WO2022207702A1

WO2022207702A1 - Manual toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2022207702A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/058408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Curt Bättig; Peter Stieger
Original assignee: Baettig Curt; Peter Stieger
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-30
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: DE102021108254A1; DE102021108254B4; EP4312661A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a manual toothbrush comprising a toothbrush head, a toothbrush neck and a toothbrush handle, wherein the toothbrush head comprises tooth-cleaning elements, in particular bristles, which project in a first direction from the toothbrush head; wherein the toothbrush handle comprises a first handle element and a second handle element, which are spaced apart from one another; wherein the first handle element extends above or below the second handle element, based on a second direction in parallel with the first direction; and wherein both handle elements lead, on either side, at the end, into a common connection region; wherein, in particular by applying force onto at least one of the handle elements of the toothbrush handle, deformation of this handle element towards the other handle element results, producing a restoring force between the handle elements and deflecting the toothbrush head; wherein a first of the connection regions (7) forms the toothbrush neck (3); and wherein, adjacent to the first connection region (7), the first handle element has a first bend (14) towards the second handle element (6) for increasing the restoring force, and subsequently a second bend (13), which points away from the second handle element (6).

Description

manual toothbrush

The present invention relates to a manual toothbrush according to the preamble of claim 1.

Toothbrushes with spring elements are known per se. A typical example of this is the toothbrush by Dr. Best, in which spring elements are incorporated at various points on the toothbrush neck.

However, these variants are expensive to manufacture and mostly material combina tions, from several plastics, which represents a disposal problem in waste separation. In addition, the teeth are used as a counter bearing for the application of force. There is also no active movement of the brush towards the tooth or away from the tooth due to an activation force in these variants.

DE 299 13656 U1 also discloses a variant of a toothbrush which has two convergent struts in the area of the toothbrush neck, which, however, are not arranged one above the other in a direction parallel to the bristles, but are tilted by 90°, i.e. side by side. This saves material while at the same time stiffening the toothbrush neck. However, a spring effect is excluded.

EP 1 850692 B1 discloses a toothbrush neck with a free space between two struts. Although these are arranged one above the other in a direction parallel to the burrs, they have stiffening ribs within the free space between the struts. The stiffening ribs prevent the struts from deforming towards one another.

In order to deform the struts, in the context of the present invention it is assumed that a force is applied which a normally developed person, ie a man, a woman or a child, can typically apply with one hand without excessive exertion. Such a force is preferably at most 10 N or less.

DE 202006001 055 U discloses a mechanism on two opposing curved elements, with a restoring force being built up by actuating one curved element. The curved element is freely movable on one side and is supported against a stop surface. The problem here is, on the one hand, the complicated structure in terms of manufacture, but also the high, selective force supply in order to deflect the toothbrush head. WO 2003/039816 A1 then discloses a toothbrush which has a large number of round holes in the handle.

The generic prior art is then US Pat. No. 7,039,984 B1, in which a free space is formed between two handle elements. This free space has a banana shape. One grip element is designed to be more flexible than the second grip element, so that the toothbrush tilts inwards when the grip element is pressed, so that the bristle head folds down relative to the object to be cleaned by pressure on the grip.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a new variant of a flat toothbrush which is easy to operate and requires little effort.

The flat toothbrush according to the invention comprises a toothbrush head, a toothbrush neck and a toothbrush handle, the toothbrush head having tooth cleaning elements, in particular bristles, which protrude from the brush head in a first direction. The tooth-cleaning elements can be permanently connected to the toothbrush head, e.g. injected, or they can be arranged interchangeably on a carrier plate in a recess.

The toothbrush handle has a first handle element and a second handle element, which extend adjacent to one another and spaced apart from one another in the direction of flap extension. A free space is thus arranged between the handle elements. The handle elements can be designed like leaf springs.

The first handle element is arranged above or below the second handle element, with “above” or “below” referring to a second direction parallel to the first direction, ie a direction parallel to the bristles. Alternately or in addition to the bristles, however, rubber knobs, friction elements and the like can also be provided as tooth cleaning elements. However, because of their excellent cleaning properties, bristles are preferred over other tooth-cleaning elements.

Both gripping elements end at both ends in connection areas, in which they are preferably brought together to form a cohesive unit. Particularly preferably, the action of force on at least one of the handle elements of the toothbrush handle can result in a deformation of this handle element on the other handle element, which can result in the formation of a restoring force between the handle elements and which can result in a deflection of the toothbrush head.

