Tooth brush

The subject of the invention is a toothbrush.

When cleaning teeth with a conventional toothbrush with a stiff head, it is difficult to reach all parts of the teeth, as well as maintaining an optimal angle between the teeth and the brush head for effective cleaning, while it is necessary to constantly change the position of the brush in the hand throughout tooth cleaning process. Accordingly, when brushing teeth with a conventional brush, there is a tendency to exert excessive pressure on some teeth and insufficient pressure on other teeth. The resulting combination of excessive pressure and inadequate cleaning, or a faulty cleaning method leads to damage to both teeth and gums.

Brushes with an angled head are also proposed to overcome some of the difficulties mentioned, however such brushes have also proved ineffective.

Toothbrushes that have flexible handles or flexible zones on the handle portion are also known in the art to assist in orienting the brush head relative to the outline of the user's teeth and gums.

From EPA0336641 and Swiss CH 0155730, brushes are known which have modified handle flexibility obtained by means of a series of U-shaped folds in the handle. From U.S. Patent No. 4,520,526 a toothbrush is known in which a cut in the form of an elongated slot is used in the handle to give flexibility. A German toothbrush known from DE OL 3640898 has a neck in the form of a long, thin rib of hard, flexible plastic.

From German Patent DE OL 3612108 a toothbrush is known having a two-piece handle connected by a springy plate, while from Italian Patent No. 4

170 488 wego IT 485723 a brush is known in which the head and handle are connected by a metal strip having a plastic circle along its length.

From the patent specification No. 4488328 is a known toothbrush in which the neck is extended to form a two-armed yoke that partially surrounds the head and which is attached to the head through thin elastic ribs at the ends of the yoke in line with the neck and between the yoke, and the head has an empty slot.

However, all these solutions did not provide sufficient head flexibility relative to the handle to achieve effective tooth cleaning, obtained by maintaining the angle of the teeth between the teeth and the brush head throughout the entire cleaning procedure.

The object of the invention is to provide a solution for a toothbrush with increased flexibility of the head relative to the handle.

The first embodiment of a toothbrush having a handle at one end of which is a part containing bristle tufts, constituting a bristle head, the handle and the part containing bristle tufts are made of plastic, and the head is flexibly and resiliently connected to the extended part of the handle , wherein the head has the ability to perform a tilting movement relative to the handle, according to the invention is characterized in that the extended part of the handle has the form, which completely or partially surrounds the head, flexibly and elastically connected to the frame, with a gap between the head and the frame which is completely closed by a flexible and resilient elastomeric material. The extended frame portion contains bristles.

A second embodiment of a toothbrush having a handle at one end of which is a portion containing bristle tufts constituting a bristle head, the handle and portion comprising bristle tufts are made of plastic, and the head is flexibly and resiliently connected to the protruding portion handle, wherein the head has the ability to perform a tilting movement relative to the handle, according to the invention is characterized by that the head is provided with an open socket on the side of the head facing the handle, into which socket extends the part so that it is partially surrounded by the head, the protruding part being flexibly and resiliently connected to the head through a connecting means inside the socket, and there is a gap between the head and the extended part. The head of such a brush has the form of a substantially U, V or C shaped frame, and the protruding part overlaps into a socket formed or enclosed by the arms of this U, V or C shaped frame. The protruding part is attached to the head inside the socket by means of one flexible resilient rib bridging the gap between the head and the protruding part for their connection.

Such a brush preferably has two ribs arranged diametrically opposed to each other in relation to the head and the protruding part.

The slot gap is completely or partly closed with elastomeric material.

A third embodiment of a toothbrush having a handle at one end of which is a portion containing bristle tufts constituting a bristle head, the handle and portion comprising bristle tufts are made of plastic, and the head is flexibly and resiliently connected to the extended portion of the handle wherein the head has the ability to perform a tilting movement relative to the handle, according to the invention it is characterized by that the head is provided with an open socket on the side of the head facing the handle, into which socket extends the part so that it is partially surrounded by the head, the protruding part being flexibly and resiliently connected to the head through a connecting means inside the socket, and there is a gap between the head and the extended part.

The head has the form of a substantially U, V or C shaped frame, and the protruding part overlaps into a socket formed or encompassed by the arms of this U, V or C shaped frame.

The protruding part is attached to the head by means of a rib located at the end of the protruding part and extending in a direction substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis

170 488 brushes. The protruding portion preferably directly itself is a rib which projects from the handle into the socket in a direction substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the brush, joining the head and handle.

The slot gap is completely or partially closed by elastomerric material.

The handle has an end formed as one whole with a protruding part in the shape of a thin, flexible elastic rib that overlaps into the socket in the head and is joined together with the head at the bottom of the socket, and the space of the socket between this rib and the head is filled with elastomeric material.

A fourth embodiment of a toothbrush having a handle at one end of which is a part containing bristle tufts, constituting a bristly head, the handle and the part comprising bristle tufts being made of plastic, according to the invention characterized in that between the handle and the head there is a seat that intersects the boundary area between the handle and head and which contains elastomeric material.

