EP0716573B1 - Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush - Google Patents

Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0716573B1
EP0716573B1 EP94925478A EP94925478A EP0716573B1 EP 0716573 B1 EP0716573 B1 EP 0716573B1 EP 94925478 A EP94925478 A EP 94925478A EP 94925478 A EP94925478 A EP 94925478A EP 0716573 B1 EP0716573 B1 EP 0716573B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tufts
toothbrush
generally
tuft
bristle face
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94925478A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0716573A1 (en
Inventor
Christiane Monz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB939318203A external-priority patent/GB9318203D0/en
Priority claimed from GB9411453A external-priority patent/GB9411453D0/en
Application filed by SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH filed Critical SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH
Publication of EP0716573A1 publication Critical patent/EP0716573A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0716573B1 publication Critical patent/EP0716573B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/04—Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a novel device, being a toothbrush.
  • Toothbrushes are well known articles, and generally comprise a handle, having at one end thereof a bristle-bearing head, all aligned along a longitudinal toothbrush axis.
  • the bristles on such a head are normally arranged in a pattern of discrete tufts mounted in sockets in a bristle face of the head and extending generally perpendicular to the bristle face.
  • such tufts are substantially circular in cross section and are mounted in substantially circular section sockets in the head.
  • Toothbrushes having bristles arranged in a single "mat" covering substantially the entire area of the bristle face are known, e.g in US 4646381, which also discloses a toothbrush having a combination of circular sectioned tufts, oval sectioned and rectangular sectioned tufts located within a middle area of a larger mat of individual bristles covering a substantial area of the bristle face.
  • US 4268933 discloses a toothbrush having bristles arranged in large tufts of a rectangular shape, having their long dimension aligned substantially across the width of the toothbrush head.
  • US 2209173 discloses a toothbrush having elongated rectangular tufts of bristles with their long dimension aligned substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, alternating with rectangular tufts which tilt together, the bristles in the tufts being flattened to form a sharp-edged tuft .
  • Bristle tufts having a substantially circular cross section have substantially the same stiffness to bending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bristles in the tuft ("the tuft axis") whether this direction is parallel to the toothbrush axis or perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, i.e across the width of the toothbrush.
  • This can have the disadvantage that the tufts have substantially the same stiffness when the head is being moved generally in the direction of the toothbrush axis across the teeth parallel to the gumline, as when the head is being moved in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, up and down the teeth, crossing the gumline. It is desirable that a toothbrush is softer, ie has less stiffness to bending when brushing across the gumline, to prevent injury to the gumline.
  • the inventors have devised a toothbrush having a tuft pattern of elongated mats of bristles, with a rounded tuft of bristles at the end of the head remote from the handle.
  • the invention therefore provides a toothbrush, having a handle and at one end thereof a bristle bearing head, the bristles on the head all being arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts projecting from a face ("bristle face") of the toothbrush head in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, characterised by one or more of the tufts ("first tufts") having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, in combination with one or more tufts ("second tufts") at the end of the tuft pattern remote from the handle, the second tufts heing in the form of either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of
  • the term "generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis” includes all directions between absolutely parallel to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the longitudinal sides of the head of the toothbrush.
  • the term “generally circular” includes semicircular.
  • each of such first tufts covers no more than 25% of the area of the bristle face of the head, for example no more than 20%, suitably less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, for example 1 - 2 % of the area of the bristle face.
  • tufts may have a ratio of dimension in a direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis (i.e "long dimension”) : dimension in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis (i.e "width dimension") of 1.5 : 1 or more, suitably 2 : 1 or more, e.g 2.5 : 1 or more, for example between 2.5 -3.5 : 1.
  • the crop section of such first tufts may for example be generally rectangular in shad over a substantial part of their cross-sectional area, having the long dimension of the rectangle aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis.
  • the term "generally rectangular” includes inter-alia rectangular with rounded comers, lozenge-shaped (i.e two generally parallel long sides and two rounded ends), parallelogram-shaped and trapezoidal-shaped.
  • the cross section of one or more of the first tufts may have other generally linear polygonal or rounded shapes having a length dimension aligned generally parallel or substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, for example diamond shaped or rectangular with one or more pointed ends, "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb, e.g at about 45° to the first limb, or "V" shaped having at least one, preferably both, of the limbs of the "V" aligned at an angle less than about 45° to the toothbrush axis.
  • the toothbrush may have a single first tuft or a number of first tufts, and the tufts may be of differing cross-sectional shapes combined, for example rectangular or lozenge shaped combined with "L" shaped.