The second handle element can preferably be longer than the first handle element in the main direction of extent of the toothbrush, so that deformation of this handle element under the action of force preferably results in material pressure or material tension on the second handle element, which then moves with an evasive movement, building up a restoring force reacts. A spring effect can thereby be achieved. Due to the evasive movement, the toothbrush head can be deflected in the direction of the bristles or in the opposite direction and thus pressed more firmly against the tooth for more effective cleaning.

A first of the connecting areas forms the toothbrush neck.

According to the invention, the first gripping element for restoring force reinforcement has a first bend in the direction of the second gripping element adjacent to the first connection region and then a second bend, which is directed away from the second gripping element.

As an alternative or in addition to the above-described function, within the scope of the present invention, however, suspension can also be provided by bending or deflecting the grip elements in the same direction with a greater force applied, resulting in an evasive movement with excessive pressure on the tooth and gums. Suspension by means of gripping elements is not known from the prior art.

Advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The handle elements can be designed as curved leaf springs in order to build up a corresponding restoring force. The leaf springs are here vorzugswei se made of plastic.

The handle elements each have at least one bend, with the bends being directed away from one another, so that a correspondingly improved deflection effect is achieved. The gripping elements can be conveniently connected to one another in one piece, in particular monolithically, in terms of manufacturing technology. Particularly preferably, at least the toothbrush handle and the toothbrush neck, preferably also the toothbrush head, apart from the bristles, is designed in one piece and in particular monolithically.

Apart from the tooth cleaning elements, the manual toothbrush is advantageously designed as a plastic injection molded part.

The handle elements are preferably designed in such a way that they can be moved toward one another by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, under a force of 10 N. The grip elements can have a thickness of less than 3 mm, preferably between 1-2 mm, with a width for resting the hand or a thumb of at least 12 mm, preferably between 15-25 mm.

The toothbrush neck has a thickness in the first direction of more than 3.5 mm, preferably between 4-5 mm.

In the unloaded state, the distance between the gripping elements can be more than 5 mm, preferably more than 10 mm, particularly preferably 10-15 mm.

At least the toothbrush handle can consist of one or more biodegradable plastics and/or renewable plastics. Biodegradable plastics have particular advantages when it comes to recycling, while plastics made from renewable raw materials give manual toothbrushes a better ecological footprint. Of course, both plastic categories can also be combined with one another, so that there are plastics that fall under both classes.

Plastics from the class of polycalocatones, polyvinyl alcohols and/or polyesters are suitable for use.

Examples of biodegradable plastics made from renewable raw materials are e.g. starch blends, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactides, regenerated cellulose.

Examples of plastics made from renewable raw materials, which are difficult to degrade, are bio-PE, bio-PA, bio-PUR, bio-PP, bio-PVC, as well as cellulose acetate or rubber. The distance between the terminal connecting areas can advantageously be at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, of the overall length of the manual toothbrush. In the area defined by the distance, the handle elements are spaced apart from one another and define a free space. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the free space extends without interruptions, for example due to stiffening ribs or the like, from the first connection area to the second connection area.

To expand the functionality of the manual toothbrush, it has a receptacle for an interdental brush in the second terminal connection area. This can be a hole in the connection area into which the base of an interdental brush can be inserted.

When viewed from above from the second direction, i.e. parallel to the direction of bristles, the manual toothbrush can have a widening of the toothbrush handle compared to the toothbrush neck by at least 300%, preferably at least 350%, so that a wide contact surface is provided, e.g. for a thumb.

The tooth-cleaning elements, in particular the bristles, can be arranged on a plate-shaped carrier which is arranged interchangeably in a receptacle of the toothbrush head. This is known per se from the prior tech technology. The bristles and/or the plate-shaped carrier can be made of a natural material, preferably of vegetable and/or animal origin. Examples of the bristles are, for example, animal hair bristles, e.g., pig bristles. Examples of a carrier material are, for example, wood or wood composite material, for example with PLA (polylactic acid or the like). This means that the manual toothbrush can be used longer than the replaceable tooth cleaning elements. There is no mixing of materials, so that the individual elements can be recycled separately and are particularly environmentally friendly.

