WO2023084051A1 - Removable toothbrush head and toothbrush having such a head - Google Patents

Removable toothbrush head and toothbrush having such a head Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023084051A1
WO2023084051A1 PCT/EP2022/081670 EP2022081670W WO2023084051A1 WO 2023084051 A1 WO2023084051 A1 WO 2023084051A1 EP 2022081670 W EP2022081670 W EP 2022081670W WO 2023084051 A1 WO2023084051 A1 WO 2023084051A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
head
base
toothbrush
hole
handle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/081670
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Julien Luc Bernard
Muriel Christine Ganiere Bernard
Original Assignee
Julien Luc Bernard
Muriel Christine Ganiere Bernard
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Julien Luc Bernard, Muriel Christine Ganiere Bernard filed Critical Julien Luc Bernard
Priority to CN202280074792.XA priority Critical patent/CN118401146A/en
Priority to EP22818226.7A priority patent/EP4432880A1/en
Publication of WO2023084051A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023084051A1/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • A46B3/22—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier rubber bristles being fixed in or on brush bodies
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B7/00—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
    • A46B7/04—Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body interchangeably removable bristle carriers
    • A46B7/042—Clip or snap connection for bristle carriers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/005—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a toothbrush head, comprising a base, rigid and elongated, comprising two main faces connected to each other by a peripheral wall having two notches intended to cooperate with a toothbrush handle. teeth, to assemble the head to the latter in a removable manner, the base also comprising a hole, at one of its ends, opening into the peripheral wall and intended to receive a stabilization tab carried by the toothbrush handle, and a cleaning member secured to the base and comprising a plurality of flexible cleaning elements.
  • patent US5224234 describes several embodiments of a head meeting the above characteristics.
  • the embodiments illustrated in Figures 11 to 15, in particular, provide a toothbrush comprising a handle comprising a handle extended by two arms, each of which comprises a tooth oriented inwards and intended to cooperate with a notch provided in the head.
  • the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15 further provides that the head comprises lateral grooves in which the arms of the handle are housed in the assembled configuration.
  • the head has a rather conventional structure, that is to say it carries a plurality of bristles whose base is retained in the head in a standard manner.
  • Publication FR2595221 describes another system for assembling a handle to a conventional toothbrush head.
  • the handle comprises a longitudinal tab arranged to be inserted into a suitable hole in the head, as well as a pair of articulated lateral claws controlled by a pusher to allow the unlocking of the head. If this approach makes it possible to guarantee a more effective hold of the claws on the head, it requires a more complex construction and makes it more complicated to clean the end of the handle, at the level of the mechanism for controlling the claws.
  • a main object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush head of alternative construction to that of the toothbrush heads already known from the prior art, capable of having a robust and stable mechanical connection with a handle adapted, while being achieved by setting implementation of a simple manufacturing process and making it possible to obtain a quality of brushing at least equal to that of the toothbrushes already known.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to a toothbrush head of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the base comprises a first channel having an inlet in one of the main faces and communicating with the hole, by the fact that the cleaning member is elastically deformable and is produced in a single block by overmolding at least part of the base including the inlet of the first channel, and by the fact that the member cleaner comprises a first anchoring portion arranged in the first channel and defining a stabilization abutment positioned in the extension of the hole, or at least partially inside the hole, so as to be able to be compressed by the stabilization tongue when the head is assembled to the handle.
  • the toothbrush head according to the invention can be manufactured by implementing a relatively easy manufacturing process. Indeed, a simple overmolding operation makes it possible to produce the cleaning member, the anchoring of which on the rigid base is reinforced thanks to its anchoring portion arranged in the first channel, while allowing the simultaneous production of an abutment of stabilization intended to cooperate with a handle.
  • the cooperation of the stabilizing tab of the handle with the stabilizing abutment of the head makes it possible to guarantee a better hold of the head on the handle, when using the assembled toothbrush, than in the case of brushes with teeth of the prior art, in particular by eliminating the risks of relative rotation between the head and the handle along an axis passing through the two notches, as well as the clearance between the handle and the head in the longitudinal direction.
  • the first channel has an outlet opening into the other of the main faces, and that the first anchoring portion connects the main faces to each other, in order to ensure an even more robust mechanical connection between the cleaning member and the rigid base.
  • the first channel comprises a main portion, extending in a direction essentially parallel to the envelope of the peripheral wall, and a branch, extending from the portion main to the hole to define the stabilization stop.
  • the base may comprise a plurality of additional anchoring channels, connecting the main faces to one another, and each of which is filled with an additional anchoring portion of the cleansing organ. It is thus possible to ensure good homogeneity of the hold of the cleaning member over the entire extent of the base.
  • each of the main faces may be at least partially overmolded by the cleaning member.
  • the peripheral wall prefferably has an average height slightly greater than the average distance separating the main faces from each other, such that the main faces are located slightly set back. relative to the peripheral wall along the direction of the thickness of the head.
  • n is between 1 and 10.
  • a groove can also be made for a groove to be made in the peripheral wall of the base, the groove extending on either side of the end of the base comprising the hole, following at least half the length of the base, and that the notches are arranged at the back of the groove.
  • the cleaning member can comprise an elongated empty pocket, preferably crossing along the width of the cleaning member and preferably extending along at least one third of the length of the base, so as to to fulfill a suspending role.
  • the cleaning member may comprise at least first and second empty pockets arranged symmetrically with reference to a median plane of the head substantially perpendicular to the main faces or in the extension of one another. along the longitudinal direction of the base, being separated from each other by a flexible membrane made in one piece with the cleaning member.
  • the cleaning member can adapt perfectly to the curvature of the dentition during toothbrushing operations.
  • the present invention also relates to a toothbrush handle intended to cooperate with a toothbrush head according to the characteristics stated above, comprising a handle extended at one end by a connecting portion, itself extended by a two-arm fork, each arm of which is provided with a tooth intended to cooperate with a notch of the head, and comprising a stabilization tongue arranged in the extension of the connecting portion, between the arms of the fork, and intended to be inserted into the hole in the head.
  • the present invention also relates to a toothbrush comprising a head and a handle according to the characteristics above.
  • FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a simplified front view in partial section, along a first section plane, of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3a and 3b show simplified sectional views, according to respective second and third sectional planes, of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 4 shows a simplified front view of the toothbrush of Figure 1 in use
  • FIG. 5a and 5b show simplified views, respectively from the front and in perspective, of variant embodiments of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 6 shows a simplified perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment of the toothbrush of Figure 1
  • FIG. 7 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the toothbrush of Figure 6, according to a section plane similar to that of Figure 3a.
  • Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a toothbrush 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the toothbrush 1 is of the type comprising a handle 2 carrying a head 4, elongated and assembled to the handle 2 in a removable manner.
  • the handle 2 comprises a handle 6 extended at one end by a connecting portion 8, itself extended by a fork 10 with two arms providing the connection with the head 4, as will be described in more detail below.
  • the head 4 comprises a rigid base 12, partially overmolded by a cleaning member 14 comprising in particular a plurality of flexible cleaning elements 16.
  • Figure 2 shows a simplified front view, in partial section along a first section plane, of the toothbrush 1 while Figures 3a and 3b show simplified sectional views of the toothbrush 1, according to respective second and third cutting planes. More precisely, only the head 4 is represented in section in the view of FIG. 2, according to a section plane substantially merging with a median horizontal plane (referenced by P1 in FIG. 3a, "horizontal” referring to the orientation of the toothbrush when it is placed on a support with its cleaning elements oriented vertically) of its rigid base 12.
  • FIG. 1 referenced by P1 in FIG. 3a, "horizontal” referring to the orientation of the toothbrush when it is placed on a support with its cleaning elements oriented vertically
  • FIG. 3a represents a view according to a section plane substantially coinciding with a vertical and longitudinal median plane of the toothbrush 1 (referenced by P2 in Figure 2), while Figure 3b shows a view according to a vertical and transverse sectional plane of the toothbrush 1 (referenced by P3 in Figure 2).
  • each arm of the fork 10 comprises a tooth 20 intended to cooperate with the head 4 to ensure the assembly of the latter on the handle 2.
  • the handle 2 comprises a stabilization tab 22 provided between the arms of the fork 10, in the extension of the connecting portion 8.
  • the base 12 comprises two main faces 24, 26 connected to each other by a peripheral wall 28.
  • the latter advantageously has an average height slightly greater than the average distance separating the main faces 24, 26 from each other, such that the main faces 24, 26 are located slightly set back with respect to to the peripheral wall 28 along the direction of the thickness of the head 4.
  • the peripheral wall 28 has a groove 30 extending on either side of the end of the base 12 located on the side of the handle 2, along a little more than half the length of the base 12.
  • two notches 32 are made at the bottom of the groove 30, at its two ends.
  • a hole 34 is made in the peripheral wall 28 at the level of the end of the base 12 located on the side of the handle 2.
  • the arrow shown in Figure 2 symbolizes the assembly of the head 4 to the handle 2.
  • the groove 30 is intended to facilitate the insertion of the head 4 between the two arms of the fork 10, until that the teeth 20 are positioned opposite the notches 32 and are inserted into the latter to ensure the locking of the head 4 on the handle 2.
  • the stabilization tongue 22 is inserted into the hole 34 to improve the strength of the mechanical connection between the handle 2 and the head 4.
  • the arms of the fork 10 are advantageously housed at least partially in the groove 30 and thus contribute to good holding the assembly.
  • the base 12 further comprises a plurality of anchoring channels 36 connecting its main faces 24, 26 to each other and whose function will be explained later.
  • a first channel 36a comprises a main portion, extending in a direction essentially parallel to the envelope of the peripheral wall 28, in other words vertical according to the orientation defined above, and a branch 38, extending from the main portion to the hole 34.
  • the first channel 36a could also be inclined alternatively, just like the other anchoring channel(s) 36.
  • the branch 38 has a smaller cross-section than that of the hole 34 and, possibly that of the main portion.
  • the cleaning member 14 is made in one piece and comprises a film 40, at least partially covering the main face 24, anchoring portions 42, filling the channels anchoring 36, 36a, an intermediate portion 44, covering the other main face 26 of the base 12, and the flexible cleaning elements 16.
  • the intermediate portion 44 acts as a buffer between the base 12 and the flexible cleaning elements 16 , as will be explained in more detail further away.
