RU2316241C2 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: sanitary and hygienic articles.

SUBSTANCE: toothbrush has handle and head attached to handle. Head is made in the form of base equipped with upward extending wall for defining of peripheral carcass. Membrane is positioned on carcass so as to define inner cavity between base, wall and membrane proper. Cleaning members are fixed on membrane. Membrane may be bent for changing its shape during usage and may be unbent for recovering its initial shape. Two versions of embodiment of toothbrush and two versions of methods for manufacturing said toothbrush are described in Specification.

EFFECT: improved tooth cleaning quality owing to increased flexibility of cleaning members and provision for engagement thereof with teeth front and upper sides.

30 cl, 16 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a toothbrush that is brushed manually, or to a toothbrush equipped with a drive comprising a handle and a head. Cleaning elements, such as tufts of bristles, are attached to the head. After applying the toothpaste to the cleaning elements, the consumer inserts the brush head into the mouth and brushes the teeth in a known manner.

The head of a conventional toothbrush typically has a flat or slightly variable surface to which cleaning elements are attached. Typically, bristles made of polymeric material (s) formed in the form of bunches or other groups are used as cleaning elements. Groups of bristles are attached to the head either before or after molding the handle of the toothbrush.

Various attempts have been made to provide flexibility in fixing the bristles. Various approaches have been taken in which the head surface bearing the bristles was not flat.

US Pat. No. 1,688,581, for example, describes a toothbrush in which a bristle-bearing member is normally concave into a hollow head. An element carrying bristles can be bent out by manipulating a wire mounted in a toothbrush.

US Pat. No. 5,484,722 describes a toothbrush with an elastic flexible support carrying bristles parallel to the handle. Various embodiments of a toothbrush include those in which the supports are curved inward or outward.

US Pat. No. 5,325,560 relates to an orthodontic toothbrush comprising various rows of bristles, including rows of bristles mounted in the middle in the longitudinal direction, mounted on a flexible member above an air pocket.

US Pat. No. 5,799,354 describes a toothbrush with a swing structure in which parts of the base are interconnected by hinges. The toothbrush also contains a hollow space under the parts of the base.

US Pat. No. 5,454,133 describes a toothbrush comprising a closed passage system for an incompressible medium, such as compressed gas, that passes under the base elements that carry bristles.

US Pat. No. 6,088,870 describes a toothbrush head with elastically attached bristles by using a flexible elastic lattice structure so that the bristles deflect during the brushing process, adapting to various curved tooth surfaces.

US Pat. No. 3,232,343 describes blocks containing groups of bristles attached to a flexible wire attached to a rigid toothbrush head (page 1, column 2, lines 45-55). Thanks to the flexibility of this carrier wire, the bristles fit snugly during brushing.

US Pat. No. 2,708,625 describes a collapsible toothbrush bristle holder that bends up and down relative to the longitudinal axis of the body of the toothbrush. The position of this flexible element changes when using a brush. This helps to increase the brush pressure on the teeth, and moving the brush allows the brush to be brought into contact with the teeth with varying degrees of fit (column 2, lines 15-18).

US Pat. No. 4,520,526 describes a toothbrush comprising a flexible portion in a handle, the presence of which allows the head to move relative to the handle of the toothbrush in one plane. This patent proposes, at the expense of flexibility, to exclude the possibility of damage to delicate dental material and gum tissue (column 1, lines 42-44). Similar designs of the toothbrush, in which the flexibility of the head is ensured and thus the abrasion of the dental material and gums is reduced, are discussed in US Pat. No. 5,146,645.

Other approaches for flexibly attaching toothbrush elements are described in US Pat. Nos. 3,555,546 and 5,839,149. In these patents, it is proposed to place the head of the toothbrush below the surface of the bite of the teeth in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the teeth. The brush head, oriented in this way, contains short bristles in the middle of the head, which are pressed against the surface of the bite, as a result of which the longer external bristles, turning, mate with the side of the teeth and the gum line.

US Pat. No. 5,987,690 describes a toothbrush containing bonds between a handle and a head, by means of which the head deflection is improved so that the free ends of the bristles maintain parallelism with respect to the handle when using the brush.

US Pat. No. 6,003,189 describes a flexible portion of a toothbrush located between a handle and a head designed to absorb part of the force exerted by a user on a toothbrush. Elastic shock absorbers are inserted into this area to deflect the head to the inoperative position.

US Pat. No. 6,141,817 describes a toothbrush head with a central longitudinal axis located beneath the middle of a flexible element containing bristles. The central axis limits the deformation of the middle of the flexible element. The head on each side of the central axis, balancing, tilts so that it provides the possibility of greater movement of the flexible element and, thus, the deflection of the outer bristles. Outward deviation improves the penetration of the bristles into the interdental spaces (column 2, lines 40-46).

