EP0893958B1 - Brush for gum massage and tooth cleaning and process for producing the bristles of such a brush - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a brush for gum massage and tooth cleaning, consisting of a bristle holder with Handle and attached to the bristle holder individually or in bundles Bristles made of plastic.

Oral hygiene today not only includes tooth cleaning, but also the gum massage Prevention of gingivitis, periodontal disease, etc. Toothbrushes usual type, whether manually or electrically driven, do the job of cleaning teeth sufficiently, but not that of the gum massage, in particular if both effects on a single trajectory should be achieved. So for teeth cleaning, especially the interdental spaces, the bristle ends particularly effective, but often for gum massage too aggressive, especially if they are not working properly are rounded or flattened by use. For the gum massage, however, the pressure should be and the trajectory are chosen so that the Fold bristles and with their outer surface a kind Effect stroke massage. But they are in this position in turn, far less effective and for tooth cleaning even unsuitable for cleaning the interdental spaces.

An effective gum massage is therefore only with Special equipment possible, their work surface usually consists of rubber-elastic materials and nub-like is profiled (GB 398 919, US 1 892 068). These devices are now completely unsuitable for cleaning teeth. It is therefore for complete oral hygiene in any case perform two operations, if necessary even use two different devices. This is cumbersome with the result that such gum massagers could not introduce.

Toothbrushes are also known in practice Bristle trim in the different directions Brushing the teeth and massaging the gums adapted is. Such a toothbrush has one in comparison hard medium trimmings and more flexible outdoors Massage bristles on. This is inevitable to a compromise, the allocation of different Bristle areas to the treatment areas assigned to them -Tooth or gums- by the user is not easily possible. In addition, this compromise each by reducing the one effect Cost of the other closed.

A known toothbrush follows this principle (DE-U-295 01 338), in addition to the usual straight bristles Pole threads are attached to the bristle holder. Are pile threads flaccid textile fibers that go through with this toothbrush thermal shrinkage are curled. These pile threads cannot develop a cleaning effect like bristles.

The invention has for its object a brush for Propose gum massage that equally effectively doing teeth cleaning.

This object is achieved in that the bristles are more pronounced, wart-like Wave crests with a short wavelength transverse to theirs Axis are wavy.

The bristle designed according to the invention, like any other conventional bristle has a rounded working end that equally for cleaning teeth and for gum massage - acts as a kind of massage finger. In addition, the unavoidable transfer of the Bristle the wart-like crest in a similar way Wise act like the bristle ends, both at teeth cleaning, as well as gum massage. With appropriate pressure on the bristle trim, in which the bristles fold, so are on everyone individual engaged bristle several at the same time Wave crest cleansing and / or massaging effect. So it can be done in a single pass Device the necessary for proper oral hygiene Take action.

Because of the corrugation of the bristles, they become labyrinthine Channels formed between the individual bristles in which Dental care products are stored excellently. This applies in particular to the gels frequently used today, which are pressed into the gaps during application can be. For toothbrushes with conventional bristles Such gels drip due to their low viscosity frequently and lead to corresponding losses. On the other hand, such a brush can be easily rinsed out and dry the bristles and bristle spaces also quickly, so that dirt and bacteria are not can nest.

In a preferred embodiment, the bristles are in two or more levels corrugated, which ensures that regardless of how the bristle turns when cleaning, wart-like crests always come into effect.

While with a usual circular cross section of a bristle the wave crests are more or less rounded, can with a cross-section deviating from the circular shape on the one hand, preferred bending planes are generated, on the other hand, the wave crests are more pronounced. For example, the bristles can be oval Cross section, but preferably a polygonal cross section with rounded longitudinal edges. As polygonal cross section is particularly useful cross-shaped cross section.

The effect of the bristles designed according to the invention can also be determined by the geometry of the individual shaft influence. For example, the wavelength can be 1 to 10 times the bristle diameter, but is advantageously between 1 and 5 times. In In a preferred embodiment, the wavelength is smaller than twice the bristle diameter.

Furthermore, the wave height, i.e. the distance opposite Wave crest, be as small as possible. Preferably it is 1.2 to 2 times the bristle diameter.

Finally, the shape of the crest of the wave is from Meaning, with angular wave crests are preferred over rounded ones.

