GB2197203A

GB2197203A - Tooth cleaning implement

Info

Publication number: GB2197203A
Application number: GB08626320A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Thomas Bullock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-11-04
Filing date: 1986-11-04
Publication date: 1988-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2006-11-04
Also published as: GB2197203B; GB8626320D0

Abstract

A tooth cleaning implement 1 comprises an elongate handle 2 provided at one end with a cleaning head 3 which is formed from an absorbent, resilient foamed material. The cleaning head may be removably and/or rotatably mounted on the elongate handle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to a tooth cleaning implement THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a tooth cleaning implement and more particularly to a tooth cleaning implement for use in a human or animal mouth.

Prior art tooth cleaning implements have tended to be in the form of brushes. Toothbrushes have been provided with bristles of varying hardness and whilst the brush provides a good cleaning effect when new bristles do become worn down and deformed.

This wearing down and deformation of the bristles detracts from the effectiveness of the brush and in particular may prevent the bristles from cleaning in the small gaps between teeth. Furthermore bristles may become removed from the handle of the brush which may result in a bristle being trapped between teeth. One major disadvantage of toothbrushes is that the bristles of the brush have a scratching action when used, which whilst being useful for the removal of plaque from teeth tends to scratch the gums. This scratching of the gums can be extremely painful and may cause bleeding.

Other teeth cleaning implements are available, such as toothpicks and dental floss for cleaning the gaps between teeth, but again these can be painful on the gums and may result in bleeding.

The present invention seeks to provide a tooth cleaning implement which will adequately clean teeth and which will not be painful on the gums.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tooth cleaning implement comprising an elongate body portion constituting a handle for gripping said implement and a cleaning head provided adjacent one end of said handle, said head being formed from an absorbent, resilient foamed material.

Preferably, said head is rotatably mounted on said handle.

The head may be pre-impregnated with dentifrice and may be removably mounted on said handle.

Conveniently, said head is mounted on said handle by means of a projection on one of the components engaging within a corresponding recess within the other of the components.

For example, said projection may be provided on said head in the form of an upstanding projection, which engages in a correspondingly shaped recess provided in said handle. Advantageously, said projection is circular and is provided with a circular lip which engages with a snap-fitting action in a corresponding groove provided in said recess. when said projection is inserted into said recess. As a further example the head may comprise two portions interconnected in spaced apart relationship by a pin, said pin being dimensioned to be received in a substantially keyhole shaped slit in the handle with a snap fitting action.

Alternatively, said projection may be provided on said handle and pass through a bore in said head, said head being retained on said projection by means of a plate which is attachable to the free end of said projection.

In an alternative embodiment of implement in accordance with the present invention said handle is bifurcated at one end and said head is mounted between the two prongs of the bifurcated handle.

In this particular embodiment the head may be mounted on said handle by means of a pin passing through the head and engaging each prong of the bifurcated handle.

In either of these two embodiments of the present invention said head may be of substantially circular configuration.

In a further embodiment of implement according to the present invention the handle further comprises a circular wheel adjacent one end thereof and said head is in the form of an annular ring or tyre mountable on said wheel.

In this arrangement the wheel may either be formed integrally with the handle or as a separate component with the wheel being mounted on the handle by means of a projection on one end of the components engaging within a corresponding recess in the other of the components.

In any embodiment of the present invention the head may be formed from a synthetic foamed plastics material.

The handle may be formed from a suitable plastics material and may be moulded such as to provide a comfortable grip.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of cleaning teeth for cosmetic purposes using an implement according to said first aspect of the present invention.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and so that the further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will no be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tooth cleaning implement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tooth cleaning implement of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is an underneath view of the tooth cleaning implement of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a tooth cleaning implement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is an underneath view of part of a further embodiment of a tooth cleaning implement in accordance with the present invention;; Figures 6 and 7 show alternative methods of interconnecting components of a tooth cleaning implement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 is a view showing part of the tooth cleaning implement when the implement is being used; Figure 9 is a side elevation of a further embodiment of tooth cleaning implement of the present invention; Figure 10 is a plan view of the tooth cleaning implement of Fig. 9; Figures 77 to 13 show a further embodiment of a tooth cleaning implement in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 14 to 18 correspond to Figs. 2, 6, 7, 9, and 10 respectively and show modified arrangements of tooth cleaning implements for use with a particular cleaning head.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows, in perspective view, a tooth cleaning implement 1 comprising an elongate body 2 provided at one end with a cleaning head 3.

The body 2 constitutes a handle for the tooth cleaning implement and may be of similar design to a handle of a conventional toothbrush. The handle 2 may, for example, be formed from a plastics material and may be moulded with appropriate indentations or projections such as the projection 4 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in order to offer a comfortable grip on the handle. The end of the handle 2 which is remote from the cleaning head 3 may be provided with a thoroughgoing bore 5 such that the tooth cleaning implement can be hung up when not in use. Means are provided at the end of the handle 2 adjacent the cleaning head 3 for interconnecting the handle with the head. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the handle 2 is provided at the end adjacent the head 3 with a projecting boss 6.The boss 6 may be of any suitable shape and is intended to engage within a correspondingly shaped recess 7 provided in the head 3.