European Patent Publication No. 0454625 A1 describes a cam in the handle of a toothbrush that can be used to change the angular position of the head relative to the handle.

Other attempts previously made in the art to provide a form of mobility for the cleaning elements are described in US Pat. No. 5,228,466 and WO 90/01281, which disclose a toothbrush in which the handle and head are articulated in the longitudinal direction so as to create displaceable bristles, widely spaced relative to a number of teeth.

US Pat. No. 1,616,484 describes a toothbrush articulated along the length of the handle so that two spaced apart sections of the head can be positioned with their backs facing each other. US Pat. No. 1,616,484 describes an articulated toothbrush that can be used to brush teeth in three different directions. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,528,782 and 5,259,083 describe bristles fixed to swing. US Pat. No. 5,799,354 describes the use of a hollow space to provide an articulated effect. US Pat. No. 1924152 describes a toothbrush containing rows of rubber bristles. US Pat. No. 3,01644 describes a toothbrush containing rows of bristles attached to rubber tongues.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 421843 shows a toothbrush in which surfaces bearing bristles are not located in the same plane.

US Pat. No. 4,240,452 describes a toothbrush with an elastic base, in which a plate carrying bristles is fixed over rubber tubes.

A number of patents describe certain devices for massage of teeth and / or gums containing non-planar surfaces. For example, UK patent No. 524135 describes a gum massage device comprising a hollow rubber head filled with air to provide an air cushion for gum massage elements. US Pat. No. 1,058,273 discloses a massage device comprising internal air space. US Pat. No. 2,148,483 describes a massage apparatus for teeth and gums and a device containing a cavity filled with air. US Pat. No. 2,176,309 also describes a gum massage apparatus containing air pockets.

Various patents also describe hard brushes having domed outer surfaces. Examples of these patents are US patents No. 3739419, No. 4500939 and No. 5581840.

Similarly, in US patent No. Des. 892299 describes a toilet brush with a convex surface bearing bristles.

An object of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush head containing a surface bearing cleaning elements, having a domed or trumpet shape to provide increased flexibility for the cleaning elements.

An additional objective of the present invention is the creation of a toothbrush, in which the head can be rotated relative to the hinge axis collinear to the longitudinal axis of the head.

Another additional objective of the present invention is the creation of such a toothbrush, which uses cleaning elements that can envelop the edges of the teeth for simultaneous contact with both the front and upper sides of the teeth.

Another additional objective of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing such a toothbrush.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the toothbrush comprises a handle, a head attached to the handle and having dimensions suitable for use in the user's oral cavity, the head being made in the form of a base having an upwardly directed wall to form a peripheral frame, a thin elastic membrane of elastomeric material, having a peripheral periphery corresponding to the shape of the peripheral frame, and the membrane is mounted directly on the specified frame by fixing the peripheral the membrane to the frame for the formation of an internal cavity between the membrane and the base and the wall, the wall having attachment surfaces for receiving and securing the circumferential periphery of the membrane to the inner portion of the frame and for enclosing the cavity in the head, the attachment surfaces being inclined inward relative to the cavity, the membrane has the initial state when the toothbrush is not used, and the membrane in the initial state is convex and has the initial domed shape, necks least one cleaning element on the membrane extending outwardly from the head, the membrane can be bent by changing its original shape during use of the toothbrush and then recovering to the original shape randomly during use of the toothbrush.

Preferably, the cleaning elements are bristles attached to the membrane by molding technology.

In a preferred embodiment, the toothbrush head is oval and the membrane is also oval. The membrane is convex in both its longitudinal and transverse directions.

Preferably, the cleaning elements are tufts of bristles.

The toothbrush section may include powered cleaning elements.

At least part of the bristles of the head is made in the form of a trump so as to ensure easy deformation of the bristles during use, which improves their contact with the teeth and brushing. The pressure exerted on the bristles when brushing the teeth provides a deflection of the head along with the bristles, but the flexible head is designed to return to its original position as soon as the pressure on the bristles is relieved. During the transition from high pressure to no pressure on the handle, the bristles remain in constant contact with the teeth due to the flexibility inherent in the head of the toothbrush.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a simplified and efficient method for manufacturing a toothbrush is provided, comprising forming a head with a base portion containing an upwardly directed wall to create a frame including a peripheral surface of attachment to the wall, the attachment surface inclined inward relative to the cavity, and a handle attached to the head attaching the surface bearing the bristles to the frame so that it is attached to the peripheral surface of the mount, the surface bearing schaya bristles is dome shaped diaphragm made of elastomeric material, the attachment of the dome of the membrane to the peripheral wall surface of the attachment so that the membrane and the wall of said cavity is covered, and fastening the bristles to the membrane zaformovki technology.

