CN205286573U - Tooth cleaning tool including angled brush - Google Patents

Abstract

A dental cleaning tool has a handle defining a longitudinal axis of the tool and a floss holder having a base and two arms extending from the base in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis. At least one strand of floss extends between the two arms. An angled brush attached to the floss holder includes a rod and hairs disposed on the rod. The rod is oriented at an acute angle with respect to one of the arms of the floss holder.

Description

Teeth cleaning tool containing angled brushes

technical field

The field of the disclosure relates generally to dental cleaning implements, and more particularly, to dental cleaning implements that include angled brushes.

Background technique

Dental cleaning implements are used to remove food residues and/or accumulated food from the surfaces of teeth or the surfaces between teeth. As a result, some known dental cleaning implements include brushes for cleaning the surfaces of the teeth, and other known dental cleaning implements include brushes for removing or loosening residual food (or other debris) lodged between adjacent teeth. of floss or picks. However, some known dental cleaning implements are difficult for the user to handle because the dental cleaning implement must be inserted at least partially inside the user's mouth. Often, the user has to hold the dental cleaning implement to awkwardly reach and clean the teeth located at the back of the mouth. Accordingly, some known dental cleaning implements are difficult to use on or between teeth located at or near the back of the mouth. Furthermore, users often have to alternate between separate implements (eg, brushes, flosses, and/or picks) to realize the different benefits of each of these implements.

Some conventional dental cleaning implements contain a combination of dental floss, picks and/or brushes, which often exacerbates the difficulty of using the dental cleaning implement. For example, the way a user holds and manipulates a dental cleaning implement inserted into the mouth makes it uncomfortable to hold or hold. Furthermore, dental floss, picks or brushes can interfere with the use of other components of the dental cleaning implement. For example, dental floss, picks or brushes may be attached such that it is difficult for the user to place other parts of the tooth cleaning implement inside the user's mouth. As a result, some users skip or ineffectively clean parts of their teeth in order to avoid discomfort.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved dental cleaning implement that combines a number of cleaning components and that is not only comfortable, but also simple and effective to use.

Utility model content

In one aspect, a dental cleaning implement generally includes a handle defining a longitudinal axis of the implement and a floss holder having a base and two arms extending from the base in perpendicular relationship to the longitudinal axis. At least one strand of dental floss extends between the two arms. An angled brush is attached to the floss holder and includes a stick and bristles resting on the stick. The wand is oriented at an acute angle relative to one of the arms of the floss holder.

In another aspect, a dental cleaning implement generally includes a handle defining a longitudinal axis of the implement and a floss holder for holding a plurality of strands of dental floss. The angled brush attaches to the floss holder. Angled brushes include a rod and bristles extending from the rod. The stick is oriented at an acute angle with respect to a portion of the floss holder. The toothpick has a pointed tip and is spaced from the floss holder such that the handle is positioned between the toothpick and the floss holder.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one suitable embodiment of a dental cleaning implement comprising angled brushes;

Fig. 2 is the left side view of the tooth cleaning tool;

Figure 3 is a front view of a tooth cleaning tool;

Fig. 4 is the rear view of the tooth cleaning tool;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a tooth cleaning tool;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the tooth cleaning tool.

detailed description

A suitable embodiment of a dental cleaning implement, generally indicated at 100 , is shown in FIGS. 1-6 . As shown, the tooth cleaning implement 100 is shown comprising a handle 102 , a floss holder 104 , a toothpick 106 , and an angled brush 108 . Each of the handle 102, floss holder 104, toothpick 106, and angled brush 108 are generally identified in the drawings by their respective reference numerals. It will be appreciated that in some other suitable embodiments without departing from some aspects of the present invention, the dental cleaning implement 100 may comprise any combination of a floss holder 104, a toothpick 106, and/or an angled brush 108. . In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 110 extend around the perimeter of the dental cleaning implement 100 to provide additional strength to the dental cleaning implement and to assist a user in gripping the dental cleaning implement.

The handle 102 includes a grip 112 , a floss end 114 and a pick end 116 . In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 102 has a length 118 measured between the floss end 114 and the pick end 116 along a longitudinal axis 120 of the tool 100 that extends through the handle 102 . In suitable embodiments, the length 118 of the handle 102 may be any measurement that enables the dental cleaning implement 100 to function as described herein. Suitably, length 118 is in a range between about 43mm and about 52mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the length 118 of the handle 102 is approximately 48 mm.