The handle is preferably joined together as a whole or by means of a protruding part in the form of a springy rib.

The seat is in the form of a notch protruding internally from the outer surface of the handle and head and is completely filled with elastomeric material. The bristle fibers on the head may be arranged in a conventional arrangement, i.e. evenly on the frame-shaped head, but are preferably arranged in separate tufts, each tuft containing a number of bristle fibers.

The bristles on the extended part of the handle are preferably arranged in separate tufts and may have the same or different color, different arrangement, length, orientation, or stiffness, similar to tufts on the head. Preferably the bristles on the protruding portion are shorter than the bristles on the head. The protruding portion in the area inside the frame-shaped head is preferably tapered, or narrower, relative to the immediately adjacent handle area to facilitate fitting of the protruding portion within the opening or seat.

The head and the extended section of the handle may have different colors due to their aesthetic appeal, or to emphasize the design of the toothbrush.

In the first and second embodiments of the toothbrushes of the invention, it is preferred that the frame-shaped head has one or more grooves on the surface opposite to that from which the bristle fibers protrude to achieve some flexibility in the head. For example, such grooves can be perpendicular, parallel, or diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

In both these solutions, a flexible and resilient connection of the head and the extended part of the handle can be achieved in a variety of ways.

For example, the relative dimensions of the head and the surrounding frame, or the extended portion of the handle, and the opening, or socket may be selected so as to leave a gap between the head and the extended portion of the handle, the dimensions of this slot being such that the head and extended portion of the handle can perform relative movement. rocking or swinging around this gap, the gap being completely or partly filled with an elastic and resilient material, preferably in the form of a thin diaphragm. The elasticity and elasticity of such a diaphragm depends on the materials from which it is made, on its thickness and the degree of filling the gap between the head and the extended part of the handle. Preferably, the elastic and resilient material may be an elastomeric material and may be colored differently than the head or protruding part or handle to give aesthetic appeal or to emphasize the design of the toothbrush.

Connecting the head to the extended portion as described above allows the head to swing relative to the handle about a number of axes. Preferably, the head is at least capable of swinging in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis of the handle.

The diaphragm can be made integrally with the extended part or head, or as a separate part. For example, if the protruding part or head is made of plastic material, then the diaphragm can be made in the same formo operation

170 488 frames, head or frame. If the diaphragm is made of elastomer material, then it is necessary to make it and put it on separately.

The rim, head and bristle of the toothbrushes according to the invention can be made of conventional materials in the production of toothbrushes, especially of plastic materials. Suitable plastic materials are, for example, polyamides and polypropylenes. Suitable elastomeric materials include natural or synthetic latex-type elastomers, especially polychloroprene, natural rubber and various types of silicon.

The handle may have a conventional shape. It can, however, preferably be made in the form described in EP-0336641-A, column 1, lines 36-49.

The toothbrush according to the invention is manufactured as a whole, avoiding the two-part construction, and the new head construction provides increased flexibility in the head area rather than in the handle area, as was the case with known solutions.

The toothbrush head according to the invention can move in a swinging motion relative to the handle and thus adapts better to the shape of the teeth than with a completely stiff toothbrush. In addition, the ability of the head to slide over the surface relative to the handle allows a much more gentle brushing operation, as well as reduces the likelihood of injury to the user's gums.

The toothbrush according to the invention can be used for conventional manual tooth cleaning, preferably by a method recommended by dentists, and can also be used as an electrically-driven toothbrush.

The subject of the invention is shown in the embodiments of the drawing, in which Figure 1 shows a toothbrush in a first embodiment having a protruding part in the form of a frame in which the connection of the head and frame is realized by means of a diaphragm, Fig. 2- toothbrush according to Fig. 1, in which the protruding part in the form of a frame comprises bristle fibers, Fig. 3 - a toothbrush in a second embodiment having a frame-shaped head partially enclosing the extended part of the handle, Fig. 4 - a toothbrush according to Fig. 3, in which the frame-shaped head partly covering the extended part of the handle contains bristle fibers, Fig. 5 - the toothbrush according to Fig. 3, having a head in the shape of a frame, connected to the protruding part of the handle by means of ribs, Fig. 6A- a toothbrush in the third embodiment, having a head in the shape of a frame, connected to the handle by means of a protruding part in the form of a springy rib, and Figures 6B and 6C - a toothbrush in the fourth embodiment, in which between the handle and the head there is nest filled with elastomeric material.

Figure 1 shows the head of the first embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention, in plan view in Fig. 1A, respectively, from below in Fig. 1B, in a side view in Fig. 1C, in cross section along the line AA in Fig. 1D and 1F, and in cross section along the BB line in fig, 1E.

In the toothbrush shown in Fig. 1, the handle 11 of the toothbrush is extended to form an integral frame 12 that surrounds the rigid head 13. The upper surface of the head 13 has bristle fibers 14, arranged as separate tufts. The relative dimensions of the frame 12 and the head 13 are such that a narrow gap 15 is between them.

The gap 15 is open from the bottom, and its upper part is closed by a thin membrane made of elastomer material 16. The thickness of the membrane made of elastomer material 16 is chosen so that it is flexible and elastic.