  • the anchoring portion 42 housed in the first anchoring channel 36a, is extended by a transverse portion housed in its branch 38, to define a stabilization stop 46 located here at the bottom hole 34, preferably but optionally.
  • the latter is intended to be compressed by the stabilization tongue 22 of the handle 2 when it is inserted into the hole 34, thus further reinforcing the stability of the mechanical connection between the handle 2 and the head 4 of the toothbrush 1 according to the present invention, in particular by avoiding any risk of relative rotation between the handle 2 and the head 4 along the axis passing through the notches 32.
  • the difference in dimensions provided between the sections of the hole 34 and of the bypass makes it possible to define a shoulder at the bottom of the hole 34 against which the stabilization stop 46 can rest under the effect of the pressure which it undergoes from the stabilization tongue 22, when the toothbrush is assembled, thus improving the anchoring of the stop stabilization 46 at the bottom of the hole 34 and reducing the clearance between the handle 2 and the head 4 in the longitudinal direction.
  • the main function of the first anchoring channel 36a is to allow the establishment of a stabilizing stop 46 at the bottom of the hole 34 or opposite the latter, during overmolding of the cleaning member 14.
  • the stabilization tab 22 can bear against a portion of the cleaning member 14, deforming it by compression, to improve the mechanical strength between the handle 2 and the head 4 of the toothbrush 1, that this portion either located in the hole 34 or in its extension.
  • the length of the stabilization tab 22 is greater than that of the hole 34, and that the stabilization stop 46 is arranged in the extension of the hole 34 instead of be at least partially housed therein.
  • the presence of a bypass 38 is not necessary, especially since it could oppose the passage of the stabilization tongue 22 of the due to its reduced transverse dimensions with reference to those of the hole 34.
  • the stabilization tab 22 would then bear directly against the anchoring portion 42 housed inside the first anchoring channel 36a, the region of the anchor 42 located opposite the hole 34 defining in this case the stabilization stop 46.
  • the anchoring channels 36 make it possible to improve the mechanical strength between the base 12 and the cleaning member 14, in particular by connecting the film 40 to the intermediate portion 44, to sandwich the base 12. If only two anchoring channels 36 have been illustrated here, those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in choosing a different number according to their own needs, it being noted that the more homogeneous the distribution of the anchoring channels will be over the entire extent of the base, more particularly towards its periphery, the better the mechanical strength of the cleaning member on the base.
  • the portion of the cleaning member 14 located in the bypass 38 and in the hole 34 intrinsically improves the anchoring of the anchoring portion 42 located in the first anchoring channel 36a compared to the anchoring portions located in the other anchoring channels 36, of identical shape.
  • a better anchoring effect would be obtained at the level of the first anchoring channel 36a, even though the latter would not extend over the entire height of the base 12 and would only open into one of its main faces 24 , 26.
  • first anchoring channel 36a leads simultaneously to the two main faces 24, 26 of the base 12.
  • one function of the anchoring channels is to improve the holding of the cleaning member 14 on the base 12, but their presence n is not essential depending on the materials used since certain pairs of materials may have a sufficient level of relative adhesion.
  • the flexible cleaning elements 16 are made here in the form of strips generally oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the base 12. It is possible to provide as an alternative that only part of the flexible cleaning elements 16 take on a such lamella shape, the others being able to take any other suitable shape. As appears more particularly from Figures 3a and 3b, the height of the flexible cleaning elements 16 can be variable depending on the width and/or the length of the base 12.
  • the cleaning member 14 comprises, in its intermediate portion 44, an empty pocket 48, elongated, preferably extending along at least one third of the length of the base 12, and preferably crossing along the width of the cleaning member 14, so as to fulfill a role of suspension by increasing the ability of the intermediate portion 44 to deform and therefore the ability of the flexible cleaning elements 16 to deform to better match teeth while brushing teeth.
  • the intermediate portion 44 comprises first and second empty pockets 50 similar to each other. The first and second empty pockets 50 are arranged symmetrically with reference to the median plane P2 of the head 4, being separated from each other by a thin membrane 52, flexible and also made in one piece with the cleaning member 14.
  • the second empty pocket could be located in the extension of the first empty pocket, with the interposition of a membrane, both then having a width equal to the width of the cleaning member 14 to be through in the width direction.
  • the empty pockets could of course each have a length less than one third of the length of the base 12.
  • FIG. 4 represents a simplified front view of the toothbrush 1 in use, and makes it possible to better illustrate the role played by the intermediate portion 44 and its empty pocket 48, in particular how the great aptitude of the intermediate portion 44 to be deformed makes it possible to maintain all of the flexible cleaning elements 16 in contact with the dentition, including in the regions where the dentition has a significant curvature, by maintaining the orientation, almost individually for each element cleaning hose 16, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the corresponding contact surface on the dentition.
  • Figures 5a and 5b show simplified views, respectively from the front or from above and in perspective, of variant embodiments of the toothbrush 1, more specifically of alternative ways of producing its flexible cleaning elements 16.
  • the lamellae may or may not have a constant thickness depending on their length.
  • the curvature of the lamellae could also be reversed with respect to the illustration of FIG. 5a, that is to say that the lamellae could appear convex when they are observed from the handle 2, or even any.
  • n+1 cleaning portions capable of deforming independently of each other, n being between 1 and 10.
  • Three cutting planes D have been symbolized in FIG. 5a, leading to the production of four independent cleaning portions per lamella, as illustrated in FIG. 5b. Thanks to such a characteristic, the flexible cleaning elements 16 are able to adapt even more to the details of the dentition when brushing the teeth.
  • Figures 6 and 7 show simplified views, respectively in perspective and in section according to a longitudinal vertical median section plane, of an additional alternative embodiment of the toothbrush 1, more specifically of an alternative way of achieve its cleansing organ 14.
  • the variant embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 differs essentially from the previous variants in that the cleaning member 14 has a limited extent along the general plane of the base 12. Indeed, the cleaning member 14 here has a limited number of flexible cleaning elements 16 arranged on the portion of the periphery of the base 12 located close to the handle 2. These flexible cleaning elements 16 are then combined with additional flexible cleaning elements 116 of a more conventional type, for example nylon, one end of which is secured to the base 12 in any known and suitable manner.
  • the additional flexible cleaning elements 116 be made directly integral with the base 12, the fact of the rigidity of the latter guaranteeing a better hold of the flexible cleaning elements 116 than if they were inserted in a compressible portion of the head 4, in particular in an intermediate portion 44 of the cleaning member 14, as described in relation to the previous variants.
  • first anchoring channel 36a communicates directly with the hole 34 and the region of the anchoring portion 42 which is located in this anchoring channel 36a, facing the hole 34, directly defines the stabilization abutment 46.
  • the handle 2 it may for example be made of metal (stainless steel, gold, etc.), or carbon fibers.
  • the handle may or may not have a constant thickness, in particular with a connecting portion 8 which has a thickness of the order of 2.5 to 5 mm when the handle is made of stainless steel.
  • the stabilization tab 22 may have sides (as visible in the view of Figure 2) measuring for example approximately 2 to 3 mm each, and a thickness of the same order of magnitude as that of the connecting portion 8.
  • its rigid base 12 can be made of any material having sufficient rigidity, for example a thermoplastic material (ABS), a resin to allow its manufacture by 3D printing, a wood, a metal , carbon, etc.
  • ABS thermoplastic material
  • the cleaning member 14 can be made of any material having sufficient elasticity, for example an elastomer, such as rubber, TPE or silicone. At least the flexible cleaning elements 16 can be loaded with abrasive microparticles to increase their wear resistance or even their abrasive power. In general, provision may be made for the flexible cleaning elements 16 to have a height less than or equal to approximately 10 mm, to limit their deformation during brushing of the teeth.
  • the toothbrush head according to the invention can be manufactured in a relatively simple manner, possibly in large series, while having optimal properties for ensuring effective toothbrushing.
  • the handle and the head of the toothbrush according to the present invention can advantageously be sterilized with steam.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a toothbrush (1) head (4) having a rigid base (12) intended to cooperate with a handle (2) in order to removably join the head (4) to the latter, and a cleaning member (14) that is secured to the base (12) and comprises a plurality of flexible cleaning elements (16), the base (12) comprising a hole (34) intended to receive a stabilizing tab (22) borne by the toothbrush handle (2), the cleaning member (14) being elastically deformable and being produced in one piece with the base (12) by being overmoulded thereon, and comprising a stabilizing end stop (46) positioned in the continuation of the hole (34), or at least partially inside the hole (34), so as to be able to be compressed by the stabilizing tab (22) when the head (4) is joined to the handle (2).

Description

Description Description
TETE DE BROSSE A DENTS AMOVIBLE ET BROSSE A DENTS COMPORTANT UNE TELLE TETE REMOVABLE TOOTHBRUSH HEAD AND TOOTHBRUSH COMPRISING SUCH A HEAD
Domaine technique Technical area
[0001] La présente invention concerne une tête de brosse à dents, comportant une base, rigide et allongée, comprenant deux faces principales reliées l'une à l'autre par une paroi périphérique présentant deux crans destinés à coopérer avec un manche de brosse à dents, pour assembler la tête à ce dernier de manière amovible, la base comprenant également un trou, à l'une de ses extrémités, débouchant dans la paroi périphérique et destiné à recevoir une languette de stabilisation portée par le manche de brosse à dents, et un organe nettoyant solidaire de la base et comprenant une pluralité d'éléments flexibles nettoyants. The present invention relates to a toothbrush head, comprising a base, rigid and elongated, comprising two main faces connected to each other by a peripheral wall having two notches intended to cooperate with a toothbrush handle. teeth, to assemble the head to the latter in a removable manner, the base also comprising a hole, at one of its ends, opening into the peripheral wall and intended to receive a stabilization tab carried by the toothbrush handle, and a cleaning member secured to the base and comprising a plurality of flexible cleaning elements.
Etat de la technique State of the art
[0002] Des têtes de brosses à dents amovibles de ce type sont déjà connues depuis longtemps dans l'état de la technique. [0002] Removable toothbrush heads of this type have already been known in the state of the art for a long time.
