ES2373227T3 - TOOTHBRUSH. - Google Patents

Abstract

Toothbrush (1) comprising a handle (2) and a bristle-bearing head (3) attached thereto, said head comprising a bristle-bearing face (4) and an opposite face (5), characterized in that said opposite face It comprises a series of massage fins (6) similar to resilient walls.

Description

Toothbrush

The present invention relates to a toothbrush comprising fins similar to resilient walls.

WO 98/18364 (P and G) describes a toothbrush with a combination of bristles, soft cleaning pad and / or polishing fingers. The polishing fingers are preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer and the soft cleaning pad is an absorbent pad capable of providing an improved cleaning benefit.

GB-A-2 040 161 (Vowles) describes an improved toothbrush comprising, in addition to conventional bristle tufts, a rubber massage member located outside on opposite sides of the brushing surface.

WO 98/22000 (Asher) discloses a toothbrush comprising a plaque removal member that is formed of a mixture of relatively soft elastomeric material and abrasive material particles.

US 6119296 discloses a toothbrush as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

Despite the presence of prior art toothbrushes with lamellae on the bristle-bearing surface there has been no attempt to use lamellae on the rear face of the toothbrush head.

It has been surprisingly observed that having a toothbrush head with fins similar to resilient walls on the rear face of the toothbrush head establishes a large number of sensory, cosmetic and physiological benefits for the user.

Consequently, the present invention proposes a toothbrush comprising a handle and a bristle-carrying head attached thereto, said head comprising a bristle-bearing face and an opposite face, said opposite face comprising a series of wall-like massage fins resilient

The fins on the opposite side of the head allow their benefit either during conventional use of the brush, that is, during regular tooth brushing, or even as a specific action on oral care surfaces, for example, as a brightener on teeth or to achieve a scraping effect on the tongue.

Preferably, the fins comprise a resilient material such as rubber, plastic or an elastomer, more preferably a thermoplastic elastomer such as those well known in the art.

The fins of rubber-like material effect a softening action on oral care surfaces with massage of the oral surfaces during regular tooth brushing or even massage of the gums as a separate action.

The toothbrush head will typically comprise a substantially hard material in which the bristles are included. Typical materials for the toothbrush head include a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or acrylonitrile and nylon.

Therefore, the massage fins of the invention can be materially part of the brush head or independent thereof. When they comprise different materials they can be glued together to secure the fins to the brush head. The bonding can be mechanical, chemical or other. The mechanical bonding can be by means of an independent adhesive or through openings in the brush head through which the fins protrude. Chemical bonding can be through the inclusion of similar elements in each of the materials. For example, thermoplastic elastomers comprise some degree of polyolefin. Once the polyolefin element of the thermoplastic elastomer is melted, it will be chemically bonded to the polyolefin component of the head. Other bonding procedures include welding and ultrasonic treatment.

The fins can be connected or separated from each other. It is preferred that they are connected to each other to facilitate manufacturing: in this way they can be molded in one step. When connected to each other it is preferred that they be connected to a common motherboard that is attached to the head. The base plate can cover between 25 and 100% of the opposite side of the toothbrush, preferably between 25 and 95% or the specified area to be covered.

A separate base plate allows independent manufacturing of the brush head and fins. This allows changes to be made quickly and efficiently in the design. In addition, it allows adapting the same motherboard to any toothbrush design. When the base plate is detachable from the toothbrush head it is also possible to make several base plates available to the consumer so that different plates can be used in different circumstances. For example, one can be used to massage the gums while another is used to brighten the teeth or scrape the tongue of the toothbrush.

When a base plate is used, it is preferred that the base plate comprise a protuberance in the center to further extend the center fins without affecting its structural integrity and efficiency, that is, the physical dimensions of the fins are the same but in the center can be extended further thanks to the extrusion of the motherboard.

In an alternative embodiment, the protuberance can be achieved by contouring the opposite face of the brush head.

The fins will extend from the brush head to a maximum distance d. This maximum distance d is the average of the maximum distances at which the different fins extend from the brush head. The value of d is typically between 0.1 and 2 mm.