  • the toothbrush of the invention may have between 2 to 25 first tufts, which may all be generally rectangular or lozenge shaped.
  • a first embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long dimension between about 0.1 and 0.9, for example between 0.25 - 0.75 of the overall length of the bristle face, with a width dimension between about 0.05 and 0.5, suitably between about 0.1 and 0.5 of the width of the bristle face.
  • the pattern of first tufts may comprise between 5 and 20 of such tufts, for example between 5 and 12.
  • Such first tufts thereby comprise a pattern of long rectangular or lozenge shaped tufts, with their long axes aligned generally parallel to the bristle face.
  • Such first tufts may for example each have such a long dimension, e.g about 0.75 of the length of the bristle face, that each tuft extends substantially along the entire length of the bristle face occupied by the first tufts.
  • the long dimension of individual such first tufts may for example be such, e.g about 0.1 - 0.5 of the length of the bristle face, that such first tufts are arranged in two or more, e.g 2 - 6, lateral rows across the width of the bristle face.
  • the first tufts in this first embodiment may be symmetrically diposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • a second embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a tuft pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combined with, for example alternating with, one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts ("third tufts") which are of generally circular section.
  • the first and third tufts of this second embodiment may be symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • a third embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combined with, for example alternating with, one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of third tufts which are of generally rectangular (as defined above) section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face.
  • the first and third tufts of this third embodiment may be symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • first tufts there may be 2 to 5, for example 4, lateral rows of first tufts, combined with 1 to 4, for example 3, rows of third tufts.
  • rows of first tufts there may for example be 2 to 5 e.g 4 tufts abreast across the width of the bristle face
  • rows of third tufts there may be for example 2 to 5, e.g 4 third tufts of generally circular section, or 1 to 3, e.g. 2 third tufts of generally rectangular section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face, abreast across the width of the bristle face.
  • a fourth embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long dimension between about 0.10 - 0.9, typically between about 0.25 - 0.5, of the overall length of the bristle face, typically the pattern of first tufts may comprise between 2 and 20 of such first tufts, for example between 5 and 12, such first tufts being combined with one or more first tufts which are "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb, e.g at about 45° to the first limb.
  • Such "L” shaped first tufts may be disposed at the end of the bristle face closest to the handle.
  • the first tufts of this second embodiment may be symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, and preferably the toothbrush of this embodiment has an even number of such "L” shaped first tufts disposed symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • the second tufts comprise a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern
  • such second tufts may be in a pattern of tufts of generally circular section arranged in generally a circle, semi-circle, or polygon (each corner of which corresponding to a centre of one of its tufts), which may comprise a pattern of individual tufts arranged around a central tuft.
  • a central tuft may be surrounded by a regular, e.g a hexagonal, pattern of such tufts symmetrically arranged, for example such that there are dual numbers of second tufts, e.g 3 of the surrounding tufts, disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • the diameter of such a pattern may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the pattern.
  • the second tufts comprise a single tuft of generally rounded, e.g circular, oval or semicircular or semioval cross section perpendicular to the bristle face the diameter of such a tuft may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
  • the second tufts comprise a tuft of generally "C” or “U” shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C” or “U” aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C” or “U” facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle the diameter of the rounded part of such a tuft may typically be around 0.6 - 0.9 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
  • the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush may symmetrically bisect the "C" or "U".
  • Tufts of generally circular cross section may additionally or alternatively be combined with the above described first, second and third tufts having a cross section, perpendicular to the tuft axis, which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis in other ways.
  • the bristles within the first, second and third tufts may be of substantially all the same length, so that the face of the tuft is substantially flat, or alternatively the length of the bristles in the tuft axis direction may vary in length at different points along the direction of the toothbrush axis, or perpendicular to this axis.
  • Such a variation is particularly applicable to toothbrushes of this invention which have alternating rows of tufts of different sections as described above, such as in the second and third embodiments, and where the individual rows may vary in the length of the bristles contained in them.
  • the tuft may have a "rippled” or “sawtooth” profile of alternating peaks and troughs, for example as described in DE 34 33 763, WO 91/19437, EP 0449653A, US 4672706, US 451911, US 4268933, US 3229318, US 3188673, US 2797429, US 1943225 and US 74,560 etc.
  • the first tufts may comprise bristles of shorter length than those in the second and third tufts, and those of the second and third tufts may be of substantially the same length.
  • the bristles making up the tufts may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush bristles, for example Nylon.
  • the bristles may be of generally conventional construction, e.g linear filaments of the bristle material having rounded polished ends.
  • the handle and head may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush handles.