[0003] Ainsi, par exemple, le brevet US5224234 décrit plusieurs modes de réalisation d'une tête répondant aux caractéristiques ci-dessus. Les modes de réalisation illustrés sur les figures 11 à 15, notamment, prévoient une brosse à dents comportant un manche comprenant une poignée prolongée par deux bras, dont chacun comprend une dent orientée vers l'intérieur et destinée à coopérer avec un cran ménagé dans la tête. Le mode de réalisation des figures 14 et 15 prévoit en outre que la tête comprenne des gorges latérales dans lesquelles les bras du manche sont logés en configuration assemblée. En dehors de ces caractéristiques spécifiques, la tête présente une structure plutôt conventionnelle, c'est-à-dire qu'elle porte une pluralité de poils dont la base est retenue dans la tête de manière standard. [0003] Thus, for example, patent US5224234 describes several embodiments of a head meeting the above characteristics. The embodiments illustrated in Figures 11 to 15, in particular, provide a toothbrush comprising a handle comprising a handle extended by two arms, each of which comprises a tooth oriented inwards and intended to cooperate with a notch provided in the head. The embodiment of Figures 14 and 15 further provides that the head comprises lateral grooves in which the arms of the handle are housed in the assembled configuration. Apart from these specific characteristics, the head has a rather conventional structure, that is to say it carries a plurality of bristles whose base is retained in the head in a standard manner.
[0004] Diverses variantes de liaisons mécaniques entre la tête et le manche, plus ou moins robustes, sont présentées dans ce document. En effet, il convient de trouver une liaison mécanique entre la tête et le manche qui présente le meilleur compromis entre sa tenue ou sa robustesse, et son ergonomie du point de vue de l'opération de remplacement de la tête lorsque les éléments de nettoyage sont usés, notamment trop déformés pour remplir leur rôle de manière satisfaisante. Various variants of mechanical connections between the head and the handle, more or less robust, are presented in this document. Indeed, it is necessary to find a mechanical connection between the head and the handle which presents the best compromise between its behavior or its robustness, and its ergonomics of the point of view of the replacement operation of the head when the cleaning elements are worn, in particular too deformed to fulfill their role satisfactorily.
[0005] En outre, si la liaison mécanique entre la tête et le manche doit être robuste, il convient également de s'assurer que le jeu entre ces deux organes soit le plus faible possible, notamment pour éviter des mouvements de rotation de la tête en référence au manche dans diverses directions. [0005] In addition, if the mechanical connection between the head and the handle must be robust, it is also necessary to ensure that the play between these two organs is as small as possible, in particular to avoid rotational movements of the head. in reference to the handle in various directions.
[0006] Pour ce qui concerne les constructions de brosses à dents présentées dans ce document antérieur, on constate que la qualité de la liaison mécanique dépend notamment des matériaux employés, puisque ces derniers ont un impact direct, non seulement, sur les propriétés plus ou moins élastiques de la tête et du manche, mais également sur les procédés de fabrication mis en oeuvre, dont les tolérances sont plus ou moins importantes. As regards the constructions of toothbrushes presented in this prior document, it is noted that the quality of the mechanical connection depends in particular on the materials used, since the latter have a direct impact, not only on the properties more or less elastic of the head and the handle, but also on the manufacturing processes implemented, whose tolerances are more or less important.
[0007] La publication FR2595221 décrit un autre système d'assemblage d'un manche à une tête de brosse à dents de type conventionnel. Ce système prévoit que le manche comporte une languette longitudinale agencée pour s'insérer dans un trou adapté de la tête, ainsi qu'une paire de griffes latérales articulées commandées par un poussoir pour permettre le déverrouillage de la tête. Si cette approche permet de garantir une tenue plus efficace des griffes sur la tête, elle nécessite une construction plus complexe et rend plus compliqué le nettoyage de l'extrémité du manche, au niveau du mécanisme de commande des griffes. [0007] Publication FR2595221 describes another system for assembling a handle to a conventional toothbrush head. This system provides that the handle comprises a longitudinal tab arranged to be inserted into a suitable hole in the head, as well as a pair of articulated lateral claws controlled by a pusher to allow the unlocking of the head. If this approach makes it possible to guarantee a more effective hold of the claws on the head, it requires a more complex construction and makes it more complicated to clean the end of the handle, at the level of the mechanism for controlling the claws.
[0008] Ainsi, le besoin existe toujours de pouvoir disposer d'une brosse à dents dont la tête soit amovible, permettant ainsi une utilisation prolongée de son manche et donc une réduction de déchets, dans laquelle la liaison mécanique entre la tête et le manche soit à la fois robuste et stable, tout en offrant des conditions de fabrication simplifiées, sans pour autant diminuer la qualité de brossage correspondante. [0008] Thus, the need still exists to be able to have a toothbrush whose head is removable, thus allowing prolonged use of its handle and therefore a reduction in waste, in which the mechanical connection between the head and the handle is both robust and stable, while offering simplified manufacturing conditions, without reducing the corresponding brushing quality.
Divulgation de l’invention Disclosure of Invention
[0009] Un but principal de la présente invention est de proposer une tête de brosse à dents de construction alternative à celle des têtes de brosse à dents déjà connues de l'art antérieur, susceptible de présenter une liaison mécanique robuste et stable avec un manche adapté, tout en étant réalisée par la mise en œuvre d'un procédé de fabrication simple et en permettant d'obtenir une qualité de brossage au moins égale à celle des brosses à dents déjà connues. [0009] A main object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush head of alternative construction to that of the toothbrush heads already known from the prior art, capable of having a robust and stable mechanical connection with a handle adapted, while being achieved by setting implementation of a simple manufacturing process and making it possible to obtain a quality of brushing at least equal to that of the toothbrushes already known.
[0010] A cet effet, la présente invention concerne plus particulièrement une tête de brosse à dents du type mentionné plus haut, caractérisée par le fait que la base comporte un premier canal présentant une entrée dans l'une des faces principales et communiquant avec le trou, par le fait que l'organe nettoyant soit déformable de manière élastique et soit réalisé d'un seul bloc par surmoulage d'au moins une partie de la base incluant l'entrée du premier canal, et par le fait que l'organe nettoyant comprenne une première portion d'ancrage agencée dans le premier canal et définissant une butée de stabilisation positionnée dans le prolongement du trou, ou au moins partiellement à l'intérieur du trou, de manière à pouvoir être comprimée par la languette de stabilisation lorsque la tête est assemblée au manche. To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a toothbrush head of the type mentioned above, characterized in that the base comprises a first channel having an inlet in one of the main faces and communicating with the hole, by the fact that the cleaning member is elastically deformable and is produced in a single block by overmolding at least part of the base including the inlet of the first channel, and by the fact that the member cleaner comprises a first anchoring portion arranged in the first channel and defining a stabilization abutment positioned in the extension of the hole, or at least partially inside the hole, so as to be able to be compressed by the stabilization tongue when the head is assembled to the handle.
[0011] Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la tête de brosse à dents selon l'invention peut être fabriquée par la mise en œuvre d'un procédé de fabrication relativement aisé. En effet, une simple opération de surmoulage permet de réaliser l'organe nettoyant, dont l'ancrage sur la base rigide est renforcé grâce à sa portion d'ancrage agencée dans le premier canal, tout en permettant la réalisation simultanée d'une butée de stabilisation destinée à coopérer avec un manche. Ainsi, la coopération de la languette de stabilisation du manche avec la butée de stabilisation de la tête permet de garantir un meilleur maintien de la tête sur le manche, lors de l'utilisation de la brosse à dents assemblée, que dans le cas des brosses à dents de l'art antérieur, notamment en supprimant les risques de rotation relative entre la tête et le manche suivant un axe passant par les deux crans, ainsi que le jeu entre le manche et la tête suivant la direction longitudinale. [0011] Thanks to these characteristics, the toothbrush head according to the invention can be manufactured by implementing a relatively easy manufacturing process. Indeed, a simple overmolding operation makes it possible to produce the cleaning member, the anchoring of which on the rigid base is reinforced thanks to its anchoring portion arranged in the first channel, while allowing the simultaneous production of an abutment of stabilization intended to cooperate with a handle. Thus, the cooperation of the stabilizing tab of the handle with the stabilizing abutment of the head makes it possible to guarantee a better hold of the head on the handle, when using the assembled toothbrush, than in the case of brushes with teeth of the prior art, in particular by eliminating the risks of relative rotation between the head and the handle along an axis passing through the two notches, as well as the clearance between the handle and the head in the longitudinal direction.
[0012] Il peut être particulièrement avantageux de prévoir que le premier canal présente une sortie débouchant dans l'autre des faces principales, et que la première portion d'ancrage relie les faces principales l'une à l'autre, afin d'assurer une liaison mécanique encore plus robuste entre l'organe nettoyant et la base rigide. [0013] En outre, il peut être encore plus avantageux de prévoir que le premier canal comprenne une portion principale, s'étendant suivant une direction essentiellement parallèle à l'enveloppe de la paroi périphérique, et une dérivation, s'étendant depuis la portion principale jusqu'au trou pour définir la butée de stabilisation. Dans ce cas, on peut en outre prévoir que la dérivation présente une section transversale plus petite que celle du trou pour définir un épaulement au fond de ce dernier, et que la butée de stabilisation soit au moins partiellement agencée à l'intérieur du trou en appui contre l'épaulement. [0012] It may be particularly advantageous to provide that the first channel has an outlet opening into the other of the main faces, and that the first anchoring portion connects the main faces to each other, in order to ensure an even more robust mechanical connection between the cleaning member and the rigid base. [0013] In addition, it may be even more advantageous to provide that the first channel comprises a main portion, extending in a direction essentially parallel to the envelope of the peripheral wall, and a branch, extending from the portion main to the hole to define the stabilization stop. In this case, provision can also be made for the bypass to have a smaller cross-section than that of the hole in order to define a shoulder at the bottom of the latter, and for the stabilization stop to be at least partially arranged inside the hole in support against the shoulder.
[0014] Grâce à ces caractéristiques supplémentaires, en contrôlant le dimensionnement relatif entre le trou et la dérivation, il est possible de garantir un bon ancrage de la butée de stabilisation lorsqu'elle est au moins partiellement logée dans le trou, en appui contre l'épaulement au fond du trou. [0014] Thanks to these additional characteristics, by controlling the relative sizing between the hole and the bypass, it is possible to guarantee good anchoring of the stabilization stop when it is at least partially housed in the hole, resting against the shoulder at the bottom of the hole.
