Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
  • A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
  • A61C15/02—Toothpicks
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B3/00—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
  • A46B3/005—Bristle carriers and bristles moulded as a unit
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46D—MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES
  • A46D3/00—Preparing, i.e. Manufacturing brush bodies
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61C—DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE
  • A61C15/00—Devices for cleaning between the teeth
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
  • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
  • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
  • A46B2200/108—Inter-dental toothbrush, i.e. for cleaning interdental spaces specifically
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A46—BRUSHWARE
  • A46B—BRUSHES
  • A46B3/00—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
  • A46B3/18—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier the bristles being fixed on or between belts or wires

Definitions

• the invention relates to an interdental cleaner with a rod-shaped carrier made of plastic, which has a structuring with radially protruding from the support structure elements at least over a portion of its axial length. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing an interdental cleaner, wherein a plastic rod-shaped carrier is provided on at least a portion of its axial length with a structuring with radially projecting from the support structure elements.
• interdental cleaners are known today, as shown and described in EP 0 932 371 A1.
• Such an interdental cleaner has a rod-shaped carrier made of a first, relatively hard and dimensionally stable plastic, which is provided in the front region of its axial length with a coating consisting of a second, soft plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer.
• the coating can on its radially outer side a
• CONFIRMATION COPY Structuring in the form of nubs or radially outwardly extending fingers to increase the cleaning effect.
• the user may grasp the interdental cleaner at a grip portion of the rod-shaped carrier and insert the rod-shaped carrier with the pattern-bearing coating into a tooth space and reciprocate there, thereby cleaning the interdental space and releasing any adhering particles.
• the interdental cleaner must be sufficiently rigid, especially in small interdental spaces to be able to penetrate well.
• interdental cleaners of varying ductility and flexural stiffness on the market.
• the invention has for its object to provide an interdental cleaner, which has a good cleaning effect and can be prepared in its manufacture in a simple manner in different stiffnesses and with different deformation properties.
• a method is to be created with which a corresponding interdental cleaner can be produced in a simple manner.
• an interdental cleaner with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the carrier is twisted at least in a part of the structuring having portion along with the structuring about its longitudinal axis. Due to the twisting the rod-shaped carrier receives a compression and deformation in its longitudinal direction, whereby the spatial stability of the wearer and thus also change its deformation properties. It is thus possible to influence and adjust the deformation properties of the interdental cleaner according to the invention solely by the degree of twisting, without the need for a material change or a changed geometry of the injection molding tool.
• the twisting of the bar-shaped carrier together with the structuring brings the further advantage that the structuring is distributed over the circumference due to the twisting.
• structural elements which are initially arranged only in a linear, extending in the longitudinal direction of the interdental cleaner series can be subsequently distributed over the circumference of the interdental cleaner, thereby contributing better to the cleaning effect.
• the structuring has radially protruding fingers and / or lips.
• the fingers and / or lips can on an example sleeve-like coating of the Be formed carrier.
• the carrier consists of a first, relatively hard plastic material and is in a part of its axial length with the example sleeve-shaped coating of a relatively soft second
• Plastic material such as a thermoplastic or thermosetting elastomer, silicone or other soft plastic surrounded, wherein the coating is formed on the outside in one piece with the radially outwardly projecting fingers and / or lips.
• the structuring has radially projecting bristles, which are preferably arranged in at least one row.
• the bristles may first be arranged in one or two rectilinear rows arranged on opposite sides of the bar-shaped carrier and extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier and then deformed by the twisting so that the at least one row or rows run around the carrier like a helix.
• the bristles are preferably embedded in the plastic carrier and / or in the coating and thereby held securely.
• Bristles in the context of this application are thin prefabricated sections of a plastic monofilament or multifilament, wherein the bristles have a maximum diameter of 0.25 mm and can be used as single bristles and / or as bristle bundles.
• axial refers to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped carrier and possibly also to the longitudinal axis of a coating.
• radial refers to a direction perpendicular to the axial longitudinal direction.
• the fingers and / or lips and / or the bristles may be either radially, i. at right angles to, or oblique to, the longitudinal axis of the interdental cleaner, i. with radial component, which should be encompassed by the term "radial”.
• the twisting of the carrier leads to a rotation of the structuring around the longitudinal axis of the interdental cleaner.