According to the method, bristles can be attached to the membrane, and the membrane can be attached to the head before molding the handle, or after molding the handle, or during molding of the handle.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a toothbrush comprising a handle and a head, the head comprising an open area partially covered by the elastomeric part, the elastomeric part containing a portion protruding from the open area to the head, the elastomeric material being easily deformed into the open area and into protruding area to change its initial orientation during use of the toothbrush, and then restored to take its original orientation after using toothbrush, and the head contains cleaning elements on the elastomeric part in the open area and in the protruding section, while the handle includes an open area at least partially surrounded by the elastomeric part, and the elastomeric material is easily amenable to deformation in the open area of the handle.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a toothbrush comprises forming a head and a handle attached to the head, the head portion comprising an open region partially surrounded by an elastomeric portion, the elastomeric portion comprising a portion protruding from the open region into the head, the portion being easy to amenable to deformation in the open area and in the protruding part, while the handle includes an open area at least partially surrounded by an elastomeric part, the elastomeric material The yielding is easy to deform into the open area of the handle, attaching the cleaning elements to the elastomeric part in the open area and in the protruding part by molding technology.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a toothbrush comprising a handle, a head attached to a handle, the head having a longitudinal axis, a hinge element extending collinearly to the longitudinal axis and dividing the head into two longitudinal sections located side by side, connected to the hinge element moreover, the hinge element is bounded by the head, and a plurality of cleaning elements on each of the sections protruding outward from the sections in the direction from the longitudinal axis, the hinge element forming a hinge axis, made of an elastic material acting as a spring, while the sections are rotated from their original position and returned to their original position, and the longitudinal sections located side by side form an obtuse angle relative to each other in the initial position.

In a preferred application of this embodiment of the invention, each of the side-by-side sections comprises inner rows of cleaning elements and outer rows of cleaning elements.

In this case, the inner row of cleaning elements is installed in the inner container, and the outer row of cleaning elements is installed in the outer container located along the side and attached to the inner container.

The end ends of the inner rows of the cleaning elements form a wedge directed towards the hinge axis. The end ends of the inner rows of the cleaning elements form an obtuse angle relative to each other.

The outer rows of the cleaning elements are made longer than the inner rows of the cleaning elements.

Preferably, the inner rows of the cleaning elements have gaps in each of the inner rows, and the gaps in the rows are offset relative to each other to form a checkerboard pattern. In this case, the inner rows of cleaning elements are bristles fixed by molding technology.

The outer rows of cleaning elements are plaque bristles set in one row.

Preferably, the bristles of each row, secured by the molding technology, are installed in the molding container extending to the distal end of the head, and the bristles for plaque removal of each row are installed in the bristle container located along the side, and attached to the molding container in each of the sections, moreover, the molding containers extend farther from the handle than the containers for the bristles, and the side plate adjoins in the longitudinal direction to each of the containers for the bristles and is located otiv of the forming container on the remaining length of the forming container in each of the sections, to create a smooth continuous outer side surface of the head in each of the sections.

The molding containers and side plates are made of flexible material, and the inner containers are made of soft flexible material in one piece with the hinge element.

Preferably, the molding containers are integrally formed with the hinge element, and the bristle containers are made of rigid plastic material.

In this case, the inner containers extend outward from the handle at a greater distance than the outer containers, and each of the sections contains a side plate that is longitudinally adjacent to the outer container and located against the inner container for the rest of the length of the inner container, to create a smooth continuous outer side surface of the head in each section.

Preferably, the handle comprises a portion with a recess for holding it.

1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows a side view of the toothbrush shown in figure 1;

figure 3 shows a front view of the toothbrush shown in figures 1 and 2;

figure 4 shows a cross section 4-4 in figure 3;

figure 5 shows a front view of a toothbrush according to the present invention, equipped with a drive;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a toothbrush provided with elastic areas in the head and handle to allow the brush, bristles and handle to be deflected for better brushing and adjustment, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

in Fig.7 shows a side view of the toothbrush shown in Fig.6;

on Fig shows a top view of the toothbrush shown in Fig.6-7;

figure 9 shows a side view of the toothbrush shown in figure 6, which shows the deviation in the open area under the bristles and in the handle area;

figure 10 shows a top view of a toothbrush equipped with a drive, according to a variant implementation of the present invention, shown in Fig.6-9;

11 is a perspective view of a toothbrush according to another another embodiment of the present invention;

in Fig.12 shows a side view of the toothbrush shown in Fig.11;

in Fig.13 shows a top view of the toothbrush shown in Fig.11-12;

on Fig shows an end view of the toothbrush shown in Fig.11-13, in its original closed position;

in Fig.15 shows a cross section 15-15 in Fig.13, but with the brush head in its deployed open position and with some cleaning elements removed;

on Fig shows a front view of a toothbrush equipped with a drive, according to a variant implementation of the present invention shown in Fig.11-15.