In the illustrated embodiment, best seen in FIGS. 2-5 , the handle 102 includes a front wall 122, an opposing rear wall 124, a first side wall 126, and a second side wall 128 opposite the first side wall. . As shown in FIG. 5 , side walls 126 , 128 are oriented perpendicular to and connected to front wall 122 and rear wall 124 . The width 127 is measured between the front wall 122 and the rear wall 124 ( FIG. 2 ), and the thickness 129 is measured between the two side walls 126 , 128 ( FIG. 3 ). Suitably, the width 127 of the handle 102 is in the range between about 3.8mm and about 5.8mm. In the illustrated embodiment, width 127 is approximately 4.8 mm. Suitably, the thickness 129 of the handle 102 is in a range between about 1.5 mm and about 2.8 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, thickness 129 is approximately 1.9 mm.

The toothpick 106 defines a portion of the handle 102 and more specifically defines the picking end 116 of the handle, the toothpick 106 assists in removing and/or loosening debris, such as leftover food, from between teeth in use. It is contemplated that toothpick 106 may have any suitable shape that facilitates removal of debris between adjacent teeth. In the illustrated embodiment, the picking end 116 of the handle 102 is pointed to define the toothpick 106 . Specifically, the width of at least one sidewall 126 , 128 tapers toward a point toward the reject end 116 . In the illustrated embodiment, only the lower side wall 126 tapers toward the reject end 116 . The upper sidewall 128 is generally planar. However, it is understood that both sidewalls 126, 128 can be tapered. It is also understood that only the upper sidewall 128 can be tapered, in which case the lower sidewall 126 is generally planar. As a result, the front wall 122 and the rear wall 124 meet at the reject end 116 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the toothpick 106 is formed as a single piece with the handle 102 . In other words, the toothpick 106 is an integral and necessary extension of the handle 102 . However, it will be appreciated that the toothpick may be formed as a separate component and attached to the handle 102 during assembly of the tooth cleaning implement 100 . It is also contemplated that toothpick 106 may be removably attached to dental cleaning implement 100 in other suitable embodiments without departing from aspects of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the floss holder 104 extends from a floss end 114 of the holder. The floss holder 104 includes an arcuate (or, broadly speaking, non-linear) base 130 and two arms 132, 134 extending from the base in spaced relationship to each other. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , the inner arm 132 and the outer arm 134 are substantially parallel. Thus, the floss holder 104 in the illustrated embodiment is generally U-shaped. It is understood that in other embodiments, the floss holder 104 may have any suitable shape.

In the illustrated embodiment, the floss holder 104 is formed as a single piece with the handle 102 . In other words, the floss holder 104 is an integral and necessary extension of the handle 102 . However, it is understood that the floss holder 104 may be formed as a separate component and attached to the handle 102 during assembly of the dental cleaning implement 100 .

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 6 , the dental cleaning implement 100 includes a curved portion 136 extending between the handle 102 and the floss holder 104 . As a result, in the illustrated embodiment, a substantial portion of the bottom 130 of the floss holder 104 is disclosed below the longitudinal axis 120 of the tool 100 . The bend 136 helps the user grasp the handle 102 and place the floss holder 104 in the user's mouth. It will be appreciated that the floss holder 104 may be oriented with respect to the handle 102 in any manner that enables the floss holder 104 to function as described herein. For example, in some suitable embodiments, bend 136 may be omitted. In such an embodiment, the bottom 130 of the floss holder 104 is aligned with the longitudinal axis 120 of the tool 100 .

Arms 132 , 134 are cantilevered, each of arms 132 , 134 comprising a proximal portion 138 and a distal portion 140 . The proximal portions 138 , 140 are connected to the base 130 and the distal portion 140 is spaced from the base 130 . At least one floss strand 142 extends between the distal portions 140 of the two arms 132 , 134 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, where two floss strands 142 extend between the two arms 132 , 134 . Suitably, strands 142 of dental floss are substantially parallel to one another. It is understood that the floss holder 104 may have any suitable configuration without departing from some aspects of this disclosure. For example, the strands of dental floss 142 are removable from the arms 132, 134, enabling a user to remove and/or replace the strands of dental floss.

