WO2003001943A1 - Brosse a dents amelioree - Google Patents

Brosse a dents amelioree Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003001943A1
WO2003001943A1 PCT/IL2002/000522 IL0200522W WO03001943A1 WO 2003001943 A1 WO2003001943 A1 WO 2003001943A1 IL 0200522 W IL0200522 W IL 0200522W WO 03001943 A1 WO03001943 A1 WO 03001943A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bed
bristles
toothbrush
support
bristle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2002/000522
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ron Reisman
Gabriel Savin
Original Assignee
Medic.Nrg Ltd.
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 Medic.Nrg Ltd. filed Critical Medic.Nrg Ltd.
Publication of WO2003001943A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003001943A1/fr

Links

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
    • A46B3/20—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier the bristles being fixed or joined in rubber bodies, e.g. in soft rubber
    • 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 toothbrushes and in particular it is concerned with an improvement related to the toothbrush head.
  • Mouth hygiene in general and dental care in particular have become in the recent years a major issue and it has now long been realized that correct teeth brushing plays a great role in ensuring the health of the teeth and gums.
  • a conventional toothbrush has typically an essentially flat head portion and the bristles are secured thereto by different means, whereby it is assumed that bristles will penetrate between the teeth by the manual manipulation of the toothbrush imparted by the user or by forming the head of the toothbrush with several bristle tuft arrays which are in some way or another movable with respect to one another so as to assume different positions during a tooth brushing performance.
  • Many toothbrush heads are arranged such that the bristles are of uniform length which obviates their following the contour of the jaw of a person using it. After a short while, typically several months, the bristles deform, owing to the pressure applied thereto by the user.
  • toothbrushes are arranged such that the bristles are of different length and are adapted to improve penetration into the gaps between the teeth. Nevertheless, this arrangement provides a fixed contour of the brush which not only does not fit every individual, it differs at different locations when applied to the teeth.
  • US Patent No. 5,269,038 discloses a toothbrush which automatically provides an up/down stroking action in concert with a side-to-side stroke action as the toothbrush is manipulated in a brushing process.
  • the brush comprises two pairs of elongated bristle-carrying pads with the pads of each pair positioned side-by-side and the pairs of end-to-end.
  • Each pad is hinged to the pad-holding end of the brush with the hinge axis being angularly related to an elongate axis of the pad. Owing to the structure of this toothbrush, in use, the bristles are allowed to follow the contour of a tooth and to penetrate into the space between the tooth and the gums.
  • US Patent No. 5,991,959 discloses a toothbrush in which the head has a skeleton, a resilient member mounted on at least one type of the skeleton, tuft mounts in the skeleton and/or resilient member for receiving bristles, the resilient member bristle tuft being capable of toggling movement, the resilient member tuft mounts having an array of rigid receptacles or wells attached to the skeleton by a bridge hinge, characterized in that the bridge hinges are broken.
  • a toothbrush in accordance with this patent has the advantage of the head being repeatedly and resiliently movable in a multidirectional manner to provide more effective cleaning.
  • 5,839,149 discloses a toothbrush wherein the brush head comprises a flexible member formed with a bristle support portion and adapted for resilient flexure and is caused to change its shape between a flat position and a deformed position in which side arrays of bristles tufts incline towards a central array of bristle tufts.
  • the flexible member is deformable along an axis which is coaxial with elongate axis of the toothbrush handle and thus does not provide for the bristle tufts to follow the arc shape of the teeth of a user during a brushing process.
  • US Patent No. 5,774,923 discloses still another toothbrush fitted with a flexibly linked zone at its head whereby a longitudinal axis of a head portion may intersect with a longitudinal axis of the handle of the toothbrush, though remaining in the same plane.
  • US Patent No. 2,819,482 discloses a toothbrush wherein the head portion is formed with a resilient body mounted on a handle of the toothbrush and wherein a plurality of tuft arrays extend from the handle portion, through the resilient member and project out from the resilient member. This arrangement is useful in particular for massaging the mouth whilst on the other hand it constrains the bristle tufts and prevents them from deforming in any direction.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush wherein the tuft arrays are mounted on a flexible bed having increased resiliency whereby it may be significantly elongated.
  • the toothbrush head is devoid of any moving parts and, by one particular embodiment, the resilient member is molded to a support frame of the brush head without any additional components.
  • This arrangement renders the brush head a trampoline-like behavior whereby the bristles continuously displace along their longitudinal axis such that an optimal tooth brushing process takes place with essentially continuous contact with the surface of the teeth during a brushing process, ensuring improved penetration into the inter-teeth gaps.
  • a toothbrush comprising an elongate handle fitted at one end thereof with a brush head, said brush head comprising a support frame accommodating a resilient bed fitted with a plurality of fixed bristle tufts; said bed being elastically deformable in a direction essentially parallel to an axis of the bristles.
