WO1994009675A1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents
Toothbrush Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994009675A1 WO1994009675A1 PCT/GB1993/002283 GB9302283W WO9409675A1 WO 1994009675 A1 WO1994009675 A1 WO 1994009675A1 GB 9302283 W GB9302283 W GB 9302283W WO 9409675 A1 WO9409675 A1 WO 9409675A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- handle
- toothbrush according
- toothbrush
- neck
- groove
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
- A46B5/002—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
- A46B5/0054—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body
- A46B5/0062—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body being flexible or resilient during use
- A46B5/0066—Flexible resilience by elastic deformation of the material
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
- A46B5/002—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
- A46B5/0054—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body
- A46B5/0062—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body being flexible or resilient during use
-
- 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
- This invention relates to toothbrushes and is particularly concerned with a toothbrush having a flexible neck.
- Toothbrushes with flexible necks are already known, the flexible necks either being in the form of a resillently deformable region, as described in EP-A-0336641 and US-A-4520526, or including a snap-action mechanism, as described in EP-A-0281017, whereby the head of the toothbrush can be disposed angularly relative to the handle of the brush.
- the purpose of these brushes is to compensate for poor brushing techniques which have detrimental effects on oral hygiene as significant as negligence of oral hygiene.
- Flexible necks not only allow the user easily to reach awkward areas of the mouth without causing discomfort, but also help to maintain a steady, relatively uniform pressure on teeth by bending to take up any excess brushing pressure.
- a uniform brushing pressure is beneficial in that excess pressure can cause wear or loosening of the teeth and abrasion of the gums, causing them to bleed and leading to gingivitis, periodontal disease and ultimately to tooth loss.
- the known flexible-necked toothbrushes are flexible in one direction only, that is, backwards and forwards relative to the teeth being brushed, and this does not fully overcome the problems of reaching awkward areas of the mouth and of applying adequate pressure to the teeth, without causing discomfort to the user.
- One awkward area is the gum margin, particularly behind the front teeth, where a certain amount of lateral flexibility, and even twistability, of the neck of a brush would be advantageous in that it would minimise any peaks of pressure on the teeth and gums during brushing and would thus reduce abrasion of the teeth and gums.
- the object of the invention is to provide a toothbrush with a neck which is capable of flexing in any transverse direction relative to the handle, and possibly also of twisting, so as to achieve the maximum reduction of peaks in pressure exerted on the teeth by the user during brushing.
- the invention provides a toothbrush having a handle and a head interconnected by a neck with a resiliently flexible portion, in which at least the neck portion has a helical formation around a central core.
- the core is preferably substantially cylindrical or of substantially square cross-section.
- a helical formation such as a groove
- the central core confers a certain amount of rigidity to the helical portion of the neck and ensures that, in use, at least some of the pressure applied by the user is transmitted to the head of the brush and hence to the teeth.
- the resilience of the helical portion and its core is such that they can be bent to enable the head of the brush to reach awkward areas of the mouth and can yield to prevent tooth or gum damage when the user applies excess brushing pressure to the handle.
- the resilience of the helical portion also reduces the pressure transmitted to the bristles and hence prolongs the efficient life of the toothbrush.
- the helical portion also has the effect of distributing the flexing movement evenly throughout the length of the neck portion, rather than concentrating movement at one or more discrete locations as in certain known toothbrushes, which tends to create zones of weakness.
- the body of the toothbrush that is, the handle, the neck with the helical portion and the head excluding the bristles, is preferably made in one piece from a plastics material which can be readily extruded or moulded in one piece with the helical portion.
- the helical portion may be formed later, for example, by machining.
- the helical portion is preferably confined to the neck portion of the toothbrush but may extend to the handle, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the handle and hence the comfort to the user.
- the handle and the neck may be effectively constituted by a continuous helically-formed portion of the toothbrush extending from the head to the distal part of the handle thereof.
- Figure 1 is a plan view of a toothbrush according to one embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 2 is a side view of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a side view of a toothbrush according to a second embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 4 is a side view of a toothbrush according to a third embodiment of the invention.
- a toothbrush according to the invention is generally indicated 1.
- the toothbrush 1 has a handle 2 and a head 4 which are interconnected by a neck 3.
- the handle 2, the neck 3 and the head 4 of the toothbrush 1 are moulded in one piece from a plastics material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
- the bristles (not shown) are then bonded to the head 4 of the brush 1 in conventional manner.
- the neck 3 includes a screw- or auger-like resiliently flexible portion 5 with a continuous, helical groove 6 around a central core 7.