  • the head and handle may be of an overall shape conventional to the art of toothbrushes, and the handle may for example include one or more 'V' shaped folds to modify the flexibility characteristics of the handle, for example as described in EP 0336641 A.
  • the handle may also include one or more grip-enhancing portions for example in the form of rubbery grip mats, for example as also described in EP 0336641 A.
  • the tufts and individual bristles may be mounted in the toothbrush head by essentially conventional techniques.
  • the bristles are mounted into the toothbrush head by a process in which the ends of the bristles in the tuft to be fastened into the head ("the fastening ends") are fused together into a mass by heating, and this mass is subsequently or simultaneously fused with the toothbrush head material, by heating the bristles or the mass and the head material to the point of softening, bringing them into contact so that they fuse together, and then cooling them to solidification, so that the tuft is in effect welded into the head.
  • the head may be preformed with one or more sockets corresponding to the position, number and size of the tuft(s), and the tuft(s) may be fused as described above with the head material around the socket(s).
  • the bristles and head must be made of thermoplastic materials, for example known thermoplastic materials such as nylon at present used in toothbrush manufacture. Suitable processes for making a toothbrush in this way are for example described in US 2664316 and WO 93/12690, the contents of which are included herein by reference.
  • the bristles of the tufts may be first fused into a thermoplastic block in the above-described tuft pattern, for example using the above-described fusion process, and this block may then be inserted and fixed, e.g by heat welding, into a cavity in the head of the toothbrush, or alternatively the head of the toothbrush may be moulded around the block.
  • the toothbrush of this invention may be used in an essentially conventional manner by the user, and the tuft patterns of the toothbrushes of this invention are believed to improve the cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush and is also believed to help to reduce gum injury.
  • Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show perspective views of heads of toothbrushes of this invention.
  • Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show plan views of tuft patterns of the bristle faces of heads of toothbrushes of this invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal section through the toothbrush of Fig 9.
  • toothbrush heads (1) are shown. Each head (1) is connected to an integral handle (2).
  • the toothbrush axis is indicated by the line A - A in Fig 1, the tuft axis by the line B - B in Fig 1, and the width direction of the head (1) by the line C - C in Fig 1.
  • tufts On each of the heads (1) of Figs 1 to 5 are mounted tufts (3, generally) extending generally perpendicularly to the bristle face (1A) of the head (1) generally in the direction of a tuft axis B-B.
  • first tufts (31) are rectangular in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B with two rounded ends, ie lozenge shaped.
  • the pattern of tufts comprises a number tufts (31) having a long dimension of 0.5 or more of the length of the bristle face (4), which is substantially greater than their width dimension, the long dimension being aligned substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis and with one large second tuft (32) of circular cross seetion perpendicular to the tuft axis (B - B), at the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2).
  • first tufts (31) are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B
  • first tufts (34) are "L" shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, with a first limb substantially rectangular in cross section with its long limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis, and a second limb (34A) at an angle of about 45° to the first limb.
  • a second tuft (32) is in the shape in section taken perpendicular to the toil axis B - B of a "U" shape having two limbs aligned substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, and its rounded bottom adjacent to the end of the head (1) remote from the handle (2).
  • the longitudinal axis A-A of the toothbrush bisects the "U" between its two limbs.
  • first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of five curved lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4).
  • the diameter of the pattern of second tufts (32) is about 0.9 of the width of the bristle face (4) taken through the centre of the pattern.
  • first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are located straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts (33) which are of generally circular section.
  • the second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the first tufts (31).
  • first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (1A). Between alternate rows of fat tufts (31) are located straight rows of third tufts (33) which are of generally rectangular section, but having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face (1A), and which are aligned generally across the width of the bristle face.
  • second tufts (32) At the end of the bristle face (1A) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft.
  • the second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the first tufts (31).
  • FIGs. 6 to 9 plan views of heads of (1) of toothbrushes of the invention are shown, looking down the tuft axis B-B.
  • first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of lateral rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4), these rows being curved in Fig. 6 (i.e as shown in Fig. 3) and straight in Fig. 7.
  • the longitudinal dimension of the first tufts (31) is such that five first tufts occupy the length of the bristle face (4) occupied by first tufts (31).
  • second tufts (32) At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft (32).
  • first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and arranged in a series of straight lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (1A). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are respectively located straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face.
  • the third tufts (33) are of generally circular section.
  • the third tufts (33) are of generally rectangular section, ie lozenge shaped, having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face (4).
  • the head of the toothbrush shown in Fig. 9 is shown in a longitudinal section about the staggered axis (D- D) shown in Fig 9.