  • the bristle tufts are molded into the bed and wherein the resilient bed is molded into the support frame.
  • the arrangement in accordance with the present invention is such that when a body applies axial force on the bristles, the support bed deforms so as to allow the bristles to assume a contour of said body. However, the support bed spontaneously returns to its initial shape upon cease of the axial force on the bristles.
  • the resilient bed is embedded within the support frame whereby periphery edges thereof are fixed to the support frame.
  • a toothbrush for mounting on a toothbrush handle said head comprising a fitting for articulating it to the handle, and having opposed top and bottom surfaces, which bristles projecting from said top surface, and a bristle bed made of an essentially resilient material and fixedly holding a plurality of bristle tufts, said support bed being deformable in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bristles.
  • Fig. 1 is an overall isometric view of a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a portion of the toothbrush head illustrating a support frame, the bristle carrying member and the bristles being removed;
  • Fig. 3 is an isometric, sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 illustrates the toothbrush of the present invention at a side elevation, during a toothbrush process, applied to the teeth of an individual;
  • Fig. 5A is an isometric view of a support frame in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 5B is a section taken along line V-V in Fig. 5A; and Fig. 5C is a section taken along line V-V in Fig. 5 A showing also a bristle support bed fitted with bristle tufts.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a toothbrush in accordance with the present invention generally designated 20 comprising an elongate handle designated 22 and extending between a proximal end 24 and a distal end 26, and a brush head designated 30 integrally extending from said handle.
  • Brush head 30 comprises a support frame 36 made of a rigid material and in the present example constitutes an integral extension of the handle 22.
  • head 30 may be removably connected to a handle of a toothbrush, e.g. an electric toothbrush in which case the frame 36 comprises suitable engagement means for coupling with a corresponding engagement arrangement of the handle.
  • the frame 36 comprises suitable engagement means for coupling with a corresponding engagement arrangement of the handle.
  • support frame 36 is a two-layer hollow structure comprising a top member 38 and a bottom member 40, said top member having an upper surface 42.
  • the top member 38 and the bottom member 40 are reinforced by integral supports 44 and 46 with a gap 48 extending between the two members and a central cavity 50 defined within said support frame 36.
  • a bristle support bed 60 received within cavity 50 there is a bristle support bed 60 made of an elastically deformable material such as, for example, silicon rubber or other synthetic rubber having a significant elongation coefficient, e.g. of about 600% or so.
  • the bristle support bed 60 is molded within the cavity 50 and projects into the gaps 48 between the top member 38 and the bottom member 40 whereby it becomes secured at its perimeter to the support frame 36.
  • Suitable gripping members 64 (Fig. 2) may be provided for increasing the support of the perimeter of the bristle support bed 60 within the frame 36.
  • the bristle support bed 60 is essentially flush with the upper surface 42 of the top member 38 with a plurality of bristle tufts 66 upwardly projecting therefrom.
  • the bristle support bed is flush also at its bottom surface 65 with the lower surface 43 of the bottom member 40 (Fig. 3).
  • bristle tufts may be arranged at a variety of arrays, as known per se, and may also have different rigidity, different lengths, etc.
  • the arrangement of the toothbrush in accordance with the present invention is such that the bristle support bed 60 is significantly deformable in a direction essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of bristle tufts 66 whereby depressing the bristles against the teeth 70 of an individual entails significant deformation of the bristle support bed 60 in a direction essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bristles 66, whereby the free ends of the bristles assume the contour of the teeth 70 or of the gums, respectively, and whereby the bristles penetrate into the inter-teeth interstices for improved performances.
  • the bristles continuously assume the respective shape, owing to high elasticity of the bristle support bed.
  • the bristle support bed 60 is illustrated in its deformed state where it extends beyond the lower surface 43 of the bottom member 40. It seen, the bottom surface of the support bed 60 assumes an undulating shape conforming essentially with the shape of the theath/gums.
  • Figs. 5A to 5C there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention wherein the support frame designated 76 comprises a top member 78 having an upper surface 80 and a bottom member 82 having a lower surface 84.
  • the top member 78 is narrower and on that account the bottom member 82 is wider and furthermore, the bottom member 82 is formed with a bottom cover plate 86, which may be integrally formed therewith or attached thereto, e.g. by adhering or welding, etc.
  • the bristle support bed 90 is essentially flush with the upper surface 80 of the top member 78 and is supported at its perimeter as explained in connection with the previous embodiment, to the frame 76, leaving a deformation space 94 whereby, when the bristle support member 90 deforms it does not project beyond the lower surface 84 of the bottom member 82.
  • the bristle support bed may be molded within the support frame or otherwise adhered thereto in a manner which provides peripheral support to the bristle support member whereby it will not disengage from the support frame as it deforms.
  • the bristle support bed is hermetically supported by the support frame whereby no liquids and dirt can enter and accumulate in the toothbrush head.