In one suitable embodiment, an angled brush 108 extends (at an angle) from the floss holder 104 . Suitably, an angled brush 108 extends from one of the arms 132,134. In the illustrated embodiment, the angled brush 108 extends from the outermost arm 134 (ie, the arm spaced farthest from the handle 102). However, it is understood that in other suitable embodiments, the angled brush 108 may extend from any portion of the dental cleaning implement 100 without departing from certain aspects of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 , 2 and 6 , the angled brush includes a rod 144 and a plurality of bristles 146 extending from the rod 144 . The rod 144 is angled about the longitudinal axis 120 and the arm 134 to which it is attached such that the rod 144 forms an angle 148 with the outermost arm. More generally, an angled brush 108 extends from the floss holder 104 . More specifically, the angled brush 108 extends from the outermost arm 134 of the brush holder and is angled upwardly toward the bottom 130 of the floss holder 104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the angled brushes 108 extend beyond the lateral limits of the floss holder 104 . That is, the angled brushes 108 extend laterally a greater distance beyond the longitudinal axis 120 than the bottom 130 of the floss holder 104 .

In the illustrated embodiment, angle 148 is an acute angle. As used herein, an acute angle means an angle greater than 0° and less than 90°. In one suitable embodiment, angle 148 is between about 20° and about 50°. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, angle 148 is approximately 35°. It will be appreciated that corner 148 may be any corner that enables operation of angled brush 108 as described herein. It is understood that the rod 144 may be angled with respect to any portion of the dental cleaning implement 100 without departing from certain aspects of this disclosure.

The angled brush 108 may extend from any portion of the outermost arm 134 . In the illustrated embodiment, the angled brush 108 extends from the midpoint of the outer arm 134 . In suitable embodiments, the angled brushes 108 are oriented in any manner and may extend in any direction without departing from aspects of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 2 , the angled brushes 108 extend in a longitudinal direction and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 120 of the tool 100 . Specifically, angled brush 108 extends longitudinally outward from outer arm 134 and laterally toward proximal portion 138 . In suitable embodiments, angled brushes 108 may be oriented such that the angled brushes extend from proximal portion 138 toward distal portion 140 .

Due at least in part to the angle 148 and the orientation of the angled brush 108, the user can comfortably use the angled brush 108 to clean their teeth. In particular, the user can comfortably hold the handle 102, place the angled brush 108 against the various surfaces of their teeth, and not awkwardly place their hands about their mouth or place the implement 100 in their mouth. Additionally, the angled brush 108 enables the dental cleaning implement 100 to reach difficult locations in the user's mouth (ie, the back of the user's mouth). Furthermore, the dental cleaning tool 100 is configured such that the angled brush 108 can be placed in multiple locations without being obstructed by the floss holder 104, and vice versa.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 5 , the rod 144 has a distal end 150 and a proximal end 152 . Length 154 is measured between distal end 150 and proximal end 152 . Suitably, length 154 is between about 14mm and about 22mm. In the illustrated embodiment, length 154 is approximately 18 mm. Suitably, rod 144 has a sidewall 156 extending between proximal end 152 and distal end 150 . In the illustrated embodiment, sidewall 156 is generally cylindrical, having a smaller diameter near distal end 150 and a larger diameter near proximal end 152 . In other words, sidewall 156 tapers as it extends from distal end 150 to proximal end 152 . The smaller diameter facilitates placement of the distal end 150 in dense spaces for cleaning. Additionally, rod 144 has a curved transition near proximal end 152 . The larger diameter and curved transition near the proximal end 152 inhibits snapping of the rod 144 near the attachment of the arm 134 . It is understood that rod 144 may have any suitable shape and size without departing from certain aspects of this disclosure.

The bristles 146 extend from the side walls 156 to clean the user's teeth. The hairs 146 may be arranged in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the hairs 146 are arranged in a plurality of hair groups 158 spaced along the length of the rod 144 and annularly spaced around the periphery of the cylindrical sidewall 156 . In other suitable embodiments, the hairs 146 may be continuous along the length and/or periphery of the rod 144 rather than being arranged in spaced apart groups of hairs 158 . Furthermore, in suitable embodiments, the hairs 146 may extend from only a portion of the rod 144 , eg, along only one side of the rod 144 or only at the distal end 150 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sets of bristles 158 are arranged in four rows that extend along the length 154 of the rod 144 and are annularly spaced around the periphery of the cylindrical sidewall 156 . It will be appreciated that the hairs 1446 may be grouped in any suitable manner, or may be randomly arranged on the side wall 156 .