It is known for wire brushes and brushes that to use used wire pins, but stand here Reasons for stability and the abrasive effect in the foreground (US 1 178 179, DE-U-79 06 716). Furthermore, hairpin bristles known (US 2,511,004), which consist of plastic, however in their natural bristle form if possible should come close. These bristles are profiled with long waves and pointed at their ends. You are in the first Line designed for paintbrushes and paintbrushes. The production this bristle is made in that starting from an endless monofilament of this at regular intervals is constricted by tensile forces. Then be cut the bristles, each in the area the constriction so that a single bristle with two tapered ends is formed. This single bristle is then replaced by perpendicular to each other Form roller pairs, which are arranged at a distance, passed through. To axially twist the bristle The aim is to avoid the influence of the forming forces with simultaneous application of heat. This is absolutely unacceptable with bristles, because with the Formation of the bristles from endless monofilaments becomes the monofilaments stretched, if necessary still thermally stabilized, to align the macromolecules and thereby the Bristle has the required flexibility with sufficient To give stiffness. These characteristics go with a subsequent thermal treatment due to the Reorientation lost.

It is known in the manufacture of flaky textile fibers (US-A-3 425 206), a multifilament which is sectionally is curled to pull through toothed form rollers to crimp the yarn. It does not depend on the exactness the crimp, still on the position opposite the Garnachse on.

The invention has for its object a method for the production of the bristles designed according to the invention to propose, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are avoided become.

The method according to the invention is therefore distinguished characterized in that a continuous plastic monofilament through the Form rollers passed through and behind the form rollers a spool is wound, the monofilament with Relative to its axis by the coils against rotation is held, and that the bristles by cutting the wavy endless monofilament.

The endless monofilament is preferably made by means of the forming rolls withdrawn from a spool. Instead it is also possible to create the endless monofilament in to feed the form rolls to an extruder. The curl takes place without additional heat from the outside.

The monofilament is preferably between at least two with the smallest possible distance immediately behind one another Form roller pairs passed to the to form a pronounced wave crest irreversibly.

If the monofilament between two pairs of form rollers with led through in pairs at an angle to each other, so there can be a curl in two planes to reach. In the same way is by means of three pairs of form rollers with pairs at an angle to each other Axes can be curled in three planes.

Instead, several continuous plastic monofilaments can be used at the same time spaced apart by means of the Pulled form rolls from a spool and behind the Form rolls are wound on a spool, whereby here too the single monofilament with reference to its axis is held against rotation.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the endless monofilament between pairs of form rollers from 10 to 20mm, whose Center distance from each other is approximately the same size, passed become.

Figur 1

eine abgebrochene Seitenansicht einer Bürste zur Zahnfleischmassage und Zahnreinigung;

Figur 2

eine schematische Ansicht der Arbeitsweise der Bürste am Gebiß;

Figur 3

eine vergrößerte Teilansicht einer Borste der Bürste bei der Zahnfleischmassage;

Figur 4

einen Längsabschnitt einer gewellten Borste;

Figur 5

einen Querschnitt der Borste gemäß Figur 4;

Figur 6

einen Längsabschnitt einer Borste mit einer anderen Wellenform;

Figur 7

einen Längsabschnitt einer Borste mit einer Wellenform ähnlich Figur 4;

Figur 8

einen Längsabschnitt einer Borste mit einer weiteren abgewandelten Wellenform;

Figur 9 bis 12

verschiedene Querschnittsformen der Borste;

Figur 13

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung der gewellten Borste und

Figur 14

eine Draufsicht auf die Formrollen der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 13.

The invention is described below with reference to some exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

a broken side view of a brush for gum massage and tooth cleaning;

Figure 2

a schematic view of the operation of the brush on the bit;

Figure 3

an enlarged partial view of a bristle of the brush during the gum massage;

Figure 4

a longitudinal portion of a corrugated bristle;

Figure 5

a cross section of the bristle according to Figure 4;

Figure 6

a longitudinal portion of a bristle with a different waveform;

Figure 7

a longitudinal section of a bristle with a waveform similar to Figure 4;

Figure 8

a longitudinal section of a bristle with a further modified waveform;

Figure 9 to 12

different cross-sectional shapes of the bristle;

Figure 13

is a schematic side view of a device for producing the corrugated bristle and

Figure 14

a plan view of the form rollers of the device according to Figure 13.

In Figure 1 is a brush for gum massage and Dental cleaning shown, which consists of a handle 1, a Bristle holder serving head 2 and a variety individually standing bristles 3 is formed. The bristles 3 can possibly also combined into bundles or packages his. All or part of the bristles are included short wavelength wavy. Your usage ends 4 can, as in the embodiment shown, the Following the waveform be bent out of the bristle axis.

It is readily apparent that the wart-like Wave crest active edges during gum massage form as indicated in Figure 2. It will therefore preferably a gum massage exerted such pressure that the bristles from her stretched position and the crest of the wave come into effect. When brushing the teeth, however, can worked with this or a reduced pressure be so that the bristles stand up and the use ends 4 come into effect. Due to the Curvature at the ends on the usage side will be particular the interdental spaces are also effectively cleaned.