The invention is explained in more detail below using two design variants. Show it:

1 perspective view of an embodiment of a manual toothbrush according to the invention;

FIG. 2 plan view of the manual toothbrush of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 side view of the manual toothbrush of FIGS. 1 and 2. Fig. 1-3 shows a first embodiment of a manual toothbrush 1 according to the invention, hereinafter also called spring toothbrush. This has a toothbrush head 2, a tapered toothbrush neck 3 and a toothbrush handle 4 on. The toothbrush head 2 has tooth-cleaning elements 11, specifically bristles, which protrude from a carrier segment of the toothbrush head 2 in a bristling direction R1.

A special feature of the manual toothbrush 1 is the toothbrush handle 4. This is divided in the middle and has two individual handle elements 5 and 6 which are spaced apart from one another. The grip elements 5 and 6 are designed to be of different lengths in their longitudinal extension, each merging into a connection region 7 and 8 at the ends, in which they are connected to one another in a materially bonded manner.

The first connection area 7 forms the toothbrush neck 3 and the second connection area is the end section of the manual toothbrush and has a receptacle 9 for an interdental brush. A free space 10 is arranged between the handle elements 5 and 6, the handle elements 5 and 6 being arranged in a second direction R2 parallel to the first direction R1, one above the other and preferably congruently with one another.

The maximum width 20 of the toothbrush handle 4 is preferably more than 15 mm, so that there is a sufficiently large thumb rest for optimum power transmission.

The handle element 6 has a first bend 12 away from the handle element 5 . The grip element 5 initially has, starting from the toothbrush neck 7, a first bend 14 towards the grip element 6 and then a second bend 13 from the grip element 6 away.

The distance 15 between the handle elements 5 and 6 is in the illustrated embodiment example between 10-15 mm.

This distance 15 is reduced under the action of force F with deformation of the handle elements 5 and 6, with the different lengths of the handle elements resulting in a force diversion by tensile and compressive forces, which leads to a deflection in direction A of the brush head 2. The longitudinal extent 16 of the free space 10 is at least 40%, preferably 50%, and particularly preferably between 55-80%, of the total length 17 of the manual toothbrush 1. This can be between 17-22 cm.

The construction is material-saving, since the handle elements designed as leaf springs can be made very thin, e.g. 1-2 mm thick. The thickness is identified by reference numeral 19 in FIG. The thickness 18 of the connecting region 7, on the other hand, is preferably more than 3 mm.

Apart from the bristles 11, the manual toothbrush is built up monolithically and is therefore made in one piece from one material. The pressure on the tooth surface or gums is reduced by the handle elements and their springs, but can still be adjusted manually. The deflection A of the brush head 2 with complete pressure on the handle elements 5 and 6, and their defor tion by about 15 mm, can be about 12 mm. Thanks to the wide handle 4, the spring brush sits well and comfortably in the hand.

At the same time, the hand brush 1 allows a pleasant feel and conveys a visually appealing overall impression.

The spring toothbrush can be used in all ways, i.e. with an exchangeable brush head, brush head on both sides, but also as a holder for brushes between the teeth. Furthermore, the free space 10 between the handle elements 5 and 6 allows space for hanging up the hand brush.

The manual toothbrush 1 with a spring function can be light, in particular 5-15 g, and is particularly resistant to dentifrices, mouthwashes and/or saliva.

Standard polymers such as polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers, or TPE for short, are therefore preferred as materials. There are various sub-types of TPE. In this case, the TPE-E, the thermoplastic polyester elastomers are the preferred choice. Preferably, the entire manual tooth brush, apart from the bristles, is made of a single material and is therefore easy to manufacture.

The material should also have FDA approval and possibly even drinking water approval. Polypropylene and TPE-E also fulfill this. In the United States, TPE-E elastomers are FDA cleared for use in dry food contact and for packaging meat and poultry (VSDA) and drinking water facilities (NSF). In Germany, for example, "Hytrel" is used in the production and distribution of beer.

Furthermore, an ecological variant can also be used as the material for the manual toothbrush 1 . So-called biodegradable polymers. Another particularly preferred variant in the ecological field is polylactide (PLA), also called polylactic acid. This is one of the polyesters and is made up of many chemically bonded lactic acid molecules.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the two handle elements 5 and 6 have the same average thickness.

The free space between the gripping elements 5 and 6 tapers towards the connection areas 7 and 8, as can also be seen in FIG.

