D direction or in the opposite direction to the D direction, preferably at an angle of less than 81 degrees, more preferably at an angle of between about 69 degrees and 81 degrees, and most preferably at an angle about 75 degrees, relative to an imaginary straight axis 40 that is tangential to the surface 30 of the head 14. If the surface 30 is more planar than rounded, then the axis 40 may be parallel to the surface 30. The two outer rows of tufts 42 are inclined in D The inner row of tufts 44 is inclined in the opposite direction with respect to the direction D towards the handle 12 except for the large tuft of type 28, which is inclined in the D direction from the handle 12.

Zubná kefka 10 môže byť zhotovená nasledujúcim spôsobom, ktorý je všeobecne známy odborníkom v danej oblasti techniky. Všetky chumáče štetín sú vytvorené zhromaždením požadovaného množstva štetín z vybraného materiálu, dĺžky a priemeru. Štetiny sú potom zasunuté do otvorov v časti formy zariadenia na lisovanie vstrekovaním. A koniec chumáčov, ktorý alebo ktoré vystupujú do dutiny formy, je potom roztavený kvôli spojeniu štetín spolu v zliatu masu alebo guľôčku na konci chumáča. Časť formy s chumáčmi je potom spojená s ďalšou časťou formy, ktorá zároveň tvorí dutinu používanú na vytvorenie hlavnej časti 16 zubnej kefky 10. Zliate masy chumáčikov sú umiestnené práve v dutine.Toothbrush 10 can be made in the following manner, which is generally known to those skilled in the art. All bristle tufts are created by collecting the required amount of bristles of the selected material, length and diameter. The bristles are then inserted into the holes in the mold portion of the injection molding device. And the end of the tufts which or which protrude into the cavity of the mold is then melted to join the bristles together in a molded flesh or ball at the end of the tuft. The tuft mold portion is then connected to another mold portion, which at the same time forms a cavity used to form the main portion 16 of the toothbrush 10. The cast tuft masses are located in the cavity.

212/B212 / B

ΊΊ

Potom je polypropylén vstreknutý do dutiny kvôli vytvoreniu hlavnej časti 16 zubnej kefky 10. Polypropylén je potom ochladený a potom je čiastočne dokončená zubná kefka presunutá k druhej časti lisovania vstrekovaním. Ochladený, stvrdnutý polypropylén drží zliatu masu chumáčov v hlave 14 zubnej kefky 10. V druhej časti lisovania je čiastočne dokončená zubná kefka vložená do druhej formy majúcej dutiny na vytvorenie úchytnej časti 18 pre palec, ochranné známky 24 a úchytné časti 20 pre prsty. Potom je termoplastický elastomér vstreknutý do formy, načo je elastomér ochladený a dokončená zubná kefka 10 je vybratá z formy. Zubná kefka je potom uložená.Then the polypropylene is injected into the cavity to form the main part 16 of the toothbrush 10. The polypropylene is then cooled and then the partially finished toothbrush is moved to the second injection molding part. The cooled, hardened polypropylene holds the mass of tufts in the toothbrush head 14. In the second molding part, the partially finished toothbrush is inserted into a second mold having cavities to form a thumb grip portion 18, trademarks 24 and finger grip portions 20. Then, the thermoplastic elastomer is injected into the mold, after which the elastomer is cooled and the finished toothbrush 10 is removed from the mold. The toothbrush is then stored.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle, a head protruding from the handle, and a plurality of bristle tufts located in the head, one tuft being attached to the head at a location such that another tuft cannot be attached to the head at a distance farther from the handle than where it is attached one lock to the head, one lock is inclined at an angle of 81 degrees or less with respect to an imaginary axis tangential or parallel to the surface of the head in which one lock is attached to the head, one lock is inclined from the head in the direction of the head from the handle.

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein one tuft is deflected between about 69 and about 81 degrees from an imaginary axis.

The toothbrush of claim 2, wherein one tuft is deflected about 75 degrees from the imaginary axis.

Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that several tufts consist of one tuft and at least two other tufts, two further tufts are inclined relative to the imaginary axis, the two other tufts have a different length measured from the surface of the head.

The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the two other tufts differ in length by about 0.090 inches.

Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that several tufts consist of one tuft and at least two other tufts, two further tufts are inclined relative to the imaginary axis, the two other tufts have a different cross-section.

31,212 / B

Toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross-section has a different shape.

Toothbrush according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross-section has a different surface.

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of one tuft is at least four times greater than the cross-sectional area of the other tufts attached to the head.

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the further tuft is not attached to the head at a location spaced from the handle at a distance where the tuft is located to the head.

11. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle, a head protruding from the handle, and a plurality of bristle tufts located in the head, two tufts inclined at an angle to an imaginary axis that is tangential or parallel to the surface of the head in which two tufts are attached to the head; from the group of properties comprising length, cross-section, color, material and combinations thereof.

The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the property is a length and a length difference between the two tufts is about 0.09 inches.

Toothbrush according to claim 11, characterized in that the property is a cross-section and a difference in cross-sectional area.

14. A toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein the property is a cross-section and a cross-sectional shape difference.

31,212 / B

15. The toothbrush of claim 11, further comprising:

a third tuft, the third tuft being attached to the head at a location such that the next tuft cannot be attached to the head at a location which is more distant from the handle than the third tuft is attached to the head.

The toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the third tuft is deflected between about 69 and about 81 degrees from the imaginary axis.

The toothbrush of claim 16, wherein the third tuft is deflected about 75 degrees from the imaginary axis.

A toothbrush according to claim 15, wherein the cross-sectional area of the third tuft is at least four times greater than the cross-sectional area of the other tufts attached to the head.

19. A toothbrush according to claim 15, wherein the further tuft cannot be attached to the head at a location spaced from the handle such as where the third tuft is attached to the head.

A toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein the two tufts are inclined in substantially opposite directions, one of the tufts is inclined towards the handle and the other tufts are inclined away from the handle.

21. A toothbrush comprising:

a handle, a head protruding from the handle, and a plurality of tufts positioned in the head, the plurality of tufts comprising tufts with at least five different cross sections.

31,212 / B

Toothbrush according to claim 21, characterized in that the cross-section has a different surface.

23. A toothbrush according to claim 21, wherein the cross-section has a different shape.

24. The toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the third tuft is inclined at an angle of 81 degrees or less relative to the imaginary axis and is inclined from the head in the direction from which the head protrudes from the handle.

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the one or more bristles have different properties selected from the group consisting of length, diameter, cross-sectional area, cross-sectional shape, color, material and combinations thereof.

A toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein the one or more bristles have different properties selected from the group consisting of length, diameter, cross-sectional area, cross-sectional shape, color, material and combinations thereof.

The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the bristle has a size measured from the surface of the head of between about 0.015 and 0.018 cubic inches.

A toothbrush according to claim 11, wherein the two bristles are inclined in substantially the same direction.

The toothbrush of claim 11, wherein the two tufts are deflected between about 69 and about 81 degrees from an imaginary axis.

The toothbrush of claim 29, wherein the two tufts are deflected about 75 degrees from the imaginary axis.