- the core 7 is substantially cylindrical in the brushes 1 of Figures 1, 2 and 3 but is of substantially square cross-section (the square not necessarily being of constant orientation along the length of the portion 5) in the brush of Figure 4.
- the crests or ridges 8 between the turns of the helical groove 6 may be sharp as in Figures 1, 2 and 4 or rounded as in Figure 3.
- the helically grooved portion 5, 6 can flex to allow the head 4 of the brush to move in any transverse direction relative to the handle 2, for example in the directions indicated by the arrows A and B in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and/or can deform torsionally to allow the head 4 to twist relative to the handle 2, the portion 5 relaxing to return the head 4 to its normal position when the pressure is removed.
- the core 7 confers a certain amount of rigidity to the grooved portion 5, 6 so that it does not flex or deform too easily.
- the grooves 6 of the toothbrushes 1 of Figures 1, 2 and 3 are relatively deep and are defined by relatively tight helices, that is, helices of relatively fine pitch.
- the pitch of the helix is such that, when the head 4 of the brush 1 moves transversely relative to the handle 2 upon flexure of the grooved portions 5, 6, the crests or ridges 8 of the groove 6 facing in the direction of flexure and movement tend to move together slightly to limit the amount of flexure and hence of transverse movement, whereas the crests or ridges 8 facing in the opposite direction move apart correspondingly.
- the groove 6 of the toothbrush 1 of Figure 4 is relatively shallow and is defined by a relatively open helix, that is, a helix of relatively coarse pitch.
- the relative rigidity of the core 6 is more important than the moving together of the crests or ridges 8 of the groove 6 in limiting the transverse movement of the head 4 relative to the handle 2.
- the groove 6 closes up slightly, that is, the helix tends to contract axially, when the head 4 twists in one sense and the groove 6 opens up slightly, that is, the helix expands axially, when the head 4 twists in the opposite sense.
- the head 4 when pressure is applied to the toothbrush 1 by the user, the head 4 can move in any transverse direction relative to the handle 2 and can twist relative thereto, the helically grooved portion 5 deforming both to allow this movement and to dissipate any excess brushing pressure, thereby maintaining a sufficient, uniform pressure on the teeth and gums.
- the handle 2 of the brush 1 has grips 9 of rubber or a rubberised material on two opposite faces. These grips 9 may be incorporated in the handle 2 during extrusion or moulding or they may be applied to the handle as a coating.
- the neck 3 of the toothbrush 1 may be at an angle to the handle 2, as shown in Figure 2, or may be in line therewith, as shown in Figure 3.
- the head 4 of the brush 1 may be of a so-called compact size or of a standard size.
Landscapes
- Brushes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9508908A GB2286520B (en) | 1992-11-05 | 1993-11-04 | Toothbrush |
AU54269/94A AU5426994A (en) | 1992-11-05 | 1993-11-04 | Toothbrush |
DE69312081T DE69312081T2 (en) | 1992-11-05 | 1993-11-04 | TOOTHBRUSH |
EP93924706A EP0669812B1 (en) | 1992-11-05 | 1993-11-04 | Toothbrush |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9223214.9 | 1992-11-05 | ||
GB929223214A GB9223214D0 (en) | 1992-11-05 | 1992-11-05 | Toothbrush |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1994009675A1 true WO1994009675A1 (en) | 1994-05-11 |
Family
ID=10724607
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1993/002283 WO1994009675A1 (en) | 1992-11-05 | 1993-11-04 | Toothbrush |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0669812B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5426994A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69312081T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0669812T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2107057T3 (en) |
GB (2) | GB9223214D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994009675A1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5735012A (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 1998-04-07 | Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Resiliently flexible toothbrush |
US5784742A (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 1998-07-28 | Optiva Corporation | Toothbrush with adaptive load sensor |
US5815872A (en) * | 1997-08-08 | 1998-10-06 | Optiva Corporation | Pressure overload indicator system for power toothbrushes |
WO2000030494A1 (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2000-06-02 | M + C Schiffer Gmbh | Brush, especially a toothbrush |