Abstract

L'invention concerne une brosse à dents comprenant un manche allongé, pourvu d'une tête au niveau d'une des extrémités dudit manche. Cette tête présente un cadre support logeant un lit souple, pourvu d'une pluralité de touffes de poils fixées. Ce lit peut être déformé élastiquement dans un sens sensiblement parallèle à un axe des poils.
PCT/IL2002/000522 2001-06-28 2002-06-27 Brosse a dents amelioree WO2003001943A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL14405301A IL144053A0 (en) 2001-06-28 2001-06-28 Improved toothbrush
IL144053 2001-06-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003001943A1 true WO2003001943A1 (fr) 2003-01-09

Family

ID=11075559

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2002/000522 WO2003001943A1 (fr) 2001-06-28 2002-06-27 Brosse a dents amelioree

Country Status (2)

Country Link
IL (1) IL144053A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003001943A1 (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004080238A1 (fr) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-23 M+C Schiffer Gmbh Procede et dispositif pour produire une brosse
WO2005013762A1 (fr) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Brosse a dents
WO2005107522A1 (fr) * 2004-05-07 2005-11-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg. Brosse a dents
WO2006012956A3 (fr) * 2004-08-03 2006-06-15 Unilever Nv Brosse a dents
WO2006131397A1 (fr) * 2005-06-09 2006-12-14 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Brosse a dents
US7600288B1 (en) * 2008-05-31 2009-10-13 Givonetti Raymond R Conforming toothbrush head with pressure equalizer
US8220102B2 (en) 2004-03-09 2012-07-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US20150189978A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2015-07-09 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2819482A (en) 1954-08-05 1958-01-14 Eugene F Traub Tooth cleaning and gum massaging instrument
US4240452A (en) * 1979-09-13 1980-12-23 Jean San Bau Elastic base toothbrush
US4633542A (en) * 1984-04-13 1987-01-06 Laboratoires Pharmascience Brush having resiliently retractable bristles, in particular for brushing surfaces of complex shape, such as teeth
US4694844A (en) * 1984-02-27 1987-09-22 Berl Marta N Toothbrush
US5269038A (en) 1991-03-29 1993-12-14 Bradley Terry G Rocker toothbrush
US5774923A (en) 1993-09-27 1998-07-07 Smithkline Beecham Plc Toothbrush having a flexibly linked zone in its head
WO1998037788A1 (fr) * 1997-02-24 1998-09-03 Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare Gmbh Brosse a dents
US5839149A (en) 1996-08-26 1998-11-24 Scheier; Paul A. Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support
US5881426A (en) 1997-02-18 1999-03-16 Tong; Gary S. Brush with flexible bristles
US5991959A (en) 1997-02-17 1999-11-30 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Toothbrush with flexibly mounted bristles

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2819482A (en) 1954-08-05 1958-01-14 Eugene F Traub Tooth cleaning and gum massaging instrument
US4240452A (en) * 1979-09-13 1980-12-23 Jean San Bau Elastic base toothbrush
US4694844A (en) * 1984-02-27 1987-09-22 Berl Marta N Toothbrush
US4633542A (en) * 1984-04-13 1987-01-06 Laboratoires Pharmascience Brush having resiliently retractable bristles, in particular for brushing surfaces of complex shape, such as teeth
US5269038A (en) 1991-03-29 1993-12-14 Bradley Terry G Rocker toothbrush
US5774923A (en) 1993-09-27 1998-07-07 Smithkline Beecham Plc Toothbrush having a flexibly linked zone in its head
US5839149A (en) 1996-08-26 1998-11-24 Scheier; Paul A. Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support
US5991959A (en) 1997-02-17 1999-11-30 Chesebrough-Pond's Usa Co., Toothbrush with flexibly mounted bristles
US5881426A (en) 1997-02-18 1999-03-16 Tong; Gary S. Brush with flexible bristles
WO1998037788A1 (fr) * 1997-02-24 1998-09-03 Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare Gmbh Brosse a dents

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004080238A1 (fr) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-23 M+C Schiffer Gmbh Procede et dispositif pour produire une brosse
WO2005013762A1 (fr) * 2003-07-25 2005-02-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Brosse a dents
JP2006528501A (ja) * 2003-07-25 2006-12-21 グラクソスミスクライン・コンシューマー・ヘルスケア・ゲゼルシャフト・ミット・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング・ウント・コムパニー・コマンディットゲゼルシャフト 歯ブラシ
US8099819B2 (en) 2003-07-25 2012-01-24 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Toothbrush
JP4758344B2 (ja) * 2003-07-25 2011-08-24 グラクソスミスクライン・コンシューマー・ヘルスケア・ゲゼルシャフト・ミット・ベシュレンクテル・ハフツング・ウント・コムパニー・コマンディットゲゼルシャフト 歯ブラシ
US8220102B2 (en) 2004-03-09 2012-07-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US8069524B2 (en) 2004-05-07 2011-12-06 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Toothbrush
WO2005107522A1 (fr) * 2004-05-07 2005-11-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg. Brosse a dents
WO2006012956A3 (fr) * 2004-08-03 2006-06-15 Unilever Nv Brosse a dents
WO2006131397A1 (fr) * 2005-06-09 2006-12-14 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Brosse a dents
US9185967B2 (en) 2005-06-09 2015-11-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Toothbrush
US7600288B1 (en) * 2008-05-31 2009-10-13 Givonetti Raymond R Conforming toothbrush head with pressure equalizer
US20150189978A1 (en) * 2011-09-23 2015-07-09 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush
US9788642B2 (en) * 2011-09-23 2017-10-17 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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