The head 3 is the part of the tooth cleaning implement which will effect cleaning of the teeth. The head 3 may be formed from any suitable foamed material, for example, an open or closed cell foamed plastics material. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the head 3 has the configuration of a planar circular disc and is attached to the handle 2 by a simple press-fit connection between the boss 6 and the recess 7.

The head 3 of the cleaning implement 1 may be of any suitable configuration and Figs.

4 and 5 show alternative shaped heads. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a tooth cleaning implement provided with a dome-shaped head and Fig. 5 is an underneath view of the head-end of a tooth cleaning implement provided with a daisy-shaped cleaning head 3. The daisyshaped cleaning head 3 is useful in cleaning the gaps between teeth, since the projecting portions of the daisy shape will be forced into the gaps between adjacent teeth.

The interconnection between the handle 2 and the head 3 of the cleaning implement may be any suitable interconnection, and as previously mentioned may be in the form of a simple press-fitting engagement between a projection on one component and a recess provided in the other component. Alternatively, the head 3 may be simply affixed to the handle 2 by means of a suitable adhesive. The head 3 may also be rotatably mounted on the handle 3 and Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate two alternative methods of rotatably mounting the head 3 on the handle 2. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 6, the head 3 is provided with an integrally formed circular projection 8, the circular projection 8 being provided with a peripheral, circular lip 9.In this arrangement the handle 2 is formed with a recess 10 corresponding in shape to the projection 8 with circular lip 9, such that the projection may be inserted into the recess with the circular lip 9 engaging in a corresponding groove 11 provided in the recess 10. Thus the head 3 will now be free to rotate, whilst being held in position on the handle 2 by the engagement of the circular lip 9 within the groove 11. In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 7, the handle 2 is provided with a projection 12 which may pass through a bore 13 provided in the head 3 and to which a flattened, circular plate 14 may be attached in order to retain the head 3 in position. The circular plate 14 may sit in a correpondingly shaped recess provided in the head 3 so that its surface is flush with the surface of the head 3.

Fig. 8 illustrates how the resilience of the material from which the head 3 is formed will allow the head to be deformed in order to conform with the shape or configuration of teeth which are to be cleaned. In use the head 3 of the implement may be rubbed against the outer surface of the teeth in a conventional manner. The device may be moistened before use, and if not impregnated with dentifrice may have dentifrice or the like applied thereto. The absorbency of the material from which the head 3 is formed will allow it to absorb water which may then be forced out of the material, by pressing the head of the implement firmly against the teeth, the water squirting through any gaps between adjacent teeth as illustrated in Fig. 8 when the material is deformed. Thus the tooth cleaning implement with effect cleaning of the outer surfaces of the teeth as well as cleaning any gaps between adjacent teeth. The rotary motion of the head 3 relative to the handle 2, as illustrated by arrow 15 in Fig. 8, will ensure equal wearing of the entire outer surface of the head 3 such that one side of the head des not become excessively worn or flattened.

The head 3 may be pre-impregnated with dentifrice and the implement may be provided as a throwaway pack, where the implement is intended to be used once only. The implement may, of course, be used for cleaning dentures or artifical teeth outside the mouth.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a second embodiment of tooth cleaning implement 1 in accordance with the present invention. Again the implement comprises a body which constitutes a handle 2 and a cleaning head 3. In this embodiment of the invention the handle 2 is bifurcated at one end and the head 3 is rotatably mounted between two prongs 16 of the handle 2. The head 3 is mounted in position by means of a pin 17 extending through the head 3 and engaging the prongs 16. The pin 17 may be provided with a bushing 18 which is located in a central bore 19 provided in the head 3. Again the head 3 of the embodiment of implement illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 may be of any desired shape or configuration.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 may be used in exactly the same manner as the embodiment described hereinbefore.

Figs. 11 to 13 illustrate a further embodiment of tooth cleaning implement 1, Fig. 11 being a side elevation and Fig. 12 being a plan view. The implement has a handle 2 and a cleaning head 3. The handle 2 is illustrated most clearly in Fig. 13 and is provided with a narrow slit 19 in the centre of a flattened portion 20 adjacent one end of the handle.

The slit 19 extends inwardly from the end of the handle and is generally of keyhole configuration. The cleaning head 3 is in the form of two spaced apart hemispheres formed from a foam material, the two hemispheres being interconnected by a pin 21. The pin 21 is dimensioned to be received in the circular portion of the keyhole shaped slit 19, the resilience of the material from which the handle 2 is formed allowing the slit to be prised apart so that the pin may pass through the straight, narrow portion of the slit. This arrangement allows the head 3 to be removed and replaced when it has become worn down. The head 3 may have a shape other than that of two hemispheres.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 11 and 13 may be used in the same manner as the previously described embodiments.