Figures 1-4 show a toothbrush 10 made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the toothbrush 10 comprises a handle 12 and a head 14. The handle 12 may comprise a corresponding holding pad 16 made of elastomeric material. The invention, however, is mainly directed to the construction of the head 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the head 14 comprises a base 18 with an upwardly directed wall 20 to form a peripheral frame protruding upward above the base 18. According to the present invention, a membrane 22 is attached to the frame 20 along its edges. The membrane 22 in its original state, when not used with a brush, has a convex or curved outward shape, as is best shown in FIG. 4. The bulge preferably takes place both in the longitudinal and transverse directions, thus forming a domed outer surface 24 to which the cleaning elements 26 are attached.

The invention in all embodiments is particularly suitable for cleaning elements in the form of hairs or bristles attached by means of a forming method which generally requires small cross-sections of material in which the bristles are permanently attached. The bristles for which bracing technology is used are preferably attached during molding of the handle of the toothbrush, or at least during the molding of the head representing the portion of the toothbrush to which the bristles and other materials are attached. The main feature of the invention shown in figures 1-4 and figure 5, is the use of a material having a thin cross section for the manufacture of the membrane 22. The membrane 22 is flexible and elastic. The cross section shown, for example, in FIG. 4, is shaped like a crescent and thus represents a dome-like shape.

Due to the free space 28 between the base 18 and the membrane, the membrane can be deformed, moving it from its original dome-shaped to other forms when the cleaning elements, or bristles, 26 come into contact with the teeth. Thus, the dome 22 has a thin membrane of material or a combination of materials that can be bent to give it a modified shape different from its original shape, and it can restore its original shape arbitrarily during cleaning. The bristles 26 are attached to the flexible dome and move accordingly, forming an arbitrary topology, and this improves the quality of brushing. Movable bristles have a greater degree of freedom of movement than other toothbrushes, and thanks to this, a device for cleaning teeth has distinctive and unusual properties.

In the shown embodiment of the present invention, the head 14 (see FIG. 3) is substantially oval and the membrane 22 is correspondingly oval.

As cleaning elements 26, cleaning elements of any suitable form can be used with the widespread use of the present invention. The term “cleaning elements” is intended to be used in a broad interpretation, which may include conventional hair bristles or massage elements, or other forms of cleaning elements, for example elastomeric rods or walls of circular cross section, or any desired shape, including straight sections or sinusoidal sections. If bristles are used, they can be attached to the bundle blocks or to sections by passing them through the corresponding holes in the bundle blocks so that the base of the bristles are fixed at / or below the bundle blocks and under the membrane 22.

It should be borne in mind that specific examples of cleaning elements are given here just for illustration. The invention can be applied by using different combinations of the same or different cleaning elements (for example, fixed with brackets or molded bristles, technology without fixing the bristles, etc.) and / or by using bristles or cleaning elements from the same materials (for example, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, although the cleaning elements shown in FIG. 2 are generally arranged perpendicular to the outer surface 24 of the membrane 22 or the head 14, some or all of the cleaning elements may be inclined at different angles with respect to the outer surface of the head 14. Thus, it is possible to choose a combination of configurations of cleaning elements, materials and directions to achieve the specifically desired results, to provide additional benefits in the improvement of the oral cavity, for example, improved cleaning, polyro anija, tooth whitening and / or massaging of the gums.

However, it is preferable that the cleaning elements 26 be molded bristles, since for forming the bristles a material is required in which the hairs are fixed with small cross-sectional dimensions, and the membrane 22 in the preferred embodiment of the invention has a small cross-section.

Although FIGS. 1-3 show a membrane 22, occupying substantially the entire head 14, the invention can also be practiced when the head 14 is sufficiently large and may contain other surfaces bearing bristles adjacent to the domed membrane 22 forms.