• the wearer After the torsional force that drives the carrier ceases to be effective, the wearer usually resiliently recoils by a small amount against the torsional direction, maintaining a permanent torsional deformation or twisting.
• the permanent torsional deformation leads to a rotation of the structuring over an angle of 30 30 °, in particular in the range of 60 ° to 360 °, in particular in the range of 60 ° to 120 ° and particularly preferably 90 ° + 20 °.
• It may also be a rotation of 10 to 50 revolutions per meter, preferably a rotation of 10 to 40 revolutions per meter and in particular a rotation of about 15 to 20 revolutions per meter be provided.
• a further adaptation of the deformation properties of the rod-shaped carrier and thus of the interdental cleaner can be achieved by arranging in the carrier at least in sections a stiffening insert which preferably has a higher flexural rigidity than the carrier. ger, so that the interdental cleaner in its entirety is stiffer.
• the stiffening insert is formed by at least one axially extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier wire, in particular a metal wire or a plastic wire.
• two parallel wires are arranged and connected at its front end to form a U-shaped transitional area with each other. Bristles can be arranged and held between the wires.
• the above-mentioned object is achieved according to the invention in that the support is twisted about its longitudinal axis, at least in a part of the structuring having Abschnit TES together with the structuring.
• the carrier in two axially spaced areas by means of holding devices, such as Klemmba bridges, detected and preferably clamped firmly and then the holding devices are relatively zueinande rotated, whereby the carrier is twisted about its longitudinal axis. Subsequently, the holding devices are opened, whereby the carrier is released from the clamp and can spring back to a certain extent, but remains twisted.
• one of the holding devices is stationary, while the other holding device is axially displaced during the twisting in the direction of the tip of the interdental cleaner, wherein the holding and clamping forces are chosen so that preferably no by the displacement of the holding device Extension of the carrier is given, ie no excessive axial tensile forces are introduced into the carrier.
• the carrier is heated before and / or during the twisting. In this way, it is possible to reduce the stiffness of the plastic material of the carrier and a possible coating and thus to change the spring-back properties of the material and to adapt it in the desired manner.
• the twisting of the carrier leads to a permanent Verdre ⁇ Hung structuring around the longitudinal axis of the interdental cleaner.
• the permanent rotation of the structuring over an angle of ⁇ 30 °, in particular in the range of 60 ° to 360 ° and in particular in the range of 60 ° to 120 °.
• Particularly preferred is a permanent rotation of the structuring by 90 ° ⁇ 20 °.
• the support is provided prior to twisting in the structuring with a sleeve-shaped coating which either at least partially embeds the structural elements of the structuring and / or carries on its outer side.
• the structuring radially projecting fingers and / or lips, which are integrally formed on the coating.
• the structuring has radially projecting bristles which are embedded in the carrier and / or in the coating.
• the arrangement of the bristles on or in the interdental cleaner can take place in a possible embodiment of the invention in that the bristles are positioned side by side in a plane together with the carrier in an injection mold.
• the carrier can either be prefabricated or be formed in an immediately preceding process step in the injection mold.
• the bristles and the backing are preferably overmolded with a soft plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, to form the coating, so that the bristles in the Cover are securely held and protrude radially out of this.
• the projecting ends of the bristles may be cut to a desired length, after which the support with the coating and the bristles and optionally the fingers and / or lips integrally formed on the outside of the cover are twisted about the longitudinal axis of the support.
• the support holding the bristles is then partially encapsulated with the plastic forming the coating, the bristles protruding radially out of the coating.
• the bristles are cut to a desired size, whereupon the tor- ding is carried out in the aforementioned manner.
• the bristles can be cut in the still closed tool or when opening the tool or with the tool open or outside the tool in a separate cutting station.
• a stiffening insert may be previously incorporated into the carrier, which may be, for example, a wire running axially in the longitudinal direction of the carrier, in particular metal wire or plastic wire. If the wire is also arranged in the region of structuring within the carrier, it is twisted together with the carrier in this area.
• the wire can be single-layered or double-layered. If the wire is placed in a double position, it may be possible borrowed between the layers to arrange the bristles and in particular pinch and thereby vorzuposieren before safe, before the wire and the bristles are encapsulated with the plastic material of the wearer.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interdental cleaner according to the invention
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an open
• FIG. 3 shows the injection molding tool according to FIG. 2 after inserting the carrier and the bristles
• FIG. 4 shows the injection molding tool according to FIG. 3 after
• FIG. 6 shows the interdental cleaner according to FIG. 5 after trimming the bristles
• FIG. 7 shows the interdental cleaner according to FIG. 6 immediately before the closing of the holding devices
• FIG. 8 the interdental cleaner according to FIG. 7 after