In suitable embodiments, the dental cleaning implement 100 may be formed in any suitable manner and may be formed from any suitable material. For example, dental cleaning implement 100 may be formed from metal, wood, plastic, and/or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the dental cleaning implement 100 is molded or otherwise formed from a single piece of resilient synthetic material such as, but not limited to, plastic or metal. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 102, floss holder 104, toothpick 106, and angled brush 108 are integrally formed. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the entire tool 100 (except strand 142 of dental floss) is molded as a single piece from an acceptable food grade plastic. In other embodiments, any of the handle 102, floss holder 104, toothpick 106, and angled brush 108 may be formed separately and attached to the dental cleaning implement 100 during assembly.

The dental cleaning implements described herein include angled brushes that extend from other portions of the dental cleaning implement and are oriented at an acute angle relative to the rest of the dental cleaning implement. Thus, the dental cleaning implements described herein enlarge the portion of the mouth that a user can comfortably reach and effectively clean with the dental cleaning implement. Further, the angled brush increases the range of allowable positioning that is not obstructed by other parts of the tooth cleaning implement.

When introducing some element of the invention or a preferred embodiment thereof, the article is intended to mean that there are one or more of these elements. The terms "comprising", "comprising" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there are additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various modifications could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. These other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. In the range.

Claims (20)

1. A tooth cleaning tool, comprising: a shank defining a longitudinal axis of the tool; a dental floss holder having a base and two arms extending from the base in perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis; at least one strand of dental floss extending between the two arms; and an angled brush attached to the floss holder, the angled brush comprising a rod and bristles placed on the rod, the rod relative to the tooth One of the arms of the wire holder is oriented at an acute angle. 2. Dental cleaning implement according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod forms an angle with one of the arms between 20° and 50°. 3. The dental cleaning implement of claim 2, wherein the rod forms an angle of 35° with one of the arms. 4. The dental cleaning implement of claim 2, wherein the arm includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the angled brush extending outwardly from the arm in a longitudinal direction and toward the proximal portion in a transverse direction. 5. The dental cleaning tool of claim 2, wherein the rod has a length and a periphery, and the bristles are arranged to be covered along the length of the rod and annularly around the periphery of the rod. Spaced groups of multiple hairs. 6. The dental cleaning implement of claim 2, further comprising a toothpick extending from an end of the handle opposite the floss holder. 7. The tooth cleaning implement of claim 6, wherein the toothpick is formed by an end of the handle such that the toothpick is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis. 8. The tooth cleaning tool of claim 7, wherein the floss holder further comprises a base, arms extending from the base such that the floss holder is U-shaped, the base substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. 9. The dental cleaning implement of claim 8, wherein a plurality of strands of dental floss extend between the arms, the strands of dental floss being substantially parallel. 10. The dental cleaning implement of claim 6, wherein the floss holder, the handle, and the toothpick are formed as a single piece. 11. The dental cleaning implement of claim 10, wherein the angled brush is formed as a single piece along with the floss holder, the handle and the toothpick. 12. A tool for cleaning teeth, comprising: a shank defining a longitudinal axis of the tool; a dental floss holder for holding a plurality of strands of dental floss; an angled brush attached to the floss holder, the angled brush comprising a rod and bristles extending from the rod, the rod relative to the floss holder a portion of the organ is oriented at an acute angle; and A toothpick having a pointed tip, the toothpick being spaced from the floss holder such that the handle is interposed between the toothpick and the floss holder. 13. The dental cleaning implement of claim 12, wherein the wand forms an angle with a portion of the floss holder of between 20° and 50°. 14. The dental cleaning tool of claim 13, wherein the rod forms an angle of 35° with one of the arms. 15. The dental cleaning implement of claim 12, wherein said floss holder includes at least one arm, said angled brush extending from said at least one arm at an acute angle. 16. The dental cleaning implement of claim 15, wherein the arm has a proximal portion and a distal portion, the angled brush extending in a direction at least partially towards the proximal portion. 17. The dental cleaning implement of claim 12, wherein the floss holder extends from one end of the handle and the toothpick extends from an opposite end of the handle. 18. The dental cleaning implement of claim 17, wherein the bend extends between the handle and the floss holder. 19. The dental cleaning implement of claim 12, wherein said handle, said angled brush, said floss holder, and said toothpick are formed as a single piece. 20. The dental cleaning implement of claim 12, wherein the angled brush has a length of between 14mm and 22mm.