Although Figs. 1-4 depict a toothbrush that is used to brush teeth manually, the invention can also be used if the head contains one or more movable sections carrying cleaning elements driven by mechanical or electrical means. Such a movable section may be provided with oscillatory motion in a rotational mode, or linear oscillatory motion may be reported in the longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head, or linear oscillatory motion may be reported in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable section can report oscillatory movement in and out in the direction to and from the outer surface of the head. The movable section can report oscillatory movement back and forth relative to the outer surface of the head. A continuous rotational movement in the same direction can be reported to the movable section rather than oscillatory. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used to communicate the movable section to the desired movement. If multiple movable sections are used, then all movable sections may be informed of the same types and directions of movement, or combinations of different movements may be used.

Figure 5 shows a toothbrush 10A containing a driven mechanically movable disc or section 30 containing cleaning elements. The movable disk 30 may indicate oscillatory motion in a rotational mode, for example, by using a drive mechanism of the type described in US Pat. No. 5,625,916, or inward and outward motion can be reported using a drive mechanism of the type described in US Pat. No. Re. 35941 (all details of both patents are incorporated into this application by reference). In alternative embodiments, using other types of devices other than those referenced above, the section 30 can be moved in other ways and in different directions. Although FIG. 5 shows a movable section 30 located at a distant end of the head, the movable section (s) may be located at any desired location on the head.

The handle 12, the base 18 and the frame 20 are preferably made of hard plastic materials used to make toothbrushes, which are used to brush teeth manually. However, as noted above, the distinctive feature of the domed membrane 22 is that it is made of a flexible, resilient material, for example, an elastomer, which can be removed from its original position, and then can be returned to this original position.

The membrane 22 may be attached to the frame 20 in any suitable manner. So, for example, the frame 20 may include surfaces inclined inward to receive the membrane 22. Other structural devices can be used in the practice of the present invention to secure the membrane 22 to the head 14.

6-9, a manual toothbrush 110 is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a previous embodiment in which a trump-type construction is used to provide up and down movement. As shown in this figure, the toothbrush 110 comprises a handle 112 and a head 114. The handle 112 may comprise a suitable portion 116 made of an elastomeric material. This elastomeric part of the handle is preferably molded with an open region 118, which the consumer can easily deform. The elastomeric portion 116 on the upper side of the handle 112 (see FIGS. 6, 7 and 9) is compressed under the pressure of the user's fingers to provide better grip of the handle and at the same time to provide greater convenience in holding the handle. Figure 9 shows this elastomeric portion 116 of the handle 112 in a compressed state. The downward arrow in this figure shows the pressure exerted by the user of the toothbrush. The open area 118 is thus minimized. As soon as the user relieves pressure, due to the properties of the elastomeric part 116 of the handle 112, the elastomeric material returns to the handle its original shape, shown in Fig.6.

A similar flexible deformable open area 120 is created in the head by incorporating the elastomeric part 122 into the open area 120 located in the head. Cleaning elements 124 are located on the elastomeric part of the head and are attached to it by known technologies, including molding technology. The attachment of the bristles using molding technology is preferably carried out during the formation of the handle of the toothbrush or at least during the molding of the elastomeric part 122 of the head 114.

During use of the brush, the pressure exerted by the user of the toothbrush causes a similar pressure of the teeth on the cleaning elements 124, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9. This causes a deviation of the elastomeric part 122 of the head 114, which, in turn, causes a reorientation of the cleaning elements relative to the teeth that are brushed by this brush. When the user reduces the pressure created by him, the open area 120 of the head 114 is opened, forcing the cleaning elements to follow the shape of the teeth that are being cleaned, and thus the process of brushing the teeth is improved. When the user completely relieves the toothbrush of pressure, the open area 120 returns to its original shape.

The elastomeric part 122 of the head 114 must be made of a material or combination of materials that can be bent so that this part takes on a different shape from the original shape, and that it is restored to its original shape at random during brushing. Cleaning elements, such as bristles, are attached to the flexible membrane, creating a flexible orientation of the cleaning elements 124, which improves the cleaning process of the teeth. Movable bristles have significant degrees of freedom of movement and this ensures an effective toothbrushing process.

As the cleaning elements 124, cleaning elements of any suitable shape can be used with the widespread use of the present invention, as described in the embodiments with reference to FIGS. 1-5. It should be borne in mind that specific examples of cleaning elements are given here just for illustration. The invention can be applied by using different combinations of the same or different cleaning elements (for example, fixed with brackets or molded bristles, technology without fixing the bristles, etc.) and / or by using bristles or cleaning elements from the same materials (for example, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, although the cleaning elements shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 are mainly perpendicular to the elastomeric surface 122 of the head 114, some or all of the cleaning elements may be inclined at different angles. Thus, it is possible to choose a combination of configurations of cleaning elements, materials and directions to achieve the specifically desired results, to provide additional benefits in improving the oral cavity, for example, improved brushing, polishing, teeth whitening and / or gum massage.