The free space between the handle elements also has at least one longitudinal extension that extends over more than half the total length of the toothbrush.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the toothbrush neck 3 is twice as thick as the handle elements 5 and 6 from the point at which the handle elements 5 and 6 meet up to the toothbrush head 2. It has a contour curve that gradually increases towards the toothbrush head 2.

According to the side view in FIG. 3, the free space then has a significantly longer, greater extent in the longitudinal direction of the manual toothbrush than in the direction perpendicular to this longitudinal direction in the side view.

In a comparison of the variant in FIG. 3 with the generic prior art, the opposite effect is achieved for the toothbrush according to the invention. Whereas in US Pat. No. 7,039,984 B1, pressure on a grip element causes the brush head to tilt inwards, in the variant according to the invention, pressure on the rear grip element 5 causes the brush head to move away from the object to be cleaned. Reference sign

1 manual toothbrush

2 toothbrush head

3 Toothbrush neck 4 Toothbrush handle

5 handle element

6 handle element

7 connection area

8 Connection area 9 Receptacle

10 free space

11 tooth cleaning elements

12 bend

13 bend 14 bend

15 distance

16 longitudinal extent

17 total length

18 thickness (toothbrush neck 19 thickness (handle element)

20 width

R1 first direction or direction of bristles R2 second direction parallel to direction of bristles F action of force A deflection

Claims

patent claims

1. Manual toothbrush (1, 1') comprising a toothbrush head (2), a toothbrush neck (3) and a toothbrush handle (4), the toothbrush head (2) having tooth-cleaning elements (11), in particular bristles, which move in a first direction (R1) protrude from the toothbrush head (2), the toothbrush handle (4) having a first handle element (5) and a second handle element (6) which are spaced apart, the first handle element (5) being above or below the second Grip elements (6), based on a second direction (R2) parallel to the first direction (R1), and both grip elements (5, 6) on both ends in common connec tion areas (7, 8) open, with in particular under The action of force (F) on at least one of the handle elements (6) of the toothbrush handle (4) results in a deformation of this handle element (6) towards the other handle element (5), with the formation of a restoring force between the handle elements (5, 6) and under Ausle nction (A) of the toothbrush head (2), characterized in that a first of the connecting areas (7) forms the toothbrush neck (3) and in that the first handle element (5) adjacent to the first connecting area (7) has a first bend (14) in the direction of the second handle element (6) for restoring force reinforcement and then a second bend (13) which is directed away from the second handle element (6).

2. Manual toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping elements (5, 6) are designed as curved leaf springs.

3. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second handle element (6) in the main extension direction of the toothbrush is longer than the first handle element (5).

4. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle elements (5, 6) each have at least one bend (12, 13), the bends (12, 13) being directed away from one another.

5. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip elements (5, 6) are integral, in particular monolithic, connected to one another.

6. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the toothbrush handle (4) and the toothbrush neck (3), preferably also the toothbrush head (2), is designed in one piece.

7. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual toothbrush (1, 1′), apart from the tooth cleaning elements (11), is designed as a single plastic injection molded part.

8. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip elements (5, 6) under a force of 10 N by at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm toward each other are movable bar.

9. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the toothbrush handle (4) consists of one or more biodegradable plastics and/or renewable plastics.

10. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum distance between the grip elements (5, 6) in or opposite to the second direction (R2) is at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm.

11. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (16) between the terminal connecting areas (7, 8) is at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, of the overall length (17) of the manual toothbrush (1, 1').

12. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a receptacle (9) for an interdental brush is arranged in the second terminal connection area (8).

13. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual toothbrush (1, 1 ') in the top view from the second direction (R2) has a widening of the toothbrush handle (4) compared to the toothbrush neck (3) by at least 300%, preferably at least 350%.

14. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tooth-cleaning elements (11), in particular the bristles, are arranged on a plate-shaped carrier which is arranged interchangeably in a receptacle of the toothbrush head (2), the bristles and/or the Plate-shaped carriers are formed from a natural material, preferably of plant and/or animal origin.

15. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the handle elements (5, 6) a free space (10) is arranged, which is uninterrupted from the first connection area

(7) extends to the second connection area (8).

16. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two handle elements (5, 6) have the same average thickness and width.

17. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toothbrush neck (3) is twice as thick as the handle elements (5, 6) from the point at which the handle elements (5, 6) join up to the toothbrush head (2).

18. Manual toothbrush according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toothbrush neck (3) has a contour curve gradually increasing towards the toothbrush head (2).