  • the toothbrush comprises a head (1), a handle (2), and first (31), second (32), and third (33) tufts.
  • the tufts (31, 32, 33) comprise individual bristles all generally aligned in the direction of the tuft axis (B - B) perpendicular to the bristle face (4).
  • the ends of the bristles in the tufts (31, 32, 33) have been fastened into the head (1) by fusing them by heat into a mass (5) then cooling.
  • each mass (5) is located in a socket (6) and fused in place therein with the material of the toothbrush head (1), both the head material and bristle material being thermoplastic.
  • the tufts (31, 32, 33) of the toothbrushes of Figs. 1 to 8 are fastened into the heads (1) of their respective toothbrushes in a similar way to that shown in Fig. 10.
  • the technique used to fuse the mass (5) into the socket (6) may be that of US 2664316 or WO 93/10639, or other known methods, and the fixing of the tufts (31, 32, 33) into the head (1) is shown only representatively.

Abstract

A toothbrush is provided with a first set of discrete tufts (31) that are generally rectangular in the cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis with the larger dimension running parallel to the side of the brush head (1). A second set of tufts (32) is provided at the end of the head (1) remote from the handle, this set of tufts, or single tuft, having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis that is either 'C' or 'U' shaped or rounded. The arrangement of bristle tufts described provides a lower brushing stiffness in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the brush.

Description

  • This invention relates to a novel device, being a toothbrush.
  • Toothbrushes are well known articles, and generally comprise a handle, having at one end thereof a bristle-bearing head, all aligned along a longitudinal toothbrush axis. The bristles on such a head are normally arranged in a pattern of discrete tufts mounted in sockets in a bristle face of the head and extending generally perpendicular to the bristle face. In known toothbrushes such tufts are substantially circular in cross section and are mounted in substantially circular section sockets in the head.
  • Toothbrushes having bristles arranged in a single "mat" covering substantially the entire area of the bristle face are known, e.g in US 4646381, which also discloses a toothbrush having a combination of circular sectioned tufts, oval sectioned and rectangular sectioned tufts located within a middle area of a larger mat of individual bristles covering a substantial area of the bristle face. US 4268933 discloses a toothbrush having bristles arranged in large tufts of a rectangular shape, having their long dimension aligned substantially across the width of the toothbrush head. US 2209173 discloses a toothbrush having elongated rectangular tufts of bristles with their long dimension aligned substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, alternating with rectangular tufts which tilt together, the bristles in the tufts being flattened to form a sharp-edged tuft .
  • Bristle tufts having a substantially circular cross section have substantially the same stiffness to bending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bristles in the tuft ("the tuft axis") whether this direction is parallel to the toothbrush axis or perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, i.e across the width of the toothbrush. This can have the disadvantage that the tufts have substantially the same stiffness when the head is being moved generally in the direction of the toothbrush axis across the teeth parallel to the gumline, as when the head is being moved in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, up and down the teeth, crossing the gumline. It is desirable that a toothbrush is softer, ie has less stiffness to bending when brushing across the gumline, to prevent injury to the gumline.
  • The inventors have devised a toothbrush having a tuft pattern of elongated mats of bristles, with a rounded tuft of bristles at the end of the head remote from the handle.
  • The invention therefore provides a toothbrush, having a handle and at one end thereof a bristle bearing head, the bristles on the head all being arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts projecting from a face ("bristle face") of the toothbrush head in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, characterised by one or more of the tufts ("first tufts") having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, in combination with one or more tufts ("second tufts") at the end of the tuft pattern remote from the handle, the second tufts heing in the form of either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle.
  • The term "generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis" includes all directions between absolutely parallel to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the longitudinal sides of the head of the toothbrush. The term "generally circular" includes semicircular.
  • Typically each of such first tufts covers no more than 25% of the area of the bristle face of the head, for example no more than 20%, suitably less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, for example 1 - 2 % of the area of the bristle face. Typically such tufts may have a ratio of dimension in a direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis (i.e "long dimension") : dimension in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis (i.e "width dimension") of 1.5 : 1 or more, suitably 2 : 1 or more, e.g 2.5 : 1 or more, for example between 2.5 -3.5 : 1.
  • The crop section of such first tufts may for example be generally rectangular in shad over a substantial part of their cross-sectional area, having the long dimension of the rectangle aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis. The term "generally rectangular" includes inter-alia rectangular with rounded comers, lozenge-shaped (i.e two generally parallel long sides and two rounded ends), parallelogram-shaped and trapezoidal-shaped.