Parts of the handle 112 and head 114 may be made of hard plastic material used to make toothbrushes that brush teeth manually. However, as noted above, a distinctive feature of this toothbrush is the use of elastomeric parts 116 of the handle and / or elastomeric part 122 of the head 114, for example an elastomer that can be brought out of its original position and which then returns to its original position.

The present invention can also be used in embodiments in which the head 114 comprises one or more movable sections carrying cleaning elements driven by mechanical or electrical means.

Figure 10 shows a toothbrush 110A containing driven by an electric drive movable disk or section 150 containing cleaning elements. The movable section 150 may be similar to the section 30 shown in FIG. Although FIG. 10 shows a movable section 150 that is located at one end of the head, as in FIG. 5, the movable section (s) may be located at any desired location on the head.

In another embodiment, the toothbrush comprises a head, longitudinally divided into regions located side by side, by means of a flexible hinge element that serves as a spring and is designed to return the materials of the brush head and cleaning areas to their original position. 11-13, a toothbrush 210 is shown comprising an elongated handle 212 and a head 214. A portion of the handle 212 may be provided with a recess in an area 216 located between the shoulders 218 and 220, for which the brush is held. The shoulder 218 can protrude outward for a substantial distance so that it can be used as a hook or shoulder for the convenience of hanging the toothbrush in an inverted state.

The head 214 and handle 212 have an elongated shape and a longitudinal axis. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the head 214 comprises a hinge element 222 extending collinearly along the longitudinal or main axis of the handle and head of the toothbrush. As a result of this, the head 214 is divided into two longitudinal sections 224, 226, located side by side, connected to the hinge element 222. The hinge element 222 is made of an elastic material, for example, an elastomer having sufficient flexibility so that it can be removed from its original position and so that he returns to this original position. Due to this, the hinge element 222 acts as the axis of the hinge, and the sections 224, 226, located side by side, can be moved or rotated relative to the hinge element from the original position shown in Fig.14, in the open position, for example, shown in Fig.15, when the cleaning elements located on sections 224, 226 are brought into contact with the teeth. Then, sections 224, 226 return to their original position under the influence of an elastic hinge, or hinge element, 222. It is preferable that the hinge, or hinge element, 222 be limited by the head 214.

As shown in the figures, each of the sections 224, 226 contains rows of cleaning elements. For example, at the outer edge of each section 224, 226, there is an outer row 228 of cleaning elements, and closer to the hinge element 222, there is an inner row 230 of cleaning elements. Preferably, the end surfaces 232 of the inner cleaning elements 230 converge in a wedge towards the hinge axis 222 so that the adjacent end edges 232 of each inner row of cleaning elements form an obtuse angle, as shown by the letter A in FIG. 14, when the brush head is in its original position.

The outer rows 228 of cleaning elements protrude outward to a greater distance from the outer surface of the sections than the inner rows 230 of cleaning elements. As a result, the connection of the cleaning elements is made so that they surround the edge of the teeth for simultaneous possible contact with both the front and the upper side of the teeth (see Fig. 14). When using a brush, its head is pressed against the edge of the teeth, forcing the flexible hinge to open and close during the cleaning process.

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, in a preferred application of the invention, the outer rows 228 of cleaning elements are tufts of bristles that remove plaque. The inner rows 230 of cleaning elements may be bristles obtained by molding technology in which portions of the bristles are welded together at one end thereof, and the welded end (bundle) is inserted into the mold cavity during manufacture of the head.

On Fig shows sections 224, 226 in their open position. 15, some of the cleaning elements are removed to provide a better understanding of how the cleaning elements are installed. As shown in this figure, plaque bristles 228 are made in the form of tufts of bristles, or groups inserted into separate holes 234 in the bristle container 236. The inner rows 230 of cleaning elements are bristles, secured by molding technology, in the molding container 238. The molding containers 238 may be made of soft flexible elastomeric material used in one piece with the hinge axis 222, as shown in Fig.15.

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the bristle container 236 should not extend all the way to the far end of the head 214. Accordingly, lateral plates 240 are provided on each side of the head, which are longitudinally adjacent to the bristle containers 236 and are located against the containers 238 on the rest of the length occupied by the containers 238 so that a smooth contour is obtained along the side of the head 214. The side plates 240 can also be made of soft flexible elastomeric material.

As is best shown in FIGS. 11-12, in each inner row 230 of molded bristles, the bristles are spaced apart or staggered so that the inclined molded bristles of one section are located between adjacent molded bristles of the other section.