When there is a protuberance, it is preferred that the protuberance has a depth from the brush head of between 0.1 and 3d. This ensures the maintenance of the correct dimensions and the achievement of the desired sensory effect. When d is large, the opposite side of the brush has a pronounced protrusion and has an effect oriented on the surfaces of the oral cavity, for example, it allows a more concentrated effect of brightening, massage or scraping, etc.

The brush can also comprise the same resilient material on the handle or on the head. On the head, the resilient material can be used to give flexibility to the head and handle to achieve an improved grip. Therefore, the resilient material can be connected to common areas such that the material is incorporated into the brush in an injection molding stage. The connection between the sections can be hidden from view by means of channels through the material that constitutes the rest of the brush or through channels visibly present on the surface of the brush.

When the fins comprise a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) the Shore A hardness of the TPE is preferably between 15 and 65, more preferably between 25 and 55.

[0022] Preferably, the fins are separated from each other a distance equal to between 0.5 d and 2 d, preferably between 0.75 d and 1.75 d. This specific distance from the height allows the fins to have a superior sensory effect on the oral lining during use. If the fins are too far apart they will be felt individually and if they are too close to each other, their special sensory effect will not be perceived at all.

Although the fins can extend along the brush head in any direction, it is preferred that the wall-like fins extend in a direction of the main component of which is substantially transverse to the general longitudinal axis of the brush head. This allows the fins to extend their sensory effect on the oral lining when the brush travels along the teeth from a tooth to an adjacent tooth.

The fins can also extend in a curved line along the brush head. This allows the sensory effect to be realized if the user brushes with a circular motion. Said curved line is preferably arched and more preferably generally sinusoidal.

When the fins extend along the brush head in more than one direction it is preferred that at least 50%, more preferably 75% of the fins extend similarly along the brush head. If too many addresses are used, it can be difficult for the user to distinguish the individual addresses used and this means that the massage effect is less.

The fins of the toothbrush can also have a width that can vary along the fin and can be different measured at the base or at the tip, for example, the fin can taper as it moves away.

In a preferred embodiment, the average width of the fins measured at a midpoint along each length of each fin is between 0.1 and 0.7 d, preferably between 0.15 and 0.5 d.

This allows the width of the fin to be detected in the mouth during use and against the oral lining that is not as sensitive as other parts of the oral cavity. If the fin is too thick it will be poorly perceived during use and if it is too thin it will deform too easily and will not be noticed at all.

In another preferred embodiment, the maximum width of any fin along its entire length is between 0.1 and 1.5 a, preferably between 0.4 and 1.2 a. This allows an optimal effect during use and also makes the product manufactured more easily.

In another preferred embodiment, at least one fin extends over a distance equal to between 1 and 20 d, preferably between 5 and 18 d. The relationship between the distance traveled along the brush head and the distance it extends from the head may be important in establishing the optimum technical characteristics of the fin. If the fin does not travel a reasonable length along the brush head there is a risk that it will deform too easily when brushing at a curved angle along the coating

oral. A fin of considerable length compared to its distance from the following fin allows a much improved effect.

In another preferred embodiment, at least one fin is inclined toward the brush head at its edges. This reduces any scabrous sensory effect by having sharp edges rubbing against the surfaces of the oral cavity.

In another preferred embodiment, the fins of the present invention may comprise an abrasive incorporated therein. Suitable abrasives include perlite, silica, gypsum, calcined alumina and mixtures thereof. Said abrasives can be incorporated in an amount between 0.1 and 3% by weight.

In another preferred embodiment, the fins of the present invention comprise an agent that benefits from oral care incorporated therein for delayed release during use. Such oral care benefit agents include anticaries agents and antisarro agents, flavors, anti-odor agents etc.

In another embodiment, at least one fin comprises a part of the rounded tip to reduce any shear sensory effect during use. On the contrary, if a sharp sensory effect is necessary, a sharp edge can be provided for consumers who prefer to experience the sensory cutting effect. These sharp points may be directed, for example, towards or away from the tip of the brush head.

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the following non-limiting drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a toothbrush according to the invention;

Figures 2 to 7 are successive views of a brush according to the invention;

Figures 8 and 9 are side elevations of a toothbrush according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of a flexible head toothbrush according to the invention;

Figures 11 to 15 are plan views of the resilient fins on toothbrushes according to the invention;

Figure 16 is a side elevation of a brush according to the invention; Y

Figure 17 is a plan view of a head according to the invention.