  • Alternatively the cross section of one or more of the first tufts may have other generally linear polygonal or rounded shapes having a length dimension aligned generally parallel or substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, for example diamond shaped or rectangular with one or more pointed ends, "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb, e.g at about 45° to the first limb, or "V" shaped having at least one, preferably both, of the limbs of the "V" aligned at an angle less than about 45° to the toothbrush axis.
  • The toothbrush may have a single first tuft or a number of first tufts, and the tufts may be of differing cross-sectional shapes combined, for example rectangular or lozenge shaped combined with "L" shaped. Typically the toothbrush of the invention may have between 2 to 25 first tufts, which may all be generally rectangular or lozenge shaped.
  • For example a first embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long dimension between about 0.1 and 0.9, for example between 0.25 - 0.75 of the overall length of the bristle face, with a width dimension between about 0.05 and 0.5, suitably between about 0.1 and 0.5 of the width of the bristle face. Typically the pattern of first tufts may comprise between 5 and 20 of such tufts, for example between 5 and 12. Such first tufts thereby comprise a pattern of long rectangular or lozenge shaped tufts, with their long axes aligned generally parallel to the bristle face. Such first tufts may for example each have such a long dimension, e.g about 0.75 of the length of the bristle face, that each tuft extends substantially along the entire length of the bristle face occupied by the first tufts. Alternatively the long dimension of individual such first tufts may for example be such, e.g about 0.1 - 0.5 of the length of the bristle face, that such first tufts are arranged in two or more, e.g 2 - 6, lateral rows across the width of the bristle face. The first tufts in this first embodiment may be symmetrically diposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • Alternatively for example a second embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a tuft pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combined with, for example alternating with, one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts ("third tufts") which are of generally circular section. The first and third tufts of this second embodiment may be symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • Again alternatively for example a third embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern comprising 2 or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts, combined with, for example alternating with, one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of third tufts which are of generally rectangular (as defined above) section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face. The first and third tufts of this third embodiment may be symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • Typically in such a toothbrush there may be 2 to 5, for example 4, lateral rows of first tufts, combined with 1 to 4, for example 3, rows of third tufts. In the rows of first tufts there may for example be 2 to 5 e.g 4 tufts abreast across the width of the bristle face, and in the rows of third tufts there may be for example 2 to 5, e.g 4 third tufts of generally circular section, or 1 to 3, e.g. 2 third tufts of generally rectangular section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face, abreast across the width of the bristle face.
  • Alternatively for example a fourth embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention may have a pattern of first tufts which have a generally rectangular cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis, arranged on its bristle face, the first tufts each having a long dimension between about 0.10 - 0.9, typically between about 0.25 - 0.5, of the overall length of the bristle face, typically the pattern of first tufts may comprise between 2 and 20 of such first tufts, for example between 5 and 12, such first tufts being combined with one or more first tufts which are "L" shaped having a first limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb aligned at an angle to the first limb, e.g at about 45° to the first limb. Such "L" shaped first tufts may be disposed at the end of the bristle face closest to the handle.The first tufts of this second embodiment may be symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, and preferably the toothbrush of this embodiment has an even number of such "L" shaped first tufts disposed symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • When the second tufts comprise a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern such second tufts may be in a pattern of tufts of generally circular section arranged in generally a circle, semi-circle, or polygon (each corner of which corresponding to a centre of one of its tufts), which may comprise a pattern of individual tufts arranged around a central tuft. Typically a central tuft may be surrounded by a regular, e.g a hexagonal, pattern of such tufts symmetrically arranged, for example such that there are dual numbers of second tufts, e.g 3 of the surrounding tufts, disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. The diameter of such a pattern may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the pattern.
  • When the second tufts comprise a single tuft of generally rounded, e.g circular, oval or semicircular or semioval cross section perpendicular to the bristle face the diameter of such a tuft may typically be around 0.5 - 0.95 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft.
  • When the second tufts comprise a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle the diameter of the rounded part of such a tuft may typically be around 0.6 - 0.9 of the width of the bristle face in the vicinity of the tuft. The longitudinal axis of the toothbrush may symmetrically bisect the "C" or "U".
  • Tufts of generally circular cross section may additionally or alternatively be combined with the above described first, second and third tufts having a cross section, perpendicular to the tuft axis, which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis in other ways.
