EP0716821A1 - Toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

The ends of the bristles (9) lie on at least two different planes at right angles to the direction in which the bristles extend. At least two tufts (8) of bristles are positioned on a support surface of at most 6 square mm. Either the ends of the bristles of one tuft or the ends of the bristles of adjacent tufts lie on the at least two different planes (10,11,12).

Description

The invention relates to a brush for dental and personal care, consisting of a bristle carrier and bristle bundles attached to it, the ends of the bristles lying in at least two different planes perpendicular to the bristle extension.

A number of factors are important for the effectiveness of toothbrushes. They range from purely geometrical dimensions, such as bristle diameter, bristle length and area of the bristle field, via the bristle density, the bristle material, the strength properties, such as bending ability and straightening ability, to the arrangement of the bristles within the bristle stock.

It was recognized early on that an exclusively flat working surface, ie a flat envelope surface surrounding the bristle ends, leads to inadequate cleaning, in particular in the interdental spaces, since the bristles move substantially in the same direction