WO2008037107A1

WO2008037107A1 - Concave toothbrush

Info

Publication number: WO2008037107A1
Application number: PCT/CH2007/000477
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vaclav Velkoborsky
Original assignee: Vaclav Velkoborsky
Priority date: 2006-09-27
Filing date: 2007-09-27
Publication date: 2008-04-03
Also published as: CH701587B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a toothbrush comprising an inelastic brush head having a cleaning structure with a concave surface on the tooth-cleaning side of the brush head, as well as a method for the production of such toothbrushes and the use thereof.

Description

KONKAVE TOOTHBRUSH

This application claims the benefit of Swiss Patent Application No. 1540/06, filed Sep. 27, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention relates to toothbrushes having a medically advantageously designed brush head and to methods for producing such toothbrushes and to their use.

From the prior art, various proposals are known to improve the construction of toothbrushes so as to achieve an improved cleaning result and / or to simplify the construction of toothbrushes.

Inadequate cleaning results can be attributed to different causes, in particular insufficient construction of the toothbrush and / or incorrect or inappropriate use by the user. In particular, the interdental spaces, the area of the tooth necks and users with particularly sensitive teeth are critical.

US 6 554 614 describes a toothbrush having a central hub and a plurality of bristles mounted thereon, which i) converge towards each other and ii) when viewed in their entirety, have a tapered configuration when rotated. The brush head thus shows in use an outwardly curved (convex) contact surface.

US 2003/0048533 describes a toothbrush with a flexible elastic head which carries bristles. In this case, the free ends of the bristles in the load-free state along the longitudinal or transverse axis of the toothbrush on a generally concave profile. WO 2005/006915 describes, inter alia, a toothbrush with bristles of different lengths and thicknesses, the contact surface as a result being "serrated." The above-mentioned publications address the problem of insufficient cleaning effect of conventional toothbrushes The problem of cleaning the interdental area is also addressed and the documents address, at least in part, the problems of ease of manufacture, toothbrush cleaning and ease of use.

The object of the invention is now to provide a toothbrush with a brush head according to the preamble, whose improved construction leads to an improved cleaning result.

In particular, a good cleaning result should be achieved with low pressure on the teeth. Furthermore, the cleaning result should be improved, in particular in the area of the interdental spaces.

Furthermore, the cleaning result on the tooth necks, especially with increased sensitivity, should be improved. Furthermore, a toothbrush is to be made available in which the user an optimal control is made possible, so that the teeth can be very consciously and selectively cleaned.

The manufacturing techniques and the structure should be simple and the manufacturing cost of the toothbrush low.

It has now been found that a toothbrush comprising an inelastic brush head protruding from its toothbrush-side surface has a concaved surface cleaning structure which achieves the objects outlined above. Advantageous embodiments of this Toothbrush are specified in the dependent claims and the description and to refer to the drawings.

Furthermore, methods for producing the toothbrush according to the invention are disclosed, as well as various fields of application of the toothbrush according to the invention.

The invention will be explained in detail below. In this case, the terms used in connection with this invention have the meanings set forth below, unless there is a different meaning from the direct context.

A toothbrush consists of a brush head from which protrudes on one side a cleaning structure and a handle which is connected to the head via a neck. Brush head is understood below to mean the area that carries the cleaning structure. The grip area is the area that is gripped by the user in the application. The neck is the area between the head and the handle.

The brush head (1) (or "head") of the brush according to the invention is inelastic, indicating that no deformation of the brush head is observed with the brush force normally used (1-10 Newton, preferably 2-4 Newton) Inelasticity is achieved by suitable choice of material and thickness and can be found in the description / examples Cleaning structure (4) refers to the elements used to clean the teeth, such as bristles, bristle tufts, soft-elastic elements or combinations The cleaning elements are preferably arranged parallel to each other Preferably, the cleaning structure consists of one or more bristle tufts, more preferably a bristle tuft. The surface (5) of the cleaning structure is understood to be the surface which in use is in contact with the teeth. According to the invention, the surface of the cleaning structure is concave and is defined by the radius of curvature r. This implies that the surface changes continuously and is free of steps or jumps. The radius r can either be identical for the longitudinal and transverse directions (giving a spherical surface) or different values (resulting in an ellipsoidal surface). Preferred is a spherical surface. The radius r of the ball, which describes the curvature of the concave surface of the cleaning structure, is in the range of 10 - 500 mm, preferably in the range of 15 - 250 mm, most preferably in the range of 25-150 mm.

