Toothcare unit

(42) Date of commencement of the patent: 15. 6.1995 (45) Date of issue: 25. 1. 1996 (56) Documentation:

(73) Patent owner:

AT 354616B US 3273189A

GB 1262483A US 1097122A US 3261354A

US 3465751A US 3480981A

FALLBÜGL FRANZ

A-2102 BISAMBERG, LOWER AUSTRIA (AT).

(54) TOOTH CARE UNIT (57) A dental care unit is described, consisting of a toothbrush with brush holder part (BZZ), one open at the front end, curved, at the other end in a connection coupling (S) and parallel to the toothbrush, above the upper side disposed Mundduscheröhrchen (D) and a fastening part between toothbrush and tube (D), wherein in the Büfstenträgerteil (BTT) a passage opening (A) is arranged substantially transversely to the upper side of the toothbrush and the tube (D) is releasably connectable by the fastening part with the toothbrush, in that the curved tube end is arranged in or above the passage opening (A) in the brush holder part (BTT).

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AT 400 511

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AT 400 511 Β

The invention relates to a dental care unit, consisting of a toothbrush with brush holder part, an open at the front end, curved, at the other end in a connection coupling and parallel to the toothbrush, arranged above the top Mundduscheröhrchen and a fastening part between toothbrush and tube.

Such a dental care unit is eg from US-PS 3465751 known. In this document, an oscillating toothbrush is described along the back of a substantially flexible hose an oral irrigator is performed. The curved nozzle end of the oral irrigator is passed around the free end of the brush head so that liquid can be expelled in the direction of the teeth during application of the dental care unit. The flexible hose is firmly connected to the toothbrush at one area. In a variant described in this document, the hose may also be attached to a connection point of the toothbrush, from which a channel inside the toothbrush leads to an exit point in the brush head area.

US Pat. No. 3,480,981 discloses a toothbrush with an integrated oral irrigator in which a supply tube is guided along the spine of the oscillatingly drivable toothbrush, which tube is firmly connected to the back of the brush head and has an outlet channel in the region of the connection point opens in the brush head In the region of the bristles of the brush head has a plurality of openings which open into the hollow chamber to flush around the bristles with liquid.

The toothbrush described in US Pat. No. 3,261,354 has a fluid port which merges into a longitudinal channel leading to the brush head. The fluid channel ends in openings that. are between the bristle bundles, so that liquid exits the brush head. In the distance around the bristles a circumferentially closed rubber bar is arranged, the height of which corresponds substantially to the length of the bristles. This ensures that the openings in the brush head always have a defined distance from the teeth.

A toothbrush and mouthwash unit is also known from US Pat. No. 3,273,189, in which the main part of the mouthpiece tube is arranged parallel to the back of the toothbrush handle. The mouthpiece tube extends beyond the brush head and is bent at a distance at a 90 ° angle around the end of the brush head such that the axis of a located at the end of Mundduscheröhrchens nozzle opening is arranged substantially parallel to the bristles of the brush. Der'Bürstenteil and Mundduscheröhrchen open into a 'common handle, are integrated in the drive and supply units, the brush part for the sole use of the irrigator is removable.

A hollow toothbrush head with a plug connection for a supply line is known from GB-PS 1 262 483. The brush head has outlet openings between the bristle bundles through which liquid can reach the teeth.

U.S. Patent No. 1,097,122 relates to a toothbrush having a fluid port and a channel disposed parallel to its longitudinal extent within the toothbrush and extending from the terminal end of the toothbrush to exit ports at the base of the bristles on the brush head.

The document AT-PS 354 616 describes a toothbrush consisting essentially of two longitudinal halves, which together enclose a cavity. The brush has a liquid connection, which opens into the cavity, and liquid outlet openings in the region of the bristles for exiting the liquid from the cavity.

From the above brief descriptions it follows that the known proposals can be divided essentially into two groups.

In the first group is located in the brush holder part of the toothbrush a longitudinal channel with ejection openings, eg an ejection opening, at the bottom. Another longitudinal channel in the handle part of the toothbrush, or a tube located above the brush holder part, supplies the liquid. The advantage of this design is that the bristles are flushed by the effluent liquid. However, the liquid channel located in the bristle carrier part limits the possibilities of the bristle arrangement. The toothbrush is more expensive compared to toothbrushes without inner channels, or without an internal channel or chamber. A separate showering without brushing is not possible or only with further effort.

In the second group, the shower tube is guided beyond the bristle carrier part and projects beyond its free end. This allows the shower tube and toothbrush separate, so that a separate showers or brushes is possible. The disadvantage, however, is that only a small part of the supplied liquid flows around the bristles. The protruding beyond the bristle carrier tube affects the accessibility to the rear teeth.

AT 400 511 Β

It is the object of the present invention to provide a dental care unit of the type mentioned, in which the above-described disadvantages are avoided.

This object is achieved in that the brush holder part a passage opening is arranged substantially transversely to the top of the toothbrush and that the tube is detachably connected by the attachment part with the toothbrush so that the curved tube end is arranged in or above the passage opening in the brush holder part.

Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

In the following embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. It shows:

1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention with a first variant of a fastening part,

2 shows a second embodiment of a fastening part with shower tube and toothbrush in a partial view,

3 shows a full section through the fastening part of Fig. 2,

4 shows a first variant of a toothbrush in a plan view,

5 shows a second variant of a toothbrush in a plan view,

6 shows a third embodiment of a fastening part in full section,

7 shows the fastening part from FIG. 6 in a side view,

Fig. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a fastening part and

Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a Spannbügeielements for securing the Mundduscheröhrchens to the toothbrush.