  • The bristles within the first, second and third tufts may be of substantially all the same length, so that the face of the tuft is substantially flat, or alternatively the length of the bristles in the tuft axis direction may vary in length at different points along the direction of the toothbrush axis, or perpendicular to this axis. Such a variation is particularly applicable to toothbrushes of this invention which have alternating rows of tufts of different sections as described above, such as in the second and third embodiments, and where the individual rows may vary in the length of the bristles contained in them. For example relative to the toothbrush axis the tuft may have a "rippled" or "sawtooth" profile of alternating peaks and troughs, for example as described in DE 34 33 763, WO 91/19437, EP 0449653A, US 4672706, US 451911, US 4268933, US 3229318, US 3188673, US 2797429, US 1943225 and US 74,560 etc.
  • Suitably the first tufts may comprise bristles of shorter length than those in the second and third tufts, and those of the second and third tufts may be of substantially the same length.
  • The bristles making up the tufts may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush bristles, for example Nylon. The bristles may be of generally conventional construction, e.g linear filaments of the bristle material having rounded polished ends.
  • The handle and head may be made of plastics materials conventional to the art of toothbrush handles. The head and handle may be of an overall shape conventional to the art of toothbrushes, and the handle may for example include one or more 'V' shaped folds to modify the flexibility characteristics of the handle, for example as described in EP 0336641 A. The handle may also include one or more grip-enhancing portions for example in the form of rubbery grip mats, for example as also described in EP 0336641 A.
  • The tufts and individual bristles may be mounted in the toothbrush head by essentially conventional techniques. Preferably the bristles are mounted into the toothbrush head by a process in which the ends of the bristles in the tuft to be fastened into the head ("the fastening ends") are fused together into a mass by heating, and this mass is subsequently or simultaneously fused with the toothbrush head material, by heating the bristles or the mass and the head material to the point of softening, bringing them into contact so that they fuse together, and then cooling them to solidification, so that the tuft is in effect welded into the head. Suitably the head may be preformed with one or more sockets corresponding to the position, number and size of the tuft(s), and the tuft(s) may be fused as described above with the head material around the socket(s). For manufacture by such a process the bristles and head must be made of thermoplastic materials, for example known thermoplastic materials such as nylon at present used in toothbrush manufacture. Suitable processes for making a toothbrush in this way are for example described in US 2664316 and WO 93/12690, the contents of which are included herein by reference.
  • In an alternative method of making the toothbrush of the invention the bristles of the tufts may be first fused into a thermoplastic block in the above-described tuft pattern, for example using the above-described fusion process, and this block may then be inserted and fixed, e.g by heat welding, into a cavity in the head of the toothbrush, or alternatively the head of the toothbrush may be moulded around the block.
  • Alternative methods of making a toothbrush of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • The toothbrush of this invention may be used in an essentially conventional manner by the user, and the tuft patterns of the toothbrushes of this invention are believed to improve the cleaning efficiency of the toothbrush and is also believed to help to reduce gum injury.
  • The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be representative only and not limiting the general concept of this invention.
  • Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show perspective views of heads of toothbrushes of this invention.
  • Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show plan views of tuft patterns of the bristle faces of heads of toothbrushes of this invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows a longitudinal section through the toothbrush of Fig 9.
  • Referring to Figs 1 to 5 toothbrush heads (1) are shown. Each head (1) is connected to an integral handle (2). The toothbrush axis is indicated by the line A - A in Fig 1, the tuft axis by the line B - B in Fig 1, and the width direction of the head (1) by the line C - C in Fig 1.
  • On each of the heads (1) of Figs 1 to 5 are mounted tufts (3, generally) extending generally perpendicularly to the bristle face (1A) of the head (1) generally in the direction of a tuft axis B-B.
  • In Fig 1 first tufts (31) are rectangular in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B with two rounded ends, ie lozenge shaped. The pattern of tufts comprises a number tufts (31) having a long dimension of 0.5 or more of the length of the bristle face (4), which is substantially greater than their width dimension, the long dimension being aligned substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis and with one large second tuft (32) of circular cross seetion perpendicular to the tuft axis (B - B), at the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2).
  • In Fig 2 the first tufts (31) are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, first tufts (34) are "L" shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, with a first limb substantially rectangular in cross section with its long limb aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis, and a second limb (34A) at an angle of about 45° to the first limb. A second tuft (32) is in the shape in section taken perpendicular to the toil axis B - B of a "U" shape having two limbs aligned substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis, and its rounded bottom adjacent to the end of the head (1) remote from the handle (2). The longitudinal axis A-A of the toothbrush bisects the "U" between its two limbs.
  • In Fig 3 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of five curved lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4). At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft. The diameter of the pattern of second tufts (32) is about 0.9 of the width of the bristle face (4) taken through the centre of the pattern.