• FIG. 20 shows a third phase of the further developed method
• Fig. 22 shows a fifth phase of the further developed method
• Fig. 23 is a sixth phase of the further developed method.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an interdental cleaner 10 according to the invention, which has a rod-shaped carrier 11.
• the carrier 11 has an axial longitudinal axis L and preferably consists of a hard or dimensionally stable first plastic material.
• the carrier 11 has in its right in accordance with Figure 1 end portion structuring 12 and at the opposite, as shown in FIG 1 right end a handle portion 18 to which a Be user can detect the interdental cleaner 10.
• the structuring 12 is formed by a sleeve-like coating 15 of a soft second plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the coating 15 on its outer side radially outwardly projecting, integrally molded fingers 14 carries. Furthermore, 15 bristles 13 are embedded in the coating, which protrude radially outward and in two rows 17 in Extend longitudinally of the carrier 11 and extend helically around the carrier 11 around. The two rows of bristles 17 are each arranged diametrically opposite the coating 15, wherein they are wound in the illustrated embodiment in the longitudinal direction of the coating 15 by half a turn, ie about 180 °.
• Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an opened injection mold W having an upper mold half Fi, which has an upper cavity Ki, and a lower mold half F 2 , which has a lower cavity K 2 .
• a section of the prefabricated rod-shaped carrier 11 is inserted into the cavity K 2 of the lower mold half F 2 together with an arrangement of bristles 13, the bristles 13 being essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the carrier 11 and extending over two opposite sides the cavity K 2 protrude.
• the injection molding tool Wi is closed by lowering the upper mold half Fi to the lower mold half F 2 , as indicated by the arrows Si in FIG. After closing the injection molding tool i, as shown in FIG.
• a liquid plastic in particular a thermoplastic elastomer
• a liquid plastic is injected into the mold cavity formed by the cavities Ki and K 2 , so that the section of the support 11 located in the injection molding tool Wi engages the sleeve-shaped coating 15 is slightly tapered to the front end of the interdental cleaner and on its outer side the radial outwardly projecting finger 14 carries.
• the coating 15 forming plastic that the bristles 13 are embedded in the coating 15 and fixed in this.
• the radially protruding bristles 13 are cut to a desired length, as shown in FIG. In this way, the interdental cleaner 10 shown in FIG. 6 is formed.
• This has the seated on the front end of the rod-shaped support 11, conical coating 15 with radially projecting, molded fingers 14 and the opposite sides radially projecting bristles 13, wherein the bristles 13 in two linear, respectively in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped support 11 extending Rows 17 are aligned.
• the bristles can also be cut in the still closed tool or when opening the tool or with the tool open or outside the tool in a separate cutting station.
• the interdental cleaner is clamped in axially spaced sections in a first holding device 20 and a second holding device 21.
• the first holding device 20 has a lower clamping jaw 20. 1 and an upper clamping jaw 20. 2 which can clamp the interdental cleaner at the rear end of the coating 15 facing the gripping part 18.
• the second holding device 21 has a lower clamping jaw 21. 1 and an upper clamping jaw 21. 2 and can detach the interdental cleaner at the front, the grip part 18. clamped end of the coating 15 clamp. As Figure 7 shows, the interdental cleaner is in the lower jaws
• the front second holding device 21 is rotated about the longitudinal axis L of the interdental cleaner 10 or rod-shaped carrier 11, as indicated by the arrow T in FIG.
• the interdental cleaner 10 After opening and removing the two holding devices 20 and 21, the interdental cleaner 10 has the shape shown in Figure 1, wherein the carrier 11 and the coating 15 with the structuring 12 are twisted so that the fingers 14 and in particular the rows 17 of the bristles 13th spiral around the support 11 around.
• FIG. 1 the carrier 11 and the coating 15 with the structuring 12 are twisted so that the fingers 14 and in particular the rows 17 of the bristles 13th spiral around the support 11 around.
• the interdental cleaner 10 shows a perspective view of the front section of the interdental cleaner 10 according to the invention, wherein the structuring 12 has, besides the bristles 13, several lips 19 extending in the longitudinal direction of the interdental cleaner 10, which rotate around the interdental cleaner in a helical manner due to the twisting of the carrier 11 and the cover 15 ,
• the lips 19 are integrally formed on the coating 15 and are distributed over the circumference of the interdental cleaner 10. While in the embodiment according to FIG. 10 four lips 19 are arranged, each of which extends approximately over the entire length of the coating 15, a multiplicity of substantially shorter lips 19 are provided in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG.
• the lips 19 are arranged in several longitudinal rows and circulate the interdental cleaner 10 due to the twisting helical.
• FIGS. 12 to 16 show an alternative production method for the interdental cleaner 10 according to the invention.
• Figure 12 shows a schematic representation of an open injection mold W 2 with an upper mold half Fi, which has an upper cavity Ki, and a lower mold half F 2 , which has a lower cavity K 2 .
• an array of parallel aligned bristles 13 is inserted, wherein the bristles 13 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cavities Ki and K 2 , which correspond to the shape of the trainees rod-shaped carrier extend.
• the injection mold W 2 is closed, as indicated by the arrows S 3 in Figure 12.