[0015] De manière générale, on peut préférablement prévoir que la base comporte une pluralité de canaux supplémentaires, d'ancrage, reliant les faces principales l'une à l'autre, et dont chacun est rempli par une portion d'ancrage supplémentaire de l'organe nettoyant. On peut ainsi assurer une bonne homogénéité de la tenue de l'organe nettoyant sur toute l'étendue de la base. [0015] In general, provision may preferably be made for the base to comprise a plurality of additional anchoring channels, connecting the main faces to one another, and each of which is filled with an additional anchoring portion of the cleansing organ. It is thus possible to ensure good homogeneity of the hold of the cleaning member over the entire extent of the base.
[0016] Selon une variante de réalisation, on peut prévoir que chacune des faces principales soit au moins partiellement surmoulée par l'organe nettoyant. [0016]According to a variant embodiment, provision may be made for each of the main faces to be at least partially overmolded by the cleaning member.
[0017] Dans ce cas, on peut en outre prévoir que la paroi périphérique présente une hauteur moyenne légèrement supérieure à la distance moyenne séparant les faces principales l'une de l'autre, de telle manière que les faces principales soient situées en léger retrait par rapport à la paroi périphérique suivant la direction de l'épaisseur de la tête. Ainsi, la tenue relative entre l'organe nettoyant et la base lors de l'utilisation de la brosse à dents correspondante est encore améliorée. [0017] In this case, provision can also be made for the peripheral wall to have an average height slightly greater than the average distance separating the main faces from each other, such that the main faces are located slightly set back. relative to the peripheral wall along the direction of the thickness of the head. Thus, the relative hold between the cleaning member and the base when using the corresponding toothbrush is further improved.
[0018] De manière générale, on peut avantageusement prévoir qu'au moins une partie des éléments flexibles nettoyants soit réalisée sous la forme de lamelles généralement orientées suivant une direction sensiblement transversale à la direction longitudinale de la base. [0019] De plus, on peut également prévoir, dans ce cas, qu'au moins certaines des lamelles soient légèrement incurvées suivant leur direction longitudinale. In general, provision can advantageously be made for at least some of the flexible cleaning elements to be made in the form of slats generally oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the base. [0019] In addition, provision can also be made, in this case, for at least some of the slats to be slightly curved in their longitudinal direction.
[0020] En alternative ou en complément, on peut également prévoir qu'au moins certaines des lamelles présentent n découpes, réparties de manière sensiblement régulière suivant leur longueur, définissant n+1 portions nettoyantes susceptibles de se déformer indépendamment les unes des autres, n étant compris entre 1 et 10. [0020] As an alternative or in addition, provision may also be made for at least some of the slats to have n cutouts, distributed in a substantially regular manner along their length, defining n+1 cleaning portions capable of deforming independently of each other, n being between 1 and 10.
[0021] De manière générale, on peut également prévoir qu'une gorge soit ménagée dans la paroi périphérique de la base, la gorge s'étendant de part et d'autre de l'extrémité de la base comportant le trou, suivant au moins la moitié de la longueur de la base, et que les crans soient ménagés au fond de la gorge. [0021] In general, provision can also be made for a groove to be made in the peripheral wall of the base, the groove extending on either side of the end of the base comprising the hole, following at least half the length of the base, and that the notches are arranged at the back of the groove.
[0022] De manière générale, on peut prévoir que l'organe nettoyant comprenne une poche vide allongée, préférablement traversante suivant la largeur de l'organe nettoyant et s'étendant préférablement suivant au moins un tiers de la longueur de la base, de manière à remplir un rôle de suspension. [0022] In general, provision can be made for the cleaning member to comprise an elongated empty pocket, preferably crossing along the width of the cleaning member and preferably extending along at least one third of the length of the base, so as to to fulfill a suspending role.
[0023] En alternative, on peut prévoir que l'organe nettoyant comprenne au moins des première et deuxième poches vides agencées symétriquement en référence à un plan médian de la tête sensiblement perpendiculaire aux faces principales ou dans le prolongement l'une de l'autre suivant la direction longitudinale de la base, en étant séparées l'une de l'autre par une membrane flexible réalisée d'une pièce avec l'organe nettoyant. [0023] Alternatively, provision may be made for the cleaning member to comprise at least first and second empty pockets arranged symmetrically with reference to a median plane of the head substantially perpendicular to the main faces or in the extension of one another. along the longitudinal direction of the base, being separated from each other by a flexible membrane made in one piece with the cleaning member.
[0024] Grâce à ces caractéristiques, l'organe nettoyant peut parfaitement s'adapter à la courbure de la dentition lors des opérations de brossage de dents. [0024] Thanks to these characteristics, the cleaning member can adapt perfectly to the curvature of the dentition during toothbrushing operations.
[0025] La présente invention concerne également un manche de brosse à dents destiné à coopérer avec une tête de brosse à dents selon les caractéristiques énoncées ci-dessus, comportant une poignée prolongée à une extrémité par une portion de liaison, elle-même prolongée par une fourche à deux bras, dont chaque bras est pourvu d'une dent destinée à coopérer avec un cran de la tête, et comprenant une languette de stabilisation agencée dans le prolongement de la portion de liaison, entre les bras de la fourche, et destinée à être insérée dans le trou de la tête. [0026] La présente invention concerne encore une brosse à dents comportant une tête et un manche selon les caractéristiques ci-dessus. The present invention also relates to a toothbrush handle intended to cooperate with a toothbrush head according to the characteristics stated above, comprising a handle extended at one end by a connecting portion, itself extended by a two-arm fork, each arm of which is provided with a tooth intended to cooperate with a notch of the head, and comprising a stabilization tongue arranged in the extension of the connecting portion, between the arms of the fork, and intended to be inserted into the hole in the head. The present invention also relates to a toothbrush comprising a head and a handle according to the characteristics above.
Brève description des dessins Brief description of the drawings
[0027] D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation préféré qui suit, faite en référence aux dessins annexés donnés à titre d'exemple non limitatif et dans lesquels: Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which :
- la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'une brosse à dents selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention; - Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a toothbrush according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- la figure 2 représente une vue de face simplifiée et en coupe partielle, selon un premier plan de coupe, de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 ; - Figure 2 shows a simplified front view in partial section, along a first section plane, of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- les figures 3a et 3b représentent des vues en coupe simplifiées, selon des deuxième et troisième plans de coupe respectifs, de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 ; - Figures 3a and 3b show simplified sectional views, according to respective second and third sectional planes, of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- la figure 4 représente une vue de face simplifiée de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 en situation d'utilisation; - Figure 4 shows a simplified front view of the toothbrush of Figure 1 in use;
- les figures 5a et 5b représentent des vues simplifiées, respectivement de face et en perspective, de variantes de réalisation de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 ; - Figures 5a and 5b show simplified views, respectively from the front and in perspective, of variant embodiments of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- la figure 6 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'une variante de réalisation supplémentaire de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 , et - Figure 6 shows a simplified perspective view of an additional alternative embodiment of the toothbrush of Figure 1, and
- la figure 7 représente une vue en coupe transversale simplifiée de la brosse à dents de la figure 6, selon un plan de coupe similaire à celui de la figure 3a. - Figure 7 shows a simplified cross-sectional view of the toothbrush of Figure 6, according to a section plane similar to that of Figure 3a.
Mode(s) de réalisation de l’invention Embodiment(s) of the Invention
[0028] La figure 1 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'une brosse à dents 1 selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention. Figure 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a toothbrush 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] La brosse à dents 1 est du type comportant un manche 2 portant une tête 4, allongée et assemblée au manche 2 de manière amovible. A cet effet, le manche 2 comporte une poignée 6 prolongée à une extrémité par une portion de liaison 8, elle-même prolongée par une fourche 10 à deux bras assurant la liaison avec la tête 4, comme cela sera décrit plus en détail ci- dessous. The toothbrush 1 is of the type comprising a handle 2 carrying a head 4, elongated and assembled to the handle 2 in a removable manner. For this purpose, the handle 2 comprises a handle 6 extended at one end by a connecting portion 8, itself extended by a fork 10 with two arms providing the connection with the head 4, as will be described in more detail below.
[0030] La tête 4 comprend une base rigide 12, partiellement surmoulée par un organe nettoyant 14 comprenant notamment une pluralité d'éléments flexibles nettoyants 16. The head 4 comprises a rigid base 12, partially overmolded by a cleaning member 14 comprising in particular a plurality of flexible cleaning elements 16.
[0031] La figure 2 représente une vue de face simplifiée, en coupe partielle selon un premier plan de coupe, de la brosse à dents 1 , tandis que les figures 3a et 3b représentent des vues en coupe simplifiées de la brosse à dents 1 , selon des deuxième et troisième plans de coupe respectifs. Plus précisément, seule la tête 4 est représentée en coupe sur la vue de la figure 2, selon un plan de coupe sensiblement confondu avec un plan horizontal médian (référencé par P1 sur la figure 3a, "horizontal" faisant référence à l'orientation de la brosse à dents lorsqu'elle est posée sur un support avec ses éléments nettoyants orientés verticalement) de sa base rigide 12. La figure 3a représente une vue selon un plan de coupe sensiblement confondu avec un plan médian vertical et longitudinal de la brosse à dents 1 (référencé par P2 sur la figure 2), tandis que la figure 3b représente une vue selon un plan de coupe vertical et transversal de la brosse à dents 1 (référencé par P3 sur la figure 2). [0031] Figure 2 shows a simplified front view, in partial section along a first section plane, of the toothbrush 1, while Figures 3a and 3b show simplified sectional views of the toothbrush 1, according to respective second and third cutting planes. More precisely, only the head 4 is represented in section in the view of FIG. 2, according to a section plane substantially merging with a median horizontal plane (referenced by P1 in FIG. 3a, "horizontal" referring to the orientation of the toothbrush when it is placed on a support with its cleaning elements oriented vertically) of its rigid base 12. FIG. 3a represents a view according to a section plane substantially coinciding with a vertical and longitudinal median plane of the toothbrush 1 (referenced by P2 in Figure 2), while Figure 3b shows a view according to a vertical and transverse sectional plane of the toothbrush 1 (referenced by P3 in Figure 2).