  • In Fig 4 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight lateral rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are located straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of tufts (33) which are of generally circular section. At the end of the bristle face (1A) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft. The second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the first tufts (31).
  • In Fig 5 first tufts (31) are generally rectangular, i.e, lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of four straight rows each of four first tufts (31) abreast, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (1A). Between alternate rows of fat tufts (31) are located straight rows of third tufts (33) which are of generally rectangular section, but having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face (1A), and which are aligned generally across the width of the bristle face. At the end of the bristle face (1A) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft. The second tufts (32) and third tufts (33) are longer in the tuft axis direction B-B than the first tufts (31).
  • In Figs. 6 to 9, plan views of heads of (1) of toothbrushes of the invention are shown, looking down the tuft axis B-B.
  • In the toothbrushes of Figs. 6 and 7, patterns of tufts (31, 32) similar to those in the toothbrush of Fig. 3 are shown. The pattern comprises first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and are arranged in a series of lateral rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4), these rows being curved in Fig. 6 (i.e as shown in Fig. 3) and straight in Fig. 7. The longitudinal dimension of the first tufts (31) is such that five first tufts occupy the length of the bristle face (4) occupied by first tufts (31). At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft (32).
  • In the toothbrushes of Figs. 8 and 9, patterns of tufts (31, 32, 33)) similar to those in the toothbrush of Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively shown. The patterns comprise first tufts (31) which are lozenge-shaped in cross section taken perpendicular to the tuft axis B - B, and arranged in a series of straight lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (1A). Between alternate rows of first tufts (31) are respectively located straight rows of third tufts (33) aligned generally across the width of the bristle face. In Fig. 8 the third tufts (33) are of generally circular section. In Fig 9 the third tufts (33) are of generally rectangular section, ie lozenge shaped, having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face (4). At the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2) is a pattern of second tufts (32) of generally circular cross section arranged in a symmetrical hexagonal pattern around a central tuft.
  • Referring to Fig 10, the head of the toothbrush shown in Fig. 9 is shown in a longitudinal section about the staggered axis (D- D) shown in Fig 9. The toothbrush comprises a head (1), a handle (2), and first (31), second (32), and third (33) tufts. The tufts (31, 32, 33) comprise individual bristles all generally aligned in the direction of the tuft axis (B - B) perpendicular to the bristle face (4). The ends of the bristles in the tufts (31, 32, 33) have been fastened into the head (1) by fusing them by heat into a mass (5) then cooling. In the bristle face (1A) head are located sockets (6), and each mass (5) is located in a socket (6) and fused in place therein with the material of the toothbrush head (1), both the head material and bristle material being thermoplastic. The tufts (31, 32, 33) of the toothbrushes of Figs. 1 to 8 are fastened into the heads (1) of their respective toothbrushes in a similar way to that shown in Fig. 10. The technique used to fuse the mass (5) into the socket (6) may be that of US 2664316 or WO 93/10639, or other known methods, and the fixing of the tufts (31, 32, 33) into the head (1) is shown only representatively.

Claims (10)

  1. A toothbrush, having a handle (2) and at one end thereof a bristle bearing head (1), the bristles (3) on the head (1) all being arranged in a pattern of a plurality of discrete tufts projecting from a face (4) ("bristle face") of the toothbrush head (1) in a direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, characterised by one or more of the tufts (31) ("first tufts") having a cross section perpendicular to the tuft axis which has a greater dimension in the direction generally parallel to the toothbrush axis than in the direction generally perpendicular to the toothbrush axis, in combination with one or more tufts (32) ("second tufts") at the end of the tuft pattern remote from the handle (2), the second tufts (32) being in the form of either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally "C" or "U" shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the "C" or "U" aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the "C" or "U" facing the end of the bristle face (4) remote from the handle (2).
  2. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised in that the cross section of the first tufts (31) is generally rectangular in shape over a substantial part of their cross-sectional area, having the long dimension of the rectangle aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis.
  3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the cross section of one or more of the first tufts (31) have other generally linear polygonal or rounded shapes having a length dimension aligned generally parallel or substantially parallel to the toothbrush axis.
  4. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised in that the cross section of one or more of the first tufts (31) is "L" shaped having a first limb (34) aligned generally parallel to the toothbrush axis and a second limb (34A) aligned at an angle to the first limb (34).
  5. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised in that the width dimension of individual first tufts (31) is such that the first tufts are arranged in two or more lateral rows across the width of the bristle face (4).
  6. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised by having a tuft pattern comprising two or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts (31), combined with, one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face (4), of third tufts (33) which are of generally circular section.