In all embodiments, the toothbrushes have a liquid passage opening (A) in the brush holder part (BTT), further in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a through hole (B) and a recess (M), see FIG. 4th In the second variant, the toothbrush has a depression (M) and a tapering point (VT), see FIG. 5, up. The showering tube has at the front end an arcuate ejection part which extends over or partially in the through hole (A).

In the embodiments described below, the shower tube (D), Fig. 1 and FIG. 2, either to the toothbrush handle end and here to the Verbindungskuppiung (S), connected in the form of a hose coupling over which the flexible Verbindungsschiauch leads to the pump, or there is a Duscheröhrchenkupplung, and these, according to the embodiments, the toothbrush handle (GT) releasably secured. In other variants shower tubes (D), or Shower tube coupling (S), and toothbrush handle (GT) by a releasable clamping device connected to each other (see FIG. 6 till 8).

Advantageously, in all embodiments, the shower tube section between the fastening part and the toothbrush handle end is designed as a grab handle and, in the exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is referred to as a shower tube coupling handle (DRG). Referring to Figure 2, the handle has a tapered shape towards the toothbrush end, which conforms well to the well, or well, well, Fig. 2, Fig. 4, and Fig. 5 herein designated (M). Other grip shapes are also possible.

In the following, a variant of a fastening part with reference to FIG. 1 described in more detail. The fastening part here consists of a mounting block (V1), which is firmly connected to the shower tube (D). Both are arranged above the toothbrush. One end of the tube is bent and open. It lies in the through hole (A) in the brush holder part (BTT) of the toothbrush. The other end is connected to the tube coupling (S). The mounting block (V1) has on the flat bottom a threaded hole, which is arranged opposite the through-hole (B) in the toothbrush handle part (GT). The fastening part is further associated with a through the through hole (D) inserted thumbscrew (V2), which is screwed into the threaded hole. The shower tube (D) is partially in a recess (M) of the top of the handle end part.

In the variants described below, only the differences from the former embodiment will be discussed. For identical and similar components, like reference numerals are used.

In the following, a second variant of a fastening part with reference to FIG. 2 and 3 explained in more detail. The shower tube (D) is firmly connected to the terminal block (KB). The terminal block (KB) has on one side an angled, an undercut for the area-wise one-sided recording of the edge of the toothbrush handle part forming web. A chipboard (KP) also has at its lower end a region encompassing the opposite edge of the toothbrush handle part and a through hole arranged opposite a lateral threaded hole in the clamping block (KB). The clamping plate (KP) is supported on an upper lateral support web of the clamping block (KB). Between the undercut and the clamping plate (KP) is the toothbrush handle part,

AT 400 511 Β advantageously at a tapering point (VT), see Fig. 5, clamped by means of a thumbscrew (RS). The terminal block (KB) may further comprise a shower tube handle (DRG). This type of connection is particularly resistant to twisting and the knurled screw (RS) only needs to be loosened to change the toothbrush.

In the following, a third variant of a fastening part with reference to Figures 6 and 7 is described in more detail, in this variant, the fastening part and the connection coupling (S) are designed as a structural unit. The assembly includes a left jaw half (LSB) and a right jaw half (RSB). The jaw halves (LSB, RSB) are designed to receive the shower tube (D) and the toothbrush on opposite sides as approximately form-fitting receiving parts. Clamping is done with a knurled screw (RS), leaving a gap between the jaw halves (LSB, RSB). This connection variant is stiff and twist-proof.

Another variant is shown in FIG. 8th described, which is based on the variant described above. The clamping jaw halves (LSB, RSB) are held together by a pre-stressed clamping bracket (SBL). The clamping bracket (SBL) has latching elements, eg in the form of Einrastkugein (RK), on. On each side of each jaw half (LSB, RSB) a Einrastriile (ER) is formed, in which the middle part of the tension bracket (SBL) in the Einrastriile (ER) engages when pushing the tension bracket (SBL), while the Einrastkugeln (RK) snap into correspondingly shaped detent grooves (RM).

The clamping bracket (SBL) can also be pushed from above over the clamping jaw halves (LSB, RSB). In such an arrangement, however, a measure would be advantageous, which prevents a Ausienkung of shower tube, or shower tube handle.

FIG. 9 shows a further variant of the present invention. The showering tube (D) is prevented from twisting or deflecting by a clamp member (KL) pushed over it and the toothbrush handle (ZG) and / or the bristle carrier part (BTT) at a suitable location.

In an approximately U-shaped design, the clamping element (KL) clamp together a mounting block and a toothbrush handle, with at least one other clamping element (KL) deflections and rotations of the shower tube (D), or the shower tube handle (DRG) prevented.

For all parts arranged on the toothbrush handle (GT) or brush holder part (BTT), taper points (VT), see eg FIG. 5, are advantageous.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, a respective shower tube (D) is passed through the connecting or clamping block (KB) and firmly connected thereto. Furthermore, the connection or clamping block (KB) can also be configured as a connection coupling (S), for example in the form of a hose or tube coupling. This embodiment also relates to all previously described types of connection.

By the dental care unit according to the invention, the dental care performed by means of this, or Zahnfieischpfiege, be referred to as intensive care. The simultaneous showering and brushing support each other. Another advantage of the invention is that the brushing is always done with pure liquid, and the brush acts softer by as always liquid present during the dental care process. Furthermore, the present invention causes a considerable saving of time and achieves a smaller space requirement.