In Figure 3 is a bristle 3 during use of the Brush shown on an enlarged scale. It can be seen like the wart-like crests of the kind of Apply massage nubs to the gums.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged partial view of a bristle 3, which is corrugated evenly sinusoidal, so that wart-like Wave crests 5 and troughs 6 arise. While the wave apex 5 the effective work surfaces form the bristle, the troughs take 6 dentifrices or the like. The bristle according to Figure 4 can Have cross section according to Figure 5, that is, two perpendicular planes facing each other must be corrugated so that wart-like crests on the surface of the bristle 5 extend in the direction of all four coordinates.

In Figure 6 is a bristle with a modified wave shape shown. The wave edges run essentially straight and the wart-like crests 5 point a much smaller radius of curvature. At this embodiment corresponds approximately to the wavelength the bristle diameter, as indicated by the letter "D".

Figure 7 shows a bristle similar to Figure 4 with a Wavelength about twice the bristle diameter corresponds. Figure 8 in turn shows a bristle with relative elongated shaft and straight flanks 7 and even more pronounced wave crests 5 with whole small radius of curvature. The wavelength is at this bristle is about 4 times the bristle diameter.

In Figures 13 and 14 is a device for performing of the method according to the invention schematically indicated. It has a supply spool 10 on which an endless monofilament 11 made of plastic is wound up. Further it has a collecting coil 12 for receiving the corrugated Monofilament 13. The monofilament 11 runs through three in a row arranged form rollers or pairs of form rollers 14, 15 and 16, the extent of which corresponds to the desired Waveform (Figures 4 to 8) are profiled. The Axes of the form roller pairs 14, 15 and 16, of which the Axles of at least one pair are driven arranged immediately one behind the other so that they are just don't touch. They are also 60 ° each rotated against each other, as shown in Figure 14.

The form rollers preferably have a diameter of 10 to 20mm on and the distance between their axes, as well as the axes of the adjacent form roller pairs 14, 15 and 16 is only insignificant, namely about the Monofilament diameter larger. This way, a obtained corrugated monofilament 13, the crest of the wave in three different axial planes of the bristle.

Claims (17)

1. Brush for gum massage and tooth cleaning, comprising a bristle support with handle (1) and plastic monofilament bristles (3) fixed individually or in bundles to the bristle carrier, characterized in that the bristles (3) are undulated transversely to the axis thereof, accompanied by the formation of pronounced, stud-like undulation tops (5) and with a short undulation length.
2. Brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristles (3) are undulated in two or more planes.
3. Brush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bristles (3) have a cross-section diverging from the circular shape.
4. Brush according to claim 3, characterized in that the bristles (3) have an oval cross-section.
5. Brush according to claim 3, characterized in that the bristles (3) have a polygonal cross-section with rounded longitudinal edges.
6. Brush according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the undulation length is 1 to 10 times the bristle diameter and is advantageously 1 to 5 times the same.
7. Brush according to claim 6, characterized in that the undulation length is preferably smaller than twice the bristle diameter.
8. Brush according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the undulation height is 1.2 to twice the bristle diameter.
9. Brush according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least the undulation tops (5) are stamped out in angular form.
10. Method for the manufacture of bristles according to one of the claims 1 to 9, with at least two shaping rolls cooperating in gear-like manner and between which is passed the plastic monofilament bristle and is thereby undulated, characterized in that a plastic continuous monofilament is passed through the shaping rolls and behind the latter is wound onto a drum, the monofilament being held in twist-prevented manner with respect to its axis and that the bristles are produced by cutting the undulated continuous monofilament to length.
11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the endless monofilament is drawn from a drum by means of the shaping rolls.
12. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that following the production of the continuous monofilament in an extruder it is supplied to the shaping rolls.
13. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the monofilament is passed between at least two minimum spaced, directly succeeding shaping roll pairs.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the monofilament is passed between two shaping roll pairs with spindles arranged at an angle to one another in pairs.
15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the monofilament is passed between three shaping roll pairs with spindles at an angle to one another in pairs.
16. Method according to one of the claims 10 to 15, characterized in that several plastic continuous monofilaments guided in spaced, juxtaposed manner by means of the shaping rolls are drawn from a drum and are wound onto a drum behind the shaping rolls, the individual monofilament being held in twist-prevented manner with respect to its axis.
17. Method according to one of the claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the continuous monofilament is passed between shaping roll pairs of 10 to 20 mm, whose mutual axial spacing is roughly identical.

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