[0032] Il ressort plus particulièrement de la vue de la figure 2 que chaque bras de la fourche 10 comprend une dent 20 destinée à coopérer avec la tête 4 pour assurer l'assemblage de cette dernière sur le manche 2. En outre, le manche 2 comprend une languette de stabilisation 22 ménagée entre les bras de la fourche 10, dans le prolongement de la portion de liaison 8. It is more particularly apparent from the view of Figure 2 that each arm of the fork 10 comprises a tooth 20 intended to cooperate with the head 4 to ensure the assembly of the latter on the handle 2. In addition, the handle 2 comprises a stabilization tab 22 provided between the arms of the fork 10, in the extension of the connecting portion 8.
[0033] Les vues des figures 2, 3a et 3b permettent de mieux mettre en évidence la construction de la tête 4. En particulier, il apparait que la base 12 comprend deux faces principales 24, 26 reliées l'une à l'autre par une paroi périphérique 28. Cette dernière présente avantageusement une hauteur moyenne légèrement supérieure à la distance moyenne séparant les faces principales 24, 26 l'une de l'autre, de telle manière que les faces principales 24, 26 soient situées en léger retrait par rapport à la paroi périphérique 28 suivant la direction de l'épaisseur de la tête 4. [0034] La paroi périphérique 28 comporte une gorge 30 s'étendant de part et d'autre de l'extrémité de la base 12 située du côté du manche 2, suivant un peu plus de la moitié de la longueur de la base 12. Par ailleurs, deux crans 32 sont ménagés au fond de la gorge 30, au niveau de ses deux extrémités. En outre, un trou 34 est ménagé dans la paroi périphérique 28 au niveau de l'extrémité de la base 12 située du côté du manche 2. The views of Figures 2, 3a and 3b make it possible to better highlight the construction of the head 4. In particular, it appears that the base 12 comprises two main faces 24, 26 connected to each other by a peripheral wall 28. The latter advantageously has an average height slightly greater than the average distance separating the main faces 24, 26 from each other, such that the main faces 24, 26 are located slightly set back with respect to to the peripheral wall 28 along the direction of the thickness of the head 4. The peripheral wall 28 has a groove 30 extending on either side of the end of the base 12 located on the side of the handle 2, along a little more than half the length of the base 12. Furthermore, two notches 32 are made at the bottom of the groove 30, at its two ends. In addition, a hole 34 is made in the peripheral wall 28 at the level of the end of the base 12 located on the side of the handle 2.
[0035] La flèche illustrée sur la figure 2 symbolise l'assemblage de la tête 4 au manche 2. On comprend que la gorge 30 est destinée à faciliter l'insertion de la tête 4 entre les deux bras de la fourche 10, jusqu'à ce que les dents 20 soient positionnées en regard des crans 32 et s'insèrent dans ces derniers pour assurer le verrouillage de la tête 4 sur le manche 2. Dans le même temps, la languette de stabilisation 22 s'insère dans le trou 34 pour améliorer la tenue de la liaison mécanique entre le manche 2 et la tête 4. Dans la configuration assemblée de la brosse à dents 1 , les bras de la fourche 10 sont avantageusement logés au moins partiellement dans la gorge 30 et contribuent ainsi à la bonne tenue de l'assemblage. The arrow shown in Figure 2 symbolizes the assembly of the head 4 to the handle 2. It is understood that the groove 30 is intended to facilitate the insertion of the head 4 between the two arms of the fork 10, until that the teeth 20 are positioned opposite the notches 32 and are inserted into the latter to ensure the locking of the head 4 on the handle 2. At the same time, the stabilization tongue 22 is inserted into the hole 34 to improve the strength of the mechanical connection between the handle 2 and the head 4. In the assembled configuration of the toothbrush 1, the arms of the fork 10 are advantageously housed at least partially in the groove 30 and thus contribute to good holding the assembly.
[0036] La base 12 comporte encore une pluralité de canaux d'ancrage 36 reliant ses faces principales 24, 26 l'une à l'autre et dont la fonction sera exposée plus loin. En particulier, un premier canal 36a comprend une portion principale, s'étendant suivant une direction essentiellement parallèle à l'enveloppe de la paroi périphérique 28, autrement dit verticale selon l'orientation définie plus haut, et une dérivation 38, s'étendant depuis la portion principale jusqu'au trou 34. Le premier canal 36a pourrait aussi être incliné en alternative, tout comme le ou les autres canaux d'ancrage 36. La dérivation 38 présente une section transversale plus petite que celle du trou 34 et, éventuellement que celle de la portion principale. The base 12 further comprises a plurality of anchoring channels 36 connecting its main faces 24, 26 to each other and whose function will be explained later. In particular, a first channel 36a comprises a main portion, extending in a direction essentially parallel to the envelope of the peripheral wall 28, in other words vertical according to the orientation defined above, and a branch 38, extending from the main portion to the hole 34. The first channel 36a could also be inclined alternatively, just like the other anchoring channel(s) 36. The branch 38 has a smaller cross-section than that of the hole 34 and, possibly that of the main portion.
[0037] Il ressort par ailleurs de ces vues en coupe que l'organe nettoyant 14 est réalisé d'un seul bloc et comprend un film 40, recouvrant au moins partiellement la face principale 24, des portions d'ancrage 42, remplissant les canaux d'ancrage 36, 36a, une portion intermédiaire 44, recouvrant l'autre face principale 26 de la base 12, et les éléments flexibles nettoyants 16. La portion intermédiaire 44 joue un rôle de tampon entre la base 12 et les éléments flexibles nettoyants 16, comme cela sera exposé plus en détail plus loin. Il apparait plus particulièrement des figures 2 et 3a que la portion d'ancrage 42, logée dans le premier canal d'ancrage 36a, est prolongée par une portion transversale logée dans sa dérivation 38, pour définir une butée de stabilisation 46 située ici au fond du trou 34, de manière préférée mais optionnelle. Cette dernière est destinée à être comprimée par la languette de stabilisation 22 du manche 2 lorsqu'elle est insérée dans le trou 34, renforçant ainsi davantage la stabilité de la liaison mécanique entre le manche 2 et la tête 4 de la brosse à dents 1 selon la présente invention, notamment en évitant tout risque de rotation relative entre le manche 2 et la tête 4 suivant l'axe passant par les crans 32. La différence de dimensions prévue entre les sections du trou 34 et de la dérivation permet de définir un épaulement au fond du trou 34 contre lequel la butée de stabilisation 46 peut s'appuyer sous l'effet de la pression qu'elle subit de la languette de stabilisation 22, lorsque la brosse à dents est assemblée, améliorant ainsi l'ancrage de la butée de stabilisation 46 au fond du trou 34 et réduisant le jeu entre le manche 2 et la tête 4 suivant la direction longitudinale. It also emerges from these sectional views that the cleaning member 14 is made in one piece and comprises a film 40, at least partially covering the main face 24, anchoring portions 42, filling the channels anchoring 36, 36a, an intermediate portion 44, covering the other main face 26 of the base 12, and the flexible cleaning elements 16. The intermediate portion 44 acts as a buffer between the base 12 and the flexible cleaning elements 16 , as will be explained in more detail further away. It appears more particularly from Figures 2 and 3a that the anchoring portion 42, housed in the first anchoring channel 36a, is extended by a transverse portion housed in its branch 38, to define a stabilization stop 46 located here at the bottom hole 34, preferably but optionally. The latter is intended to be compressed by the stabilization tongue 22 of the handle 2 when it is inserted into the hole 34, thus further reinforcing the stability of the mechanical connection between the handle 2 and the head 4 of the toothbrush 1 according to the present invention, in particular by avoiding any risk of relative rotation between the handle 2 and the head 4 along the axis passing through the notches 32. The difference in dimensions provided between the sections of the hole 34 and of the bypass makes it possible to define a shoulder at the bottom of the hole 34 against which the stabilization stop 46 can rest under the effect of the pressure which it undergoes from the stabilization tongue 22, when the toothbrush is assembled, thus improving the anchoring of the stop stabilization 46 at the bottom of the hole 34 and reducing the clearance between the handle 2 and the head 4 in the longitudinal direction.
[0038] On comprend bien de ce qui précède que la fonction principale du premier canal d'ancrage 36a est de permettre la mise en place d'une butée de stabilisation 46 au fond du trou 34 ou en regard de ce dernier, lors du surmoulage de l'organe nettoyant 14. Ceci implique, comme unique condition de réalisation, que le premier canal d'ancrage 36a et le trou 34 communiquent l'un avec l'autre, éventuellement mais non obligatoirement par l'intermédiaire d'une dérivation 38. Ainsi, la languette de stabilisation 22 peut prendre appui contre une portion de l'organe nettoyant 14, en la déformant par compression, pour améliorer la tenue mécanique entre le manche 2 et la tête 4 de la brosse à dents 1 , que cette portion soit située dans le trou 34 ou dans son prolongement. It is clear from the above that the main function of the first anchoring channel 36a is to allow the establishment of a stabilizing stop 46 at the bottom of the hole 34 or opposite the latter, during overmolding of the cleaning member 14. This implies, as the only condition of realization, that the first anchoring channel 36a and the hole 34 communicate with each other, optionally but not necessarily via a branch 38 Thus, the stabilization tab 22 can bear against a portion of the cleaning member 14, deforming it by compression, to improve the mechanical strength between the handle 2 and the head 4 of the toothbrush 1, that this portion either located in the hole 34 or in its extension.
[0039] En effet, il est également possible de prévoir en alternative que la longueur de la languette de stabilisation 22 soit supérieure à celle du trou 34, et que la butée de stabilisation 46 soit agencée dans le prolongement du trou 34 au lieu d'être au moins partiellement logée dedans. Dans ce cas, bien entendu, la présence d'une dérivation 38 n'est pas nécessaire, d'autant plus qu'elle pourrait s'opposer au passage de la languette de stabilisation 22 du fait de ses dimensions transversales réduites en référence à celles du trou 34. La languette de stabilisation 22 prendrait alors directement appui contre la portion d'ancrage 42 logée à l'intérieur du premier canal d'ancrage 36a, la région de la portion d'ancrage 42 située en regard du trou 34 définissant dans ce cas la butée de stabilisation 46. Indeed, it is also possible to provide as an alternative that the length of the stabilization tab 22 is greater than that of the hole 34, and that the stabilization stop 46 is arranged in the extension of the hole 34 instead of be at least partially housed therein. In this case, of course, the presence of a bypass 38 is not necessary, especially since it could oppose the passage of the stabilization tongue 22 of the due to its reduced transverse dimensions with reference to those of the hole 34. The stabilization tab 22 would then bear directly against the anchoring portion 42 housed inside the first anchoring channel 36a, the region of the anchor 42 located opposite the hole 34 defining in this case the stabilization stop 46.