• a liquid plastic is injected into the mold cavity formed by the cavities Ki and K 2 , which forms the carrier 11, wherein the bristles
• the mold halves F 3 and F 4 each have a cavity K 3 and K 4 to form the coating 15.
• the one with the bristles 13 provided carrier 11 is inserted between the mold halves F 3 and F 4 , whereupon the injection mold is closed, as indicated by the arrows S 4 in Figure 14.
• a plastic is injected into the cavities, so that the portion of the carrier 11 located in the injection mold is provided with the sleeve-shaped coating 15.
• On the outside of the coating 15 are the aforementioned radially outwardly projecting fingers
• FIG. 17 shows an alternative, simplified embodiment of an interdental cleaner 10 according to the invention, of which only the front end is shown, since the interdental cleaner otherwise corresponds to the interdental cleaner already shown in FIG.
• the interdental cleaner 10 has a rod-shaped carrier 11 made of a dimensionally stable first plastic material, in which a structuring 12 is embedded.
• the structuring 12 is formed by bristles 13 which are embedded in the carrier 11 and penetrate it in the radial direction, so that the bristles 13 project radially from the carrier 11 and extend in two rows 17 in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 11 and helically around the carrier 11 run around.
• the two rows of bristles 17 are each arranged diametrically opposite to the support 11, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown. game in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 11 are wound by about 180 °.
• the interdental cleaner 11 shown in FIG. 17 can be produced, for example, by placing a bristle arrangement in an injection molding tool in the manner already described and overmolding it with the plastic material of the carrier 11. Subsequently, the carrier is torpedo along its structuring 12 about its longitudinal axis, as explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.
• the interdental cleaner 10 Prior to twisting, the interdental cleaner 10 has a linearly oriented configuration as shown in FIG.
• the axially extending support 11 is penetrated by radially extending bristles 13 which protrude on both sides of the support 11 and in this way form two axially extending, straight rows of bristles 17.
• a first holding device 20 has in the manner mentioned a lower jaw 20.1 and an upper jaw 20.2, the interdental cleaner 10 at the rear, the not shown gripping part facing end of the structuring can clamp at a distance from this.
• a second holding device 21 has a lower clamping jaws 21.1 and an upper clamping jaws 21.2.
• the jaws are dimensioned so that they can clamp the carrier 11 over approximately the entire length of the structuring between them.
• the prefabricated, not yet twisted interdental cleaner 10 is placed between the lower jaws 20.1, 21.1 and the upper jaws 20.2 and 21.2, whereupon the jaws are moved and closed (see arrows S 4 ), that the interdental cleaner 10 between the first holding device 20 and the second holding device 21 is clamped, as shown in Figure 19.
• the first holding device 20 holds the carrier apart from the structuring 12 clamped, while the second holding device 21 in the illustrated embodiment, the carrier 11 in the entire region of the structuring 12 clamps.
• the second holding device 21 is rotated about the longitudinal axis L of the interdental cleaner 10 or rod-shaped carrier 11, as indicated by the arrow T in FIG.
• the second holding device is displaced in the axial direction of the carrier 11 (see arrow Z), so that the distance between the two holding devices 20, 21 is increased.
• the holding or clamping force of the second holding device 21 and the force exerted by the second holding device 21 on the carrier 11 as a result of its axial displacement tensile force are dimensioned so that it does not come to an irreversible plastic stretching of the carrier 11.
• Figure 20 shows a state in which the second holding device 21 is rotated relative to the first holding device 20 by approximately 45 ° and is axially displaced relative to this by a first distance.
• Figure 21 shows a state in which a further axial displacement of the second holding device 21 relative to the stationary first holding device 20 has taken place, so that the distance between the holding devices has increased, and in which the second holding device 21 by about 90 ° relative is twisted to the first holding device.
• the interdental cleaner usually springs back after opening the holding devices due to internal stresses by a small amount against the Tor- dierides, which is not shown in the present embodiment.
• This reset effect can be taken into account by twisting the interdental cleaner beyond the desired level, for example 180 °, so that exactly the desired degree of twisting is achieved after the springback of the interdental cleaner.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Dentistry (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Brushes (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

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Publications (1)

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ID=51211719

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (18)

Citations (3)

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• 2013
  • 2013-06-28 DE DE102013010782.2A patent/DE102013010782A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2014
  • 2014-06-23 US US14/901,162 patent/US9968426B2/en active Active
  • 2014-06-23 EP EP16001880.0A patent/EP3120728B1/de active Active
  • 2014-06-23 JP JP2016522313A patent/JP6343342B2/ja active Active
  • 2014-06-23 EP EP14741517.8A patent/EP3013184B1/de active Active
  • 2014-06-23 ES ES16001880T patent/ES2793287T3/es active Active
  • 2014-06-23 WO PCT/EP2014/001698 patent/WO2014206547A1/de not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (3)

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