The concave surface of the cleaning structure is created by the blank and / or the attachment and / or the shape of the front surface of the head (see Fig.2). In one embodiment, the length of the bristle tufts is different and arranged to provide a concave surface. In an alternative embodiment, bristles / bristle tufts of equal length are introduced into the head at different depths, resulting in a concave surface. In an alternative embodiment, the same length bristles / tufts are introduced with the same depth in the head; wherein the front surface of the head itself is concave, resulting in a concave surface. These alternative embodiments can also be combined with each other. These possibilities for creating the concave surface are summarized again: a: constant depth t and different length 1 of the bristles; b: constant length 1 of the bristles in different depth t; embedded in this embodiment eg in an elastic material (7); c: fixed bristles of constant length 1 at a constant depth t, the Front surface (6) of the head is concavely curved, radius of curvature r.

The front surface (6) of the head region is understood to be the surface on which the cleaning structure, in particular bristles and / or soft elastic elements, is attached. The front surface is 3 - 180 mm2, preferably 7 - 80 mm2, most preferably 12 - 50 mm2. The shape of the base surface from which the cleaning structure protrudes may vary, preferably it is round or ellipsoidal, more preferably round.

The attachment of the cleaning structure in

Head can be done with the usual, familiar to those skilled techniques. So bristles can be attached either individually or in tufts in the head. The attachment can be done for example by molding with plastic compound. The plastic compound for encapsulation may be identical to the material used for the head. Alternatively, this plastic mass of elastic Mate- material (7), so that there is a resilient storage for the Reinigunsstruktur. If the cleaning structure consists of bristle tufts (n), this can also be secured by means of anchors in the head.

The dimensions of the toothbrush according to the invention largely correspond to the dimensions of commercially available toothbrushes; for the surface (5) and the front surface (6), however, the information is given in this description.

The handle, head and bristle materials are generally known to those skilled in the art. Handle and head can be made of the same material; suitable materials are wood-based materials and plastics. Preference is given to plastics based on casting resins, polyamide and polypropylene. Preferably, the handle, neck and head are made of the same material. The object of the invention is applicable both to manually operated toothbrushes and to electrically operated toothbrushes (in particular those having an oscillating round toothbrush, as are known, for example, from EP 1 138 222 A2 or from EP 0 765 642 A2). The toothbrush can therefore be a manual toothbrush, in which the hand must perform all cleaning movements mechanically; but it can also be an electrically operated toothbrush with a about her longitudinal axis back and forth swinging brush movement or an oscillating brush movement. According to the present invention, manually operated toothbrushes are preferred.

The subject matter of the invention can also be applied to modular toothbrushes. These are understood to mean toothbrushes in which the head and handle are releasably connected to one another. This makes it possible to use different heads on the toothbrush to accommodate different difficult cleaning situations. In such modular toothbrushes, the connection of the head and handle can be done for example by conventional plug screw or bayonet connections. EP 1163861 discloses a possibility for a suitable connection system. In a preferred embodiment, the head, neck and handle of the toothbrush are made in one piece.

In the context of the present invention, various embodiments and the various

Areas can be combined with each other as desired. Furthermore, individual embodiments or areas can be omitted.

The following considerations have been included in the development of the present toothbrush. The first seemingly simple process the Cleaning teeth proves to be a complex problem on closer inspection, in addition to the optimal toothbrush and the skills of the user play a role. It is therefore necessary to optimize the toothbrush in such a way that on the one hand a good cleaning result is achieved and on the other hand the user is optimally supported.

The majority of tooth surfaces to be cleaned are convex. The best cleaning effect is achieved when the cleaning elements are perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned. This vertical position can be achieved, at least approximately, by the surface of the cleaning structure being concave. This surface shape also appears to provide improved control over the toothbrush. This makes it easier for the user to deliberately and "consciously" clean his teeth, which in turn improves the cleaning result.