[0040] Les canaux d'ancrage 36 permettent d'améliorer la tenue mécanique entre la base 12 et l'organe nettoyant 14, notamment en reliant le film 40 à la portion intermédiaire 44, pour prendre en sandwich la base 12. Si seulement deux canaux d'ancrage 36 ont été illustrés ici, l'homme du métier ne rencontrera pas de difficulté particulière pour en choisir un nombre différent en fonction de ses propres besoins, étant noté que plus la répartition des canaux d'ancrage sera homogène sur toute l'étendue de la base, plus particulièrement vers sa périphérie, meilleure sera la tenue mécanique de l'organe nettoyant sur la base. The anchoring channels 36 make it possible to improve the mechanical strength between the base 12 and the cleaning member 14, in particular by connecting the film 40 to the intermediate portion 44, to sandwich the base 12. If only two anchoring channels 36 have been illustrated here, those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in choosing a different number according to their own needs, it being noted that the more homogeneous the distribution of the anchoring channels will be over the entire extent of the base, more particularly towards its periphery, the better the mechanical strength of the cleaning member on the base.
[0041] L'homme du métier pourra bien entendu prévoir la réalisation d'une base 12 ne comportant que le premier canal d'ancrage 36a comme unique canal d'ancrage, en fonction des matériaux utilisés respectivement pour la base 12 et pour l'organe nettoyant 14, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées. En effet, le niveau d'adhérence entre la base 12 et l'organe nettoyant 14 va dépendre des matériaux retenus et il est possible de choisir des couples de matériaux tels que la mise en place de canaux d'ancrage soit superflue pour assurer la bonne tenue de l'organe nettoyant 14 sur la base 12. [0041] The person skilled in the art could of course provide for the production of a base 12 comprising only the first anchoring channel 36a as the only anchoring channel, depending on the materials used respectively for the base 12 and for the cleaning member 14, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Indeed, the level of adhesion between the base 12 and the cleaning member 14 will depend on the materials selected and it is possible to choose pairs of materials such that the installation of anchoring channels is superfluous to ensure good holding the cleaning member 14 on the base 12.
[0042] Il ressort à l'évidence de ce qui précède, ainsi que de la fonction du premier canal d'ancrage 36a, que la forme et les dimensions de ce dernier peuvent être différentes de celles des autres canaux d'ancrage 36, lorsqu'il y en a plusieurs. En effet, l'homme du métier ne rencontrera pas de difficulté particulière pour adapter le présent enseignement en fonction de ses besoins spécifiques, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées. En particulier, on notera que, par exemple, lorsqu'une dérivation 38 est prévue pour faire communiquer le premier canal d'ancrage 36a et le trou 34, la portion de l'organe nettoyant 14 située dans la dérivation 38 et dans le trou 34 (la butée de stabilisation 46) améliore intrinsèquement l'ancrage de la portion d'ancrage 42 située dans le premier canal d'ancrage 36a par rapport aux portions d'ancrage situées dans les autres canaux d'ancrage 36, à forme identique. Ainsi, un meilleur effet d'ancrage serait obtenu au niveau du premier canal d'ancrage 36a, quand bien même ce dernier ne s'étendrait pas sur toute la hauteur de la base 12 et ne déboucherait que dans une seule de ses faces principales 24, 26. Par ailleurs, de manière plus générale, c'est-à-dire même sans la présence d'une dérivation 38, on comprend bien qu'il n'est pas obligatoire que le premier canal d'ancrage 36a débouche simultanément sur les deux faces principales 24, 26 de la base 12. Comme mentionné plus haut, une fonction des canaux d'ancrage, de manière générale, est d'améliorer la tenue de l'organe nettoyant 14 sur la base 12, mais leur présence n'est pas indispensable suivant les matériaux utilisés puisque certains couples de matériaux peuvent présenter un niveau d'adhérence relative suffisant. [0042] It is evident from the foregoing, as well as from the function of the first anchoring channel 36a, that the shape and dimensions of the latter may be different from those of the other anchoring channels 36, when 'there are several of them. Indeed, those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching according to their specific needs, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, it will be noted that, for example, when a bypass 38 is provided to communicate the first anchoring channel 36a and the hole 34, the portion of the cleaning member 14 located in the bypass 38 and in the hole 34 (the stabilization stopper 46) intrinsically improves the anchoring of the anchoring portion 42 located in the first anchoring channel 36a compared to the anchoring portions located in the other anchoring channels 36, of identical shape. Thus, a better anchoring effect would be obtained at the level of the first anchoring channel 36a, even though the latter would not extend over the entire height of the base 12 and would only open into one of its main faces 24 , 26. Furthermore, more generally, that is to say even without the presence of a bypass 38, it is clear that it is not mandatory that the first anchoring channel 36a leads simultaneously to the two main faces 24, 26 of the base 12. As mentioned above, one function of the anchoring channels, in general, is to improve the holding of the cleaning member 14 on the base 12, but their presence n is not essential depending on the materials used since certain pairs of materials may have a sufficient level of relative adhesion.
[0043] Les éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 sont réalisés ici sous la forme de lamelles généralement orientées suivant une direction sensiblement transversale à la direction longitudinale de la base 12. Il est possible de prévoir en alternative que seulement une partie des éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 prennent une telle forme de lamelle, les autres pouvant prendre toute autre forme adaptée. Comme cela apparait plus particulièrement des figures 3a et 3b, la hauteur des éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 peut être variable suivant la largeur et/ou la longueur de la base 12. [0043] The flexible cleaning elements 16 are made here in the form of strips generally oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the base 12. It is possible to provide as an alternative that only part of the flexible cleaning elements 16 take on a such lamella shape, the others being able to take any other suitable shape. As appears more particularly from Figures 3a and 3b, the height of the flexible cleaning elements 16 can be variable depending on the width and/or the length of the base 12.
[0044] Il ressort enfin plus particulièrement de la figure 3a que l'organe nettoyant 14 comprend, dans sa portion intermédiaire 44, une poche vide 48, allongée, s'étendant préférablement suivant au moins un tiers de la longueur de la base 12, et préférablement traversante suivant la largeur de l'organe nettoyant 14, de manière à remplir un rôle de suspension en augmentant l'aptitude de la portion intermédiaire 44 à se déformer et donc l'aptitude des éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 à se déformer pour mieux épouser la dentition lors du brossage de dents. Dans la variante de réalisation illustrée sur la figure 3b, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, la portion intermédiaire 44 comporte des première et deuxième poches vides 50 similaires l'une à l'autre. Les première et deuxième poches vides 50 sont agencées symétriquement en référence au plan P2 médian de la tête 4, en étant séparées l'une de l'autre par une fine membrane 52, flexible et également réalisée d'une pièce avec l'organe nettoyant 14. Finally, it is apparent more particularly from Figure 3a that the cleaning member 14 comprises, in its intermediate portion 44, an empty pocket 48, elongated, preferably extending along at least one third of the length of the base 12, and preferably crossing along the width of the cleaning member 14, so as to fulfill a role of suspension by increasing the ability of the intermediate portion 44 to deform and therefore the ability of the flexible cleaning elements 16 to deform to better match teeth while brushing teeth. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3b, by way of non-limiting example, the intermediate portion 44 comprises first and second empty pockets 50 similar to each other. The first and second empty pockets 50 are arranged symmetrically with reference to the median plane P2 of the head 4, being separated from each other by a thin membrane 52, flexible and also made in one piece with the cleaning member 14.
[0045] En alternative, la deuxième poche vide pourrait être située dans le prolongement de la première poche vide, avec interposition d'une membrane, toutes deux présentant alors une largeur égale à la largeur de l'organe nettoyant 14 pour être traversantes dans le sens de la largeur. Dans ce cas, les poches vides pourraient bien entendu présenter chacune une longueur inférieure à un tiers de la longueur de la base 12. D'autres combinaisons sont envisageables sans pour autant sortir du cadre de la présente invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées. On pourrait par exemple prévoir deux rangées adjacentes de poches vides suivant la largeur de l'organe nettoyant 14, chaque rangée comprenant avantageusement deux ou trois poches vides dans le prolongement les unes des autres. Les différentes poches vides adjacentes seraient alors séparées deux à deux par une membrane réalisée d'une pièce avec l'organe nettoyant 14. Alternatively, the second empty pocket could be located in the extension of the first empty pocket, with the interposition of a membrane, both then having a width equal to the width of the cleaning member 14 to be through in the width direction. In this case, the empty pockets could of course each have a length less than one third of the length of the base 12. Other combinations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. One could for example provide two adjacent rows of empty pockets along the width of the cleaning member 14, each row advantageously comprising two or three empty pockets in the extension of each other. The various adjacent empty pockets would then be separated two by two by a membrane made in one piece with the cleaning member 14.
[0046] La figure 4 représente une vue de face simplifiée de la brosse à dents 1 en situation d'utilisation, et permet de mieux illustrer le rôle joué par la portion intermédiaire 44 et sa poche vide 48, en particulier comment la grande aptitude de la portion intermédiaire 44 à se déformer permet de maintenir l'ensemble des éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 au contact de la dentition, y compris dans les régions où la dentition présente une courbure importante, en maintenant l'orientation, quasiment de manière individuelle pour chaque élément flexible nettoyant 16, suivant une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à la surface de contact correspondante sur la dentition. [0046] FIG. 4 represents a simplified front view of the toothbrush 1 in use, and makes it possible to better illustrate the role played by the intermediate portion 44 and its empty pocket 48, in particular how the great aptitude of the intermediate portion 44 to be deformed makes it possible to maintain all of the flexible cleaning elements 16 in contact with the dentition, including in the regions where the dentition has a significant curvature, by maintaining the orientation, almost individually for each element cleaning hose 16, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the corresponding contact surface on the dentition.