In detail, Figure 1 shows a toothbrush (1) comprising a handle (2) and a bristle-carrying head (3) attached thereto, said head (3) comprising a bristle-bearing face (4) and a opposite face (5), said opposite face (5) comprising a series of massage fins (6) similar to resilient walls.

Figures 2 to 7 disclose a similar brush head comprising a series of fins, only the following fin (6) being visible. In Figure 2 the fin is symmetrical, extends a distance d from the brush head, and extends to near the full width of the brush head. In figure 3 the fin tilts at its edges. In Figure 4 there are three fins in a line that constitutes almost the entire width of the head. In Figure 5 the fin is lower in the center than at the edges. In Figure 6 the edge of the fin tip is symmetrical. In Figure 7 the fin extends only to about half the width of the head.

Figure 8 discloses a brush head comprising a series of fins. The series includes graduated fins that extend more from the brush head in the center of the series than at the edges.

Figure 9 discloses a brush head comprising a series of fins. The series includes fins of a graduated nature that extend more from the head of the brush to the tip of the head and that extend progressively less from the head to the handle.

Figure 10 discloses a flexible head toothbrush comprising a pair of head sections (3a, 3b) oriented inversely connected by a flexible region (7). Each head section (3a, 3b) has on its opposite face a series of fins (6a, 6b) similar to walls.

Figures 11 to 14 disclose various fin arrangements on the opposite side. In figure 11 the fins are arched. In Figure 12 the fins are arranged transversely to the general longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. In Figure 13 the fins are graduated being longer at the tip and becoming progressively shorter towards the end of the brush head handle. In figure 14 the fins are angled.

In Fig. 15 the brush head comprising a pair of sections oriented inversely each comprising a series of fins (6a, 6b). The fins of the brush head section have fins arranged along the general longitudinal axis of the brush head while the main section of the brush head the fins (6b) are arranged transversely to the same axis.

In Figure 16, the fins (6) are arranged on a support base (8) that protrudes in the center thereby extending the distance from the brush head without weakening the integrity of the fins in the center.

Figure 17 shows a plan view of a brush head comprising a support base (8) on which the fins (6) are located.

Figure 18 shows a fin (18a) with a wide base to anchor it to the brush head. The fin 18b is adhered straight to the base by an adhesive or otherwise, while the fin (18c) is connected to a base plate that is attached to the head.

In Figure 19 there are three fins sized differently. The fin (19a) has a rounded end, the fin 10 (19b) has a sharp point angled to one side and the fin (19c) has a centrally sharp point.

Claims (14)

one.

Toothbrush (1) comprising a handle (2) and a bristle-bearing head (3) attached thereto, said head comprising a bristle-bearing face (4) and an opposite face (5), characterized in that said opposite face It comprises a series of massage fins (6) similar to resilient walls.

2.

 Toothbrush according to claim 1, wherein the fins similar to resilient walls extend over a maximum distance d from the brush head and are separated from each other a distance equal to between 0.5 d and 2 d .

3.

 Toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fin similar to a resilient wall is made of a thermoplastic elastomer.

Four.

 Toothbrush according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the elastomer has a Shore A hardness between 15 and 45.

5.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the wall-like fins extends along the brush head in a direction substantially transverse to a general longitudinal axis of the brush head.

6.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the wall-like fins extends in a curve along the brush head.

7.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least half of the wall-like fins extend in substantially the same direction along the brush head.

8.

 Toothbrush according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the average width of one of the wall-like fins measured at a midpoint or along any length of the wall is between 0.1 and 0.7 d.

9.

 Toothbrush according to claim 8, wherein the width of any one of the wall-like salts along its entire length is between 0.1 a and 1.5 a.

10.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the wall-like fins is tapered in cross section towards its tip.

eleven.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one wall-like fin extends over an average distance between 1 and 20 d.

12.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one wall-like fin is inclined toward the brush head at its edges.

13.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one wall-like fin comprises a flavor incorporated therein for delayed release during brushing.

14.

 Toothbrush according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one wall-like fin comprises an abrasive selected from the group consisting of perlite, silica, gypsum, calcined alumina and mixtures thereof.