Although FIGS. 11-15 depict a preferred form of cleaning elements that should act as bristles for removing plaque and molded bristles, cleaning elements of any suitable shape can be used as cleaning elements 228 and 230, as described above. Thus, the term “cleaning elements” can be used in a broad interpretation, which may include conventional hair bristles or massage elements, or other forms of cleaning elements, for example elastomeric rods or walls of circular cross section, or any desired shape, including straight sections or sinusoidal sections . If bristles are used, they can be attached to bundle blocks or to sections by passing them through the corresponding openings in the bundle blocks so that the base of the bristles are fixed at / or below the bundle blocks.

Similarly, it should be borne in mind that specific examples of cleaning elements are provided here simply for illustration. The invention can be applied by using different combinations of the same or different cleaning elements (for example, brackets or molded bristles, technology without fixing the bristles, etc.) and / or by using bristles or cleaning elements from the same materials (for example, nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, although the cleaning elements shown in FIG. 12 are generally arranged perpendicular to the outer surface of the head 214, some or all of the cleaning elements may be inclined at different angles with respect to the outer surface of the head 214. Thus, a combination of configurations of the cleaning elements can be selected. , materials and directions to achieve the specifically desired results, to provide additional benefits in the improvement of the oral cavity, for example, improved cleaning, polishing, whitening teeth and / or gum massage.

The handle 212 may be made of conventional hard plastic material, which may, however, include a portion 242 located adjacent to the head 214 of a soft elastomer. The bristle containers 236 can also be made of hard plastic material, while the side plates 240 and the molded containers 238 can be made of soft elastomeric material. Because the bristle containers 236 are attached to the molded containers 238, the bristle containers 236 and their cleaning elements 228 move when the molded containers 238 are moved in response to the movement of the molded bristles 230 that are brought into contact with the teeth. If desired, the bristle containers 236 may also be made of soft elastomeric material.

Although FIGS. 11–13 show a toothbrush that is used to brush teeth manually, the invention can also be used if the head contains one or more movable sections carrying cleaning elements driven by mechanical or electrical means. On Fig shows a toothbrush 210A containing driven by an electric drive movable disk, or section 250, containing cleaning elements similar to the movable sections of the toothbrushes 10A and 110A.

Claims (30)