It has also been observed that users often brush their teeth with excessive pressure. this

So far, problems have been attempted to use softer cleaning elements (eg soft bristles) or to integrate resilient elements in the neck of the toothbrush. Both variants show disadvantages. Soft toothbrushes lead to a bending of the bristles and thus reduced cleaning effect - which is often compensated by an increased pressure. Such toothbrushes also show faster wear. Spring elements in the toothbrush are generally more expensive to construct and more difficult to clean. An improved cleaning effect can also not be observed. It has now surprisingly been found that when using the toothbrush according to the invention, test persons tend to clean their teeth with a lower and appropriate contact pressure. Without being bound by theory, it is assumed that this is a consequence of the improved control which the Users when using the according to the invention toothbrush has. The described effect of the reduced contact pressure is particularly advantageous for users with sensitive teeth.

It has also been observed that users with sensitive tooth necks have problems cleaning the teeth. This shows a surprisingly better compatibility of the toothbrush according to the invention. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that the improved compatibility is due to the surface of the cleaning structure (concave) and the changed user behavior (low contact pressure). Both result in bristles bending less or no laterally so as not to touch the neck of the tooth unintentionally and painfully.

Various embodiments of the invention are illustrated by the figures and explained in more detail below. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the context of the present invention, the following reference numerals are used: (1) head; (2) neck; (3) handle; (4) cleaning structure; (5) surface of the cleaning structure; (6) front surface of the head; (7) elastic mass; (8) tooth; r radius of curvature of the surface; t depth of the cleaning structure in the head. Show it:

Fig. 1 a toothbrush with (1) head; (2) neck; (3) handle; (4) cleaning structure (here as bristle tufts); (5) surface of the cleaning structure; (6) front surface of the head and

Fig. 2 shows the section through a brush head of the brush of Fig. 1, wherein (1) head; (4) cleaning structure; (5) surface of the cleaning structure; (8) tooth; (r) radius of curvature of the surface; (t) Depth of the cleaning structure are shown in the head. The invention relates in a second aspect to a method for producing the toothbrush according to the invention, comprising the steps (method A) attaching the cleaning structure in the brush head and then shaping / shortening / trimming the cleaning structure to obtain a concave surface; or (method B) production of a cleaning element with a concave upper surface and attachment to the brush head; or (Method C) Attachment of the cleaning element to a concave brush head. Preferably, the brush of the invention is prepared by method A by cutting bristles by means of a spherical cutting tool.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of the toothbrush according to the invention for cleaning natural teeth and artificial teeth, such as dental implants, bridges or dentures. The cleaning of artificial teeth is relevant both during manufacture and during use by the user. The cleaning of artificial teeth can therefore also take place outside the body. The cleaning of artificial teeth primarily serves aesthetic purposes.

The invention is illustrated by the following examples. These examples are intended to illustrate the invention and are not meant to be limiting

Example 1, Preparation and Use of a Toothbrush: A toothbrush, total length 18 cm, with a circular bristle tuft, diameter 0.5 cm, is prepared by known methods. Subsequently, the bristle tufts are processed by means of a diamond-studded ball so as to trim the toothbrush-side surface to a concave shape. The toothbrush according to example 1 causes the user (only to force it) to make small movements with little force, and optimally adapts to the buc- cal surfaces of the teeth (these are convex) by means of the concave brush field

Cleansing effect with minimal trauma to the marginal gingiva. In contrast, in commercially available toothbrushes, which have a wide variety of bristle field shapes, incorrect toothbrushing technique (too much contact pressure and translatory movements) combined with non-anatomically shaped bristles often leads to traumatization of the gums in the anterior region.

Claims

A toothbrush comprising an inelastic brush head on the toothbrush side surface of which protrudes a cleaning structure with a concave surface, which is formed from a bristle tuft.

2. Toothbrush according to claim 1, in which the cleaning structure protrudes from a round or ellipseoid front surface.

3. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 2, in which the concave surface of the cleaning structure is characterized by a ball with a radius of 10 - 500 mm.

4. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the front surface, from which the cleaning structure protrudes, is 3 - 180 mm 2, preferably 7 - 80 mm 2.

5. Toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 4 in which the brush head and handle are detachably connected to each other.

6. A method for producing a toothbrush according to any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising the steps of method A: attaching the cleaning elements in the brush head and then shortening / shaping / trimming the cleaning elements to obtain a concave surface; or Method B: Preparation of a cleaning element with a concave surface and attachment to the brush head; or Method C: Attaching a cleaning element to a concave brush head.

7. Use of a toothbrush according to one of claims 1 to 6 for cleaning artificial teeth.