Figs. 14 to 18 correspond to Figs. 2, 6, 7, 9 and 10 respectively and show the arrangements of the drawings when modified for use with a foam cleaning head 3 in the form of an annular ring or tyre.

Fig. 14 shows a cross-section through an embodiment of a tooth cleaning implement 1 having a handle 2 provided at one end with an integrally formed, circular "wheel" 22. The rim of the wheel 22 is shaped to correspond to the outer configuration of the cleaning head 3 which is in the form of a circular section ring or tyre. The head 3 is dimensioned to be a snug fit on the wheel 22 so that it will not become removed from the wheel 22 when in use, but so that it may be removed and replaced when it becomes worn. In this arrangement the head 3 will not be free to rotate.

Fig. 15 corresponds to Fig. 6 with the difference that the circular projection 8 is formed integrally with a wheel 22 which is shaped to receive a foam head in the form of circularsection ring or tyre. Fig. 1 5 illustrates the arrangement with-the cleaning head 3 removed.

Similarly Fig. 16 corresponds to Fig. 7 and in this embodiment a wheel 22 is mounted on the projection 12 and retained in position by the circular plate 14, the wheel 22 being shaped to receive the tyre-like cleaning head.

Figs. 17 and 18 correspond to Figs. 9 and 10 and show a similar arrangement where a wheel 22 is mounted on a pin or axle 17 which engages in a keyhole-shaped slit 23 in the end of the bifurcated handle 2. The pin 17 is dimensioned to be received in the circular portion of the keyhole slit 23, the resilience of the material of the handle 2 allowing the pin to be forced through the straight, narrow portion of the slit. The wheel 22 is shaped to receive the tyre-like cleaning head 3. Fig. 17 illustrates the arrangement with the cleaning head 3 in position on the wheel 22, whilst Fig. 18 illustrates the arrangement in plan view with the head 3 removed.

It will be appreciated that the arrangements of Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 18 all allow the head 3 to rotate relative to the handle 2. These arrangements also permit the head 3 to be removed from the wheel 22 and replaced as necessary.

It will be appreciated that many modifications and alterations may be made to the above described embodiments of tooth cleaning implement without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, numerous modifications to the size and shape of either the handle or the head of the cleaning implement may be made. Furthermore the interconnection between the handle 2 and the head 3 of the implement may be of any suitable design and may, for example, may be such that the head 3 can execute a swiveling as well as a rotary motion relative to the handle 2. Heads 3 for the implement may be provided in a variety of hardnesses to accommodate the differing requirements of the user.

It will be appreciated that where the head 3 is to be removably mounted on the handle 2, the head 3 may be offered for sale as a separate or replacement component.

Claims

1. A tooth cleaning implement comprising an elongate body portion constituting a handle for gripping said implement and a cleaning head provided adjacent one end of said handle, said head being formed from an absorbent, resilient foamed material.

2. An implement according to Claim 1, wherein said head is rotatably mounted on said handle.

3. An implement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said head is pre-impregnated with dentifrice.

4. An implement according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said head is removably mounted on said handle.

5. An implement according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said head is mounted on said handle by means of a projection on one of the components engaging within a corresponding recess within the other of the components.

6. An implement according to Claim 5, wherein said projection is provided on said head and is in the form of an upstanding projection, which engages in a correspondingly shaped recess provided in said handle.

7. An implement according to Claim 6, wherein said projection is circular and is provided with a circular lip which engagess with a snap-fitting action in a corresponding groove provided in said recess when said projection is inserted into said recess.

8. An implement according to Claim 6, wherein said head comprises two portions interconnected in spaced apart relationship, by a pin, said pin being dimensioned to be received in a substantially keyhole shaped slit in said handle with a snap fitting action.

9. An implement according to Claim 5, wherein said projection is provided on said handle and passes through a bore in said head, said head being retained on said projection by means of a plate which is attachable to the free end of said projection.

10. An implement according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said handle is bifurcated at one end and said head is mounted between the two prongs of the bifurcated handle.

11. An implement according to Claim 10, wherein said head is mounted on said handle by means of a pin passing through the head and engaging each prong of the bifurcated handle.

12. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said head is of substantially circular configuration.

13. An implement according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said handle further comprises a circular wheel adjacent one end thereof and said head is in the form of an annular ring or tyre mountable on said wheel.

14. An implement according to Claim 13, wherein said wheel is formed integrally with said handle.

15. An implement according to Claim 13, wherein said wheel and said handle are sepa rate components, said wheel being mounted on said handle by means of a projection on one of the components engaging within a cor responding recess in the other of the compo nents.

16. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said head is formed from a synthetic foamed plastics material.

17. An implement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle is formed from a suitable plastics material and is moulded such as to provide a comfortable grip.

18. A method of cleaning teeth for cosmetic purposes using an implement according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. A tooth cleaning implement substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosd herein.