1. A toothbrush comprising a handle (12), a head (14) attached to a handle (12) and having dimensions suitable for use in the user's mouth, the head being made in the form of a base (18) having an upwardly directed wall (20) ) for the formation of the peripheral frame, a thin elastic membrane (22) of elastomeric material having a peripheral periphery corresponding to the shape of the peripheral frame, and the membrane is mounted directly on the specified frame by fixing the peripheral periphery of the membrane to the frame for about the formation of the internal cavity (28) between the membrane, the base and the wall, the wall having attachment surfaces for receiving and fixing the peripheral periphery of the membrane to the inner portion of the frame and to enclose the cavity in the head, the attachment surfaces inclined inward relative to the cavity, the membrane having an initial the state when the brush is not used, and the membrane in the initial state is convex and has the initial domed shape, at least one cleaning element on the membrane protruding outward from the head, while the membrane can bend, changing its original shape during use of the toothbrush, and then recover in its original form arbitrarily during use of the toothbrush. 2. Toothbrush according to claim 1, in which at least one cleaning element (26) contains bristles attached to the membrane (22) by molding technology. 3. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the head is oval and the membrane is oval. 4. Toothbrush according to claim 3, in which the membrane is convex both in its transverse and in its longitudinal direction. 5. Toothbrush according to claim 1, in which the cleaning elements (124) are tufts of bristles. 6. Toothbrush according to claim 1, in which the section of the toothbrush contains equipped with a drive cleaning elements (150). 7. A method of manufacturing a toothbrush, comprising molding a head (14) with a base portion (18) containing an upwardly directed wall (20) to create a frame including a peripheral surface of attachment to the wall (20), the attachment surface inclined inward relative to the cavity (28 ), and a handle (12) attached to the head (14), attaching the surface (22) bearing the bristles to the frame so that it is attached to the peripheral surface of the mount, and the surface (22) carrying the bristles is a domed membrane from made of an elastomeric material, attaching a dome-shaped membrane (22) to the peripheral surface of the wall mount (20) so that the membrane and wall (20) cover the specified cavity (28), and the bristles (26) are attached to the membrane by molding technology. 8. The method according to claim 7, in which the bristles (26) are attached to the membrane (22), and the membrane is attached to the head (14) before forming the handle (12). 9. The method according to claim 7, in which the bristles (26) are attached to the membrane (22), and the membrane is attached to the head (14) after molding the handle (12). 10. The method according to claim 7, in which the bristles (26) are attached to the membrane during molding of the handle. 11. A toothbrush comprising a handle (112) and a head (114), the head comprising an open area (120) partially covered by the elastomeric part (122), the elastomeric part containing a portion protruding from the open area (120) to the head (114) ), and the elastomeric material can easily be deformed into the open region (120) and into the protruding section to change its initial orientation during use of the toothbrush, and then restored to take its original orientation after using the toothbrush, the head ( 114) comprises cleaning elements (124) on the elastomeric part (122) in the open area (120) and in the protruding portion, the handle (112) including the open area (118) at least partially surrounded by the elastomeric part (116), moreover the elastomeric material easily deforms into the open area (118) of the handle. 12. Toothbrush according to claim 11, in which the head (114) contains cleaning elements (124) attached to the elastomeric part by molding technology. 13. A method of manufacturing a toothbrush, comprising forming a head (114) and a handle (112) attached to the head (114), the head portion comprising an open area (120) partially surrounded by an elastomeric part (122), the elastomeric part (122) contains a section protruding from the open area (120) into the head (114), while part (122) is easily deformed into the open area (120) and into the protruding part, while the handle (112) includes the open area (118), at least partially surrounded by an elastomeric part (116), the elastomeric material being easily under aetsya deformation in the open region (118) of the handle, attaching the cleaning element (124) to the elastomeric portion (122) in the open region (120) and a protruding portion zaformovki technology. 14. The method according to item 13, in which the cleaning elements (124) are attached to the elastomeric part (122) during the formation of the handle (112). 15. A toothbrush comprising a handle (212), a head (214) attached to the handle, the head having a longitudinal axis, a hinge element (222) extending collinearly to the longitudinal axis and dividing the head (214) into two longitudinal sections (224, 226 ) located side by side, connected to the hinge element, the hinge element (222) bounded by the head, and a plurality of cleaning elements (230, 228) on each of the sections protruding outward from the sections in the direction from the longitudinal axis, the hinge element (222 ) forms a hinge axis made of an elastic material, acting as a spring, while the sections (224, 226) rotate from their original position and return to their original position, and the longitudinal sections (224, 226) located side by side form an obtuse angle relative to each other in the initial position. 16. A toothbrush according to Claim 15, wherein each of the side-by-side sections (224, 226) comprises inner rows (230) of cleaning elements and outer rows (228) of cleaning elements. 17. The toothbrush according to clause 15, in which the handle contains a section with a recess for holding it. 18. Toothbrush according to claim 15, wherein the inner row (230) of cleaning elements is installed in the inner container, and the outer row of cleaning elements is installed in the outer container located along the side and attached to the inner container. 19. Toothbrush according to clause 16, in which the end ends (232) of the inner rows (230) of the cleaning elements form a wedge directed to the hinge axis (222). 20. Toothbrush according to clause 16, in which the end ends (232) of the inner rows (230) of the cleaning elements form an obtuse angle relative to each other. 21. Toothbrush according to clause 16, in which the outer rows (228) of the cleaning elements are made longer than the inner sections (230) of the cleaning elements. 22. Toothbrush according to clause 16, in which the inner rows (230) of the cleaning elements have gaps in each of the inner rows, and the gaps in the rows are offset relative to each other to form a checkerboard pattern. 23. Toothbrush according to clause 16, in which the outer rows (228) of the cleaning elements are plaque bristles set in one row. 24. Toothbrush according to item 23, in which the inner rows (230) of the cleaning elements are bristles secured by the molding technology. 25. Toothbrush according to paragraph 24, in which the bristles of each row (230), secured by the molding technology, are installed in the molding container (238) passing to the distal end of the head (214), and the bristles for plaque removal of each row are installed in the container (236) for bristles located along the side and attached to the forming container in each section, the forming containers extending further from the handle (212) than the containers for the bristles, and the side plate (240) is longitudinally adjacent to each container Erov for the bristles and is disposed against the container zaformovochnogo zaformovochnogo the rest length of the container in each of the sections to create a smooth continuous outer lateral surface of the head in each section. 26. Toothbrush according A.25, in which the molding containers (238) are made of flexible material. 27. Toothbrush according A.25, in which the side plates (240) are made of flexible material. 28. Toothbrush according A.25, in which the molding containers (238) are made in one piece with the hinge element (222), and the containers for the bristles are made of hard plastic material. 29. Toothbrush according to claim 28, in which the inner containers are made of soft flexible material in one piece with the hinge element. 30. The toothbrush according to clause 29, in which the inner containers extend outward from the handle at a greater distance than the outer containers, and each of the sections contains a side plate adjacent longitudinally to the outer container and located against the inner container for the rest of the length of the inner container , to create a smooth continuous outer side surface of the head of each section.

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