Figures 1E and 1F illustrate the swaying movement of the head 13 relative to the frame 12 when pressure is applied to the bristle fibers 14 at the locations indicated by the arrow, the diaphragm 16 being thin enough, and the gap 15 having dimensions enabling this movement.

Figure 2 shows the toothbrush according to Figure 1, wherein the head frame also includes bristle tufts. The brush according to the invention is shown in plan view

170 488 in Fig. 2A, in a bottom view in Fig. 2B, in a side view in Fig. 2C, in cross section along the lines AA in Figs. 2D and 2F, and in cross section along the line BB in Fig. 2E.

In the toothbrush shown in Fig. 2, the handle 21 is attached to the integral frame 22 surrounding the rigid head 23 which has bristle fibers 24, with a narrow gap 25 between the frame 22 and head 23. Day 25 is open, while the upper side is closed with a diaphragm of elastomer material 26, thin enough to be flexible and resilient. Construction, placement and rocking motion of the toothbrushes of Fig. 2 under the pressure applied, they are identical to those in Fig. 1.

On the upper surface of the frame 22 are bristle fibers 27, arranged as separate tufts around the frame 22. These bristles 27 are shorter than the bristles 24 on the head 23.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the toothbrush according to the invention, in a top view in Fig. 3A, in a bottom view in Fig. 3B, in a side view in Fig. 3C, in cross section along the line AA in Fig. 3D and Fig. .3f and in cross section along the BB line in Fig. 3E.

In the toothbrush of Fig. 3, the handle end 31 formed in the form of a tapered extended portion 32. The extended portion 32 fits into the interior of the seat 33 in the head 34 in the form of a frame, generally U-shaped. In the upper face of the head 34 there are bristles fibers 35, arranged in separate bundles. The relative dimensions of the extended portion 32 and seat 33 are such that a narrow gap remains between the extended portion 32 and the head 34.

The gap is open from below, and its upper part is closed by a thin diaphragm of elastomer material 36, which has a thickness that provides flexibility and elasticity of the diaphragm.

Figures 3E and 3F show the rocking motion of the head 34 relative to the handle 31 when applying pressure to the bristle fibers 35 at the locations indicated by the arrow, the gaps between the head 34 and the extended portion 32 being selected to allow such rocking motion.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the toothbrush according to Figure 3, in a top view in Figure 4A, in a bottom view in Figure 4B, in a side view in Figure 4C, in section along the line AA in Figure 4. 4D and Fig. 4F, and in cross section along the BB line in Fig. 4E.

In the toothbrush shown in Fig. 4, the arrangement of the head 41 and the tapered extended part 42 of the handle 43 is similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 3. The shape of the extended part 42 converges with the handle 43 so that it fits into the socket 44 in the head 41 generally V-shaped, with the relative dimensions of the protruding portion 42 and seat 44 being selected so as to leave a narrow gap between the protruding portion 42 and the head 41.

The toothbrush shown in Fig. 4 differs from the brush shown in Fig. 3 in that the bristle fibers 45 are placed on the protruding portion 42 as well as on the head 41. The bristle fibers 45 on the protruding portion 42 are shorter than the bristle fibers 46 on head 41.

Figures 4E and 4F show the rocking motion of the head 41 relative to handle 43 after applying pressure bristles 46 at the locations indicated by the arrow.

Figure 5 shows the toothbrush as in Figure 3, from above in Figure 5A, from below in Figure 5B, and in cross-section along the line BB of Figure 5A in Figure 5C.

In the toothbrush shown in Fig. 5, the arrangement of the frame-shaped head 51, the protruding part 52, the seat 53 and the bristle fibers 54 is identical to that in Fig. 3. A flexible and resilient connection between the head 51 and the protruding part 52 is implemented by two ribs 55 located diametrically opposite each other on each of the two sides of the head 51, bridging the gap between the head 51 and the extended part 52. These ribs 55 are sized so that the head 51 undergoes rocking motion relative to the protruding portion 32, as shown in Fig. 3F and optionally as shown in Fig. 3E.

170 488

Figure 6A shows a third embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention in top view, while Figures 6B and 6C show a fourth embodiment of a brush according to the invention.

In the toothbrush shown in Fig. 6A, the handle 61 has an end that is formed as a whole with the protruding portion 62 in the form of a thin, elastic rib. Part 62 is inserted into the space of the seat 63 in the head 64 and integrally joins the head 64 at the bottom of the seat 63, thereby joining the handle 61 and the head 64. The rib is thin enough to allow the head 64 to swing relative to the handle 61. The head 64 has bristles fibers 65, arranged as separate bundles.

Figures 6B and 6C show a fourth example of a brush according to the invention in which the gap between the rib and the head 64, i.e. the region enclosing the seat 63, is filled with elastomer material 66. Elastomer material 66 modifies the swing of the head 64 relative to the handle 61, and has a different Color than handle material 61 and head 64 for aesthetic reasons and to emphasize the design of the toothbrush.

170 488

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Department of Publications of the Republic of Poland. Edition of 90 copies Price PLN 4.00