US6276020B1 (en) * | 1992-09-01 | 2001-08-21 | Smithkline Beecham P.L.C. | Toothbrush structure |
US6883200B1 (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2005-04-26 | Heinrich Georg Euler | Tooth brush |
KR101128208B1 (en) | 2011-07-22 | 2012-03-22 | 노창현 | Toothbrush |
US20160113743A1 (en) * | 2014-10-23 | 2016-04-28 | Pau-Ling Lu | Interdental Brush with Adjustable Bending Angles |
WO2021012070A1 (en) * | 2019-07-19 | 2021-01-28 | 龙昌兄弟股份有限公司 | Toothbrush having improved grip handle |
WO2024106681A1 (en) * | 2022-11-16 | 2024-05-23 | 주식회사 아이투씨브릿지 | Toothbrush, mechanism for implementing provision of toothbrushing force of toothbrush, toothbrush operation method, and twist recovery mechanism apparatus |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2338648A (en) * | 1998-06-25 | 1999-12-29 | Sophia Basi | Cleaning device with resilient head mounting |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR536161A (en) * | 1921-02-28 | 1922-04-27 | Toothbrush enhancements | |
US2268488A (en) * | 1940-08-26 | 1941-12-30 | Keeys Murphy | Broom |
US4520526A (en) * | 1984-06-22 | 1985-06-04 | Peters Charles W | Resiliently flexible toothbrush |
WO1988003772A1 (en) * | 1986-11-29 | 1988-06-02 | Menadier Heilmittel Gmbh | Toothbrush |
EP0281017A1 (en) * | 1987-02-27 | 1988-09-07 | Blendax GmbH | Toothbrush |
EP0336641A2 (en) * | 1988-03-31 | 1989-10-11 | Lingner + Fischer GmbH | Toothbrush having a flexible handle |
-
1992
- 1992-11-05 GB GB929223214A patent/GB9223214D0/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-11-04 WO PCT/GB1993/002283 patent/WO1994009675A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1993-11-04 AU AU54269/94A patent/AU5426994A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-11-04 DK DK93924706T patent/DK0669812T3/en active
- 1993-11-04 GB GB9508908A patent/GB2286520B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-11-04 ES ES93924706T patent/ES2107057T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-11-04 EP EP93924706A patent/EP0669812B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-11-04 DE DE69312081T patent/DE69312081T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR536161A (en) * | 1921-02-28 | 1922-04-27 | Toothbrush enhancements | |
US2268488A (en) * | 1940-08-26 | 1941-12-30 | Keeys Murphy | Broom |
US4520526A (en) * | 1984-06-22 | 1985-06-04 | Peters Charles W | Resiliently flexible toothbrush |
WO1988003772A1 (en) * | 1986-11-29 | 1988-06-02 | Menadier Heilmittel Gmbh | Toothbrush |
EP0281017A1 (en) * | 1987-02-27 | 1988-09-07 | Blendax GmbH | Toothbrush |
EP0336641A2 (en) * | 1988-03-31 | 1989-10-11 | Lingner + Fischer GmbH | Toothbrush having a flexible handle |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6276020B1 (en) * | 1992-09-01 | 2001-08-21 | Smithkline Beecham P.L.C. | Toothbrush structure |
US6276019B1 (en) * | 1992-09-01 | 2001-08-21 | Smithkline Beecham, Plc | Toothbrush and method for making such toothbrush |
US5784742A (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 1998-07-28 | Optiva Corporation | Toothbrush with adaptive load sensor |
US5735012A (en) * | 1997-04-01 | 1998-04-07 | Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Division Of Conopco, Inc. | Resiliently flexible toothbrush |
US5815872A (en) * | 1997-08-08 | 1998-10-06 | Optiva Corporation | Pressure overload indicator system for power toothbrushes |
WO2000030494A1 (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2000-06-02 | M + C Schiffer Gmbh | Brush, especially a toothbrush |
US6883200B1 (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2005-04-26 | Heinrich Georg Euler | Tooth brush |
KR101128208B1 (en) | 2011-07-22 | 2012-03-22 | 노창현 | Toothbrush |
US20160113743A1 (en) * | 2014-10-23 | 2016-04-28 | Pau-Ling Lu | Interdental Brush with Adjustable Bending Angles |
WO2021012070A1 (en) * | 2019-07-19 | 2021-01-28 | 龙昌兄弟股份有限公司 | Toothbrush having improved grip handle |
WO2024106681A1 (en) * | 2022-11-16 | 2024-05-23 | 주식회사 아이투씨브릿지 | Toothbrush, mechanism for implementing provision of toothbrushing force of toothbrush, toothbrush operation method, and twist recovery mechanism apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0669812B1 (en) | 1997-07-09 |
DE69312081D1 (en) | 1997-08-14 |
GB2286520A (en) | 1995-08-23 |
ES2107057T3 (en) | 1997-11-16 |
GB9223214D0 (en) | 1992-12-16 |
AU5426994A (en) | 1994-05-24 |
EP0669812A1 (en) | 1995-09-06 |
DK0669812T3 (en) | 1998-02-16 |
GB2286520B (en) | 1996-07-24 |
GB9508908D0 (en) | 1995-06-21 |
DE69312081T2 (en) | 1998-02-05 |
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