  7. A toothbrush according to claim 1 characterised by having a tuft pattern comprising two or more straight or curved lateral rows, aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of first tufts (31) combined with one or more straight or curved rows aligned generally across the width of the bristle face, of third tufts (33) which are of generally rectangular section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face (4).
  8. A toothbrush according to claim 6 or 7 characterised by two to five third tufts (33) of generally circular section, or one to three third tufts (33) of generally rectangular section having their longest dimension aligned across the width of the bristle face (4), abreast across the width of the bristle face (4).
  9. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that when the second tufts (32) comprise a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern such second tufts are in a pattern of tufts of generally circular section arranged in generally a circle or polygon, each corner of which corresponding to a centre of one of its tufts, which is arranged around a central tuft.
  10. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the first tufts (31) comprise bristles of shorter length than those in the second (32) and third (33) tufts, and those of the second (32) and third (33) tufts are of substantially the same length.
EP94925478A 1993-09-02 1994-08-26 Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush Expired - Lifetime EP0716573B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9318203 1993-09-02
GB939318203A GB9318203D0 (en) 1993-09-02 1993-09-02 Novel device
GB9411453 1994-06-08
GB9411453A GB9411453D0 (en) 1994-06-08 1994-06-08 Novel device
PCT/EP1994/002828 WO1995006420A1 (en) 1993-09-02 1994-08-26 Bristle arrangement for a toothbrush

Publications (2)

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EP0716573A1 EP0716573A1 (en) 1996-06-19
EP0716573B1 true EP0716573B1 (en) 1997-01-22

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JP (1) JPH09502110A (en)
KR (1) KR100334375B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1041690C (en)
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CA (1) CA2170741A1 (en)
CZ (1) CZ288559B6 (en)
DE (2) DE69401595T2 (en)
DK (1) DK0716573T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2097662T3 (en)
FI (1) FI107774B (en)
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USD631257S1 (en) 2009-12-15 2011-01-25 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
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US10631964B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2020-04-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
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US6886207B1 (en) 1999-06-14 2005-05-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
US7707676B2 (en) 1999-06-14 2010-05-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
US8955186B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2015-02-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes
US8584299B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2013-11-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes
USD655916S1 (en) 2008-08-29 2012-03-20 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD642803S1 (en) 2008-08-29 2011-08-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD642802S1 (en) 2008-08-29 2011-08-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD632084S1 (en) 2008-08-29 2011-02-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8776302B2 (en) 2008-08-29 2014-07-15 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US9549607B2 (en) 2008-08-29 2017-01-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD655918S1 (en) 2009-12-15 2012-03-20 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD642804S1 (en) 2009-12-15 2011-08-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD655917S1 (en) 2009-12-15 2012-03-20 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD671325S1 (en) 2009-12-15 2012-11-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD631257S1 (en) 2009-12-15 2011-01-25 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
EP2494885A1 (en) * 2011-03-03 2012-09-05 Unilever Plc, A Company Registered In England And Wales under company no. 41424 of Unilever House Toothbrush

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WO1995006420A1 (en) 1995-03-09
SK279293B6 (en) 1998-09-09
EP0716573A1 (en) 1996-06-19
HU9600514D0 (en) 1996-04-29
SK26496A3 (en) 1996-07-03
AU7537294A (en) 1995-03-22
FI960976A0 (en) 1996-03-01
CN1041690C (en) 1999-01-20
HK1006268A1 (en) 1999-02-19
DE69401595T2 (en) 1997-06-26
HUT75134A (en) 1997-04-28
DK0716573T3 (en) 1997-03-10
DE4496455T1 (en) 1996-11-14
CZ62996A3 (en) 1996-10-16
ES2097662T3 (en) 1997-04-01
JPH09502110A (en) 1997-03-04
KR960704479A (en) 1996-10-09
CA2170741A1 (en) 1995-03-09
KR100334375B1 (en) 2002-10-18
HU215338B (en) 1998-12-28
GR3022989T3 (en) 1997-07-30
PL175240B1 (en) 1998-11-30
DE69401595D1 (en) 1997-03-06
PL313293A1 (en) 1996-06-24
CN1134103A (en) 1996-10-23
FI960976A (en) 1996-04-26
AU685493B2 (en) 1998-01-22
NO960855D0 (en) 1996-03-01
RU2118111C1 (en) 1998-08-27
NO960855L (en) 1996-04-25
BR9407571A (en) 1996-07-16
FI107774B (en) 2001-10-15
ATE147951T1 (en) 1997-02-15
CZ288559B6 (en) 2001-07-11
NZ271670A (en) 1996-10-28

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