[0047] Les figures 5a et 5b représentent des vues simplifiées, respectivement de face ou de dessus et en perspective, de variantes de réalisation de la brosse à dents 1 , plus spécifiquement de manières alternatives de réaliser ses éléments flexibles nettoyants 16. [0048] Comme illustré sur la vue de dessus de la figure 5a, on peut prévoir qu'au moins certaines des lamelles soient légèrement incurvées suivant leur direction longitudinale, de telle manière qu'elles apparaissent concaves lorsqu'elles sont observées depuis le manche 2. Les lamelles peuvent avoir une épaisseur constante ou non suivant leur longueur. En alternative, la courbure des lamelles pourrait aussi être inversée par rapport à l'illustration de la figure 5a, c'est-à-dire que les lamelles pourraient apparaître convexes lorsqu'elles sont observées depuis le manche 2, voire quelconque. [0047] Figures 5a and 5b show simplified views, respectively from the front or from above and in perspective, of variant embodiments of the toothbrush 1, more specifically of alternative ways of producing its flexible cleaning elements 16. As illustrated in the top view of Figure 5a, provision can be made for at least some of the slats to be slightly curved in their longitudinal direction, so that they appear concave when observed from the handle 2 The lamellae may or may not have a constant thickness depending on their length. Alternatively, the curvature of the lamellae could also be reversed with respect to the illustration of FIG. 5a, that is to say that the lamellae could appear convex when they are observed from the handle 2, or even any.
[0049] En alternative ou en complément, on peut prévoir qu'au moins certaines des lamelles présentent n découpes, réparties de manière sensiblement régulière suivant leur longueur, définissant n+1 portions nettoyantes susceptibles de se déformer indépendamment les unes des autres, n étant compris entre 1 et 10. On a symbolisé trois plans de découpes D sur la figure 5a, entraînant la réalisation de quatre portions nettoyantes indépendantes par lamelle, comme illustré sur la figure 5b. Grâce à une telle caractéristique, les éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 sont aptes à s'adapter encore davantage aux détails de la dentition lors du brossage de dents. Alternatively or in addition, provision may be made for at least some of the slats to have n cutouts, distributed substantially evenly along their length, defining n+1 cleaning portions capable of deforming independently of each other, n being between 1 and 10. Three cutting planes D have been symbolized in FIG. 5a, leading to the production of four independent cleaning portions per lamella, as illustrated in FIG. 5b. Thanks to such a characteristic, the flexible cleaning elements 16 are able to adapt even more to the details of the dentition when brushing the teeth.
[0050] Les figures 6 et 7 représentent des vues simplifiées, respectivement en perspective et en coupe selon un plan de coupe médian vertical longitudinal, d'une variante de réalisation supplémentaire de la brosse à dents 1 , plus spécifiquement d'une manière alternative de réaliser son organe nettoyant 14. [0050] Figures 6 and 7 show simplified views, respectively in perspective and in section according to a longitudinal vertical median section plane, of an additional alternative embodiment of the toothbrush 1, more specifically of an alternative way of achieve its cleansing organ 14.
[0051] La variante de réalisation des figures 6 et 7 diffère essentiellement des variantes précédentes par le fait que l'organe nettoyant 14 présente une étendue limitée suivant le plan général de la base 12. En effet, l'organe nettoyant 14 présente ici un nombre limité d'éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 agencés sur la portion de la périphérie de la base 12 située à proximité du manche 2. Ces éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 sont alors combinés à des éléments flexibles nettoyants supplémentaires 116 de type plus conventionnel, par exemple des brins en nylon, dont une extrémité est rendue solidaire de la base 12 de toute manière connue et adaptée. Dans ce cas, il est préférable que les éléments flexibles nettoyants supplémentaires 116 soient directement rendus solidaires de la base 12, du fait de la rigidité de cette dernière garantissant une meilleure tenue des éléments flexibles nettoyants 116 que s'ils étaient insérés dans une portion compressible de la tête 4, notamment dans une portion intermédiaire 44 de l'organe nettoyant 14, comme décrit en relation avec les variantes précédentes. The variant embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 differs essentially from the previous variants in that the cleaning member 14 has a limited extent along the general plane of the base 12. Indeed, the cleaning member 14 here has a limited number of flexible cleaning elements 16 arranged on the portion of the periphery of the base 12 located close to the handle 2. These flexible cleaning elements 16 are then combined with additional flexible cleaning elements 116 of a more conventional type, for example nylon, one end of which is secured to the base 12 in any known and suitable manner. In this case, it is preferable that the additional flexible cleaning elements 116 be made directly integral with the base 12, the fact of the rigidity of the latter guaranteeing a better hold of the flexible cleaning elements 116 than if they were inserted in a compressible portion of the head 4, in particular in an intermediate portion 44 of the cleaning member 14, as described in relation to the previous variants.
[0052] La variante de réalisation des figures 6 et 7 a été représentée, de manière illustrative non limitative, sans la présence d'une dérivation 38. En effet, selon la variante illustrée, le premier canal d'ancrage 36a communique directement avec le trou 34 et la région de la portion d'ancrage 42 qui est située dans ce canal d'ancrage 36a, en regard du trou 34, définit directement la butée de stabilisation 46. The variant embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 has been shown, in a non-limiting illustrative manner, without the presence of a bypass 38. Indeed, according to the variant illustrated, the first anchoring channel 36a communicates directly with the hole 34 and the region of the anchoring portion 42 which is located in this anchoring channel 36a, facing the hole 34, directly defines the stabilization abutment 46.
[0053] On pourrait aussi prévoir, en option et en fonction des matériaux retenus pour réaliser la base 12 et l'organe nettoyant 14, que la base 12 comprenne un ou plusieurs canaux d'ancrage supplémentaires (non visibles) pour améliorer la tenue de l'organe nettoyant 14 sur la base 12, notamment en en garantissant une bonne homogénéité sur toute l'étendue de l'organe nettoyant 14 dans le plan général de la base 12. [0053] Provision could also be made, as an option and depending on the materials used to make the base 12 and the cleaning member 14, for the base 12 to include one or more additional anchoring channels (not visible) to improve the holding of the cleaning member 14 on the base 12, in particular by guaranteeing good homogeneity over the entire extent of the cleaning member 14 in the general plane of the base 12.
[0054] Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la variante des figures 6 et 7 permet d'obtenir les avantages de la présente invention tels que présentés plus haut tout en combinant deux types différents d'éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 et 116. Thanks to these characteristics, the variant of Figures 6 and 7 makes it possible to obtain the advantages of the present invention as presented above while combining two different types of flexible cleaning elements 16 and 116.
[0055] Pour ce qui est de la fabrication de la brosse à dents 1 , divers types de matériaux biocompatibles peuvent être utilisés pour les différents composants sans sortir du cadre de l'invention tel que défini par les revendications annexées. As regards the manufacture of the toothbrush 1, various types of biocompatible materials can be used for the various components without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0056] Pour ce qui concerne le manche 2, il pourra par exemple être réalisé en métal (acier inoxydable, or, etc...), ou en fibres de carbone. Le manche peut présenter une épaisseur constante ou non, notamment avec une portion de liaison 8 qui présente une épaisseur de l'ordre de 2,5 à 5mm lorsque le manche est en acier inoxydable. La languette de stabilisation 22 pourra présenter des côtés (comme visibles sur la vue de la figure 2) mesurant par exemple environ 2 à 3mm chacun, et une épaisseur du même ordre de grandeur que celle de la portion de liaison 8. [0057] Pour ce qui concerne la tête 4, sa base rigide 12 peut être réalisée en tout matériau présentant une rigidité suffisante, par exemple un matériau thermoplastique (ABS), une résine pour permettre sa fabrication par impression 3D, un bois, un métal, du carbone, etc... L'organe nettoyant 14 peut être réalisé en tout matériau présentant une élasticité suffisante, par exemple un élastomère, comme du caoutchouc, du TPE ou du silicone. Au moins les éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 peuvent être chargés en microparticules abrasives pour augmenter leur résistance à l'usure voire leur pouvoir abrasif. De manière générale, on pourra prévoir que les éléments flexibles nettoyants 16 présentent une hauteur inférieure ou égale à 10mm environ, pour limiter leur déformation en cours de brossage de dents. As regards the handle 2, it may for example be made of metal (stainless steel, gold, etc.), or carbon fibers. The handle may or may not have a constant thickness, in particular with a connecting portion 8 which has a thickness of the order of 2.5 to 5 mm when the handle is made of stainless steel. The stabilization tab 22 may have sides (as visible in the view of Figure 2) measuring for example approximately 2 to 3 mm each, and a thickness of the same order of magnitude as that of the connecting portion 8. As regards the head 4, its rigid base 12 can be made of any material having sufficient rigidity, for example a thermoplastic material (ABS), a resin to allow its manufacture by 3D printing, a wood, a metal , carbon, etc. The cleaning member 14 can be made of any material having sufficient elasticity, for example an elastomer, such as rubber, TPE or silicone. At least the flexible cleaning elements 16 can be loaded with abrasive microparticles to increase their wear resistance or even their abrasive power. In general, provision may be made for the flexible cleaning elements 16 to have a height less than or equal to approximately 10 mm, to limit their deformation during brushing of the teeth.
[0058] Grâce aux caractéristiques qui viennent d'être décrites, il est possible de réaliser une brosse à dents écoresponsable du fait que son manche soit réutilisable de manière indéfinie dans le temps, seule la tête nécessitant un remplacement périodique. En outre, la tête de brosse à dents selon l'invention peut être fabriquée de manière relativement simple, éventuellement en grande série, tout en présentant des propriétés optimales pour assurer un brossage de dents efficace. Enfin, on pourra également relever que, grâce à leurs caractéristiques et aux matériaux utilisables pour leur réalisation, le manche et la tête de la brosse à dents selon la présente invention peuvent avantageusement être stérilisés à la vapeur d'eau. Thanks to the characteristics which have just been described, it is possible to produce an eco-responsible toothbrush because its handle is reusable indefinitely over time, only the head requiring periodic replacement. In addition, the toothbrush head according to the invention can be manufactured in a relatively simple manner, possibly in large series, while having optimal properties for ensuring effective toothbrushing. Finally, it may also be noted that, thanks to their characteristics and to the materials that can be used for their production, the handle and the head of the toothbrush according to the present invention can advantageously be sterilized with steam.

Claims

Revendications Claims
1. Tête (4) de brosse à dents (1), comportant une base (12), rigide et allongée, comprenant deux faces principales (24, 26) reliées l'une à l'autre par une paroi périphérique (28) présentant deux crans (32) destinés à coopérer avec un manche (2) de brosse à dents, pour assembler la tête (4) à ce dernier de manière amovible, ladite base (12) comprenant également un trou (34), à l'une de ses extrémités, débouchant dans ladite paroi périphérique (28) et destiné à recevoir une languette de stabilisation (22) portée par le manche (2) de brosse à dents, et un organe nettoyant (14) solidaire de ladite base (12) et comprenant une pluralité d'éléments flexibles nettoyants (16), caractérisée en ce que ladite base (12) comporte un premier canal (36a) présentant une entrée dans l'une desdites faces principales (24) et communiquant avec ledit trou (34), en ce que ledit organe nettoyant (14) est déformable de manière élastique et est réalisé d'un seul bloc par surmoulage d'au moins une partie de ladite base (12) incluant l'entrée dudit premier canal (36a), et en ce que ledit organe nettoyant (14) comprend une première portion d'ancrage (42) agencée dans ledit premier canal (36a) et définissant une butée de stabilisation (46) positionnée dans le prolongement dudit trou (34), ou au moins partiellement à l'intérieur dudit trou (34), de manière à pouvoir être comprimée par la languette de stabilisation (22) lorsque la tête (4) est assemblée au manche (2). 1. Head (4) of toothbrush (1), comprising a base (12), rigid and elongated, comprising two main faces (24, 26) connected to each other by a peripheral wall (28) having two notches (32) intended to cooperate with a toothbrush handle (2), to assemble the head (4) to the latter in a removable manner, said base (12) also comprising a hole (34), at one of its ends, opening into said peripheral wall (28) and intended to receive a stabilization tab (22) carried by the handle (2) of the toothbrush, and a cleaning member (14) integral with said base (12) and comprising a plurality of flexible cleaning elements (16), characterized in that said base (12) comprises a first channel (36a) having an entrance in one of said main faces (24) and communicating with said hole (34), in that said cleaning member (14) is elastically deformable and is produced in a single block by overmolding at least a part of said base (12) including the inlet of said first channel (36a), and in that that said cleaning member (14) comprises a first anchoring portion (42) arranged in said first channel (36a) and defining a stabilization stop (46) positioned in the extension of said hole (34), or at least partially inside said hole (34), so as to be able to be compressed by the stabilizing tab (22) when the head (4) is assembled to the handle (2).
2. Tête (4) selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que ledit premier canal (36a) présente une sortie débouchant dans l'autre (26) desdites faces principales, et en ce que ladite première portion d'ancrage (42) relie lesdites faces principales (24, 26) l'une à l'autre. 2. Head (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first channel (36a) has an outlet opening into the other (26) of said main faces, and in that said first anchoring portion (42) connects said main faces (24, 26) to each other.
3. Tête (4) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que ledit premier canal (36a) comprend une portion principale, s'étendant suivant une direction essentiellement parallèle à l'enveloppe de ladite paroi périphérique (28), et une dérivation (38), s'étendant depuis ladite portion principale jusqu'audit trou (34) pour définir ladite butée de stabilisation (46). Tête (4) selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que ladite dérivation (38) présente une section transversale plus petite que celle dudit trou (34) pour définir un épaulement au fond de ce dernier, et en ce que ladite butée de stabilisation (46) est au moins partiellement agencée à l'intérieur dudit trou (34) en appui contre ledit épaulement. Tête (4) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ladite base (12) comporte une pluralité de canaux (36) supplémentaires, d'ancrage, reliant lesdites faces principales (24, 26) l'une à l'autre, et dont chacun est rempli par une portion d'ancrage (42) supplémentaire dudit organe nettoyant (14). Tête (4) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que chacune desdites faces principales (24, 26) est au moins partiellement surmoulée par ledit organe nettoyant (14). Tête (4) selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que ladite paroi périphérique (28) présente une hauteur moyenne légèrement supérieure à la distance moyenne séparant lesdites faces principales (24, 26) l'une de l'autre, de telle manière que lesdites faces principales (24, 26) soient situées en léger retrait par rapport à ladite paroi périphérique (28) suivant la direction de l'épaisseur de la tête (4). Tête (4) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins une partie desdits éléments flexibles nettoyants (16) est réalisée sous la forme de lamelles généralement orientées suivant une direction sensiblement transversale à la direction longitudinale de ladite base (12). Tête (4) selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins certaines desdites lamelles sont légèrement incurvées suivant leur direction longitudinale. Tête (4) selon la revendication 8 ou 9, caractérisée en ce qu'au moins certaines desdites lamelles présentent n découpes, réparties de manière sensiblement régulière suivant leur longueur, définissant n+1 portions nettoyantes susceptibles de se déformer indépendamment les unes des autres, n étant compris entre 1 et 10. Tête (4) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'une gorge (30) est ménagée dans ladite paroi périphérique (28) de 18 ladite base (12), ladite gorge (30) s'étendant de part et d'autre de l'extrémité de ladite base (12) comportant ledit trou (34), suivant au moins la moitié de la longueur de ladite base (12), et en ce que lesdits crans (32) sont ménagés au fond de ladite gorge (30).3. Head (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first channel (36a) comprises a main portion, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the envelope of said peripheral wall (28), and a branch (38), extending from said main portion to said hole (34) to define said stabilization stop (46). Head (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that said derivation (38) has a smaller cross-section than that of said hole (34) to define a shoulder at the bottom of the latter, and in that said stabilization stop ( 46) is at least partially arranged inside said hole (34) resting against said shoulder. Head (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (12) comprises a plurality of additional anchoring channels (36) connecting said main faces (24, 26) to one another. another, and each of which is filled with an additional anchoring portion (42) of said cleaning member (14). Head (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the said main faces (24, 26) is at least partially overmolded by the said cleaning member (14). Head (4) according to claim 6, characterized in that said peripheral wall (28) has an average height slightly greater than the average distance separating said main faces (24, 26) from each other, such that said main faces (24, 26) are located slightly set back relative to said peripheral wall (28) in the direction of the thickness of the head (4). Head (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the said flexible cleaning elements (16) is produced in the form of strips generally oriented in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the said base ( 12). Head (4) according to Claim 8, characterized in that at least some of the said strips are slightly curved in their longitudinal direction. Head (4) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that at least some of the said lamellae have n cutouts, distributed in a substantially regular manner along their length, defining n+1 cleaning portions capable of deforming independently of each other, n being between 1 and 10. Head (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a groove (30) is formed in the said peripheral wall (28) of 18 said base (12), said groove (30) extending on either side of the end of said base (12) having said hole (34), along at least half the length of said base ( 12), and in that said notches (32) are provided at the bottom of said groove (30).
12. Tête (4) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit organe nettoyant (14) comprend une poche vide (48) allongée s'étendant suivant au moins un tiers de la longueur de ladite base (12) de manière à remplir un rôle de suspension. 12. Head (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cleaning member (14) comprises an empty pocket (48) elongated extending along at least one third of the length of said base (12) of so as to fulfill a suspending role.
13. Tête (4) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 11 , caractérisée en ce que ledit organe nettoyant (14) comprend au moins des première et deuxième poches vides (50) agencées symétriquement en référence à un plan médian de ladite tête (4) sensiblement perpendiculaire auxdites faces principales (24, 26) ou dans le prolongement l'une de l'autre suivant la direction longitudinale de ladite base (12), en étant séparées l'une de l'autre par une membrane (52) flexible réalisée d'une pièce avec ledit organe nettoyant (14). 13. Head (4) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said cleaning member (14) comprises at least first and second empty pockets (50) arranged symmetrically with reference to a median plane of said head ( 4) substantially perpendicular to said main faces (24, 26) or in the extension of each other along the longitudinal direction of said base (12), being separated from each other by a membrane (52) hose made in one piece with said cleaning member (14).
14. Manche (2) de brosse à dents (1) destiné à coopérer avec une tête (4) de brosse à dents selon l'une des revendications 1 à 13, comportant une poignée (6) prolongée à une extrémité par une portion de liaison (8), elle-même prolongée par une fourche (10) à deux bras, dont chaque bras est pourvu d'une dent (20) destinée à coopérer avec un cran (32) de la tête (4), et comprenant une languette de stabilisation (22) agencée dans le prolongement de ladite portion de liaison (8), entre lesdits bras de ladite fourche (10), et destinée à être insérée dans le trou (34) de la tête (4). 14. Handle (2) of toothbrush (1) intended to cooperate with a head (4) of toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a handle (6) extended at one end by a portion of connection (8), itself extended by a fork (10) with two arms, each arm of which is provided with a tooth (20) intended to cooperate with a notch (32) of the head (4), and comprising a stabilization tab (22) arranged in the extension of said connecting portion (8), between said arms of said fork (10), and intended to be inserted into the hole (34) of the head (4).
15. Brosse à dents (1) comportant une tête (4) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 13 et un manche (2) selon la revendication 14. 15. Toothbrush (1) comprising a head (4) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and a handle (2) according to claim 14.
PCT/EP2022/081670 2021-11-15 2022-11-11 Removable toothbrush head and toothbrush having such a head WO2023084051A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202280074792.XA CN118401146A (en) 2021-11-15 2022-11-11 Removable toothbrush head and toothbrush comprising such a head
EP22818226.7A EP4432880A1 (en) 2021-11-15 2022-11-11 Removable toothbrush head and toothbrush having such a head

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21208239.0 2021-11-15
EP21208239.0A EP4179918A1 (en) 2021-11-15 2021-11-15 Detachable toothbrush head and toothbrush comprising such a head

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4683604A (en) * 1985-03-26 1987-08-04 Rueb Fritz A Toothbrush with exchangeable bristle carrier
FR2595221A1 (en) 1986-03-04 1987-09-11 Msellati Guy Mouth-care kit with interchangeable elements
US5224234A (en) 1990-01-22 1993-07-06 Arsenault Jeffrey L Toothbrush with replaceable bristles
US20210161282A1 (en) * 2019-12-03 2021-06-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4683604A (en) * 1985-03-26 1987-08-04 Rueb Fritz A Toothbrush with exchangeable bristle carrier
FR2595221A1 (en) 1986-03-04 1987-09-11 Msellati Guy Mouth-care kit with interchangeable elements
US5224234A (en) 1990-01-22 1993-07-06 Arsenault Jeffrey L Toothbrush with replaceable bristles
US20210161282A1 (en) * 2019-12-03 2021-06-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement

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CN118401146A (en) 2024-07-26
EP4179918A1 (en) 2023-05-17
EP4432880A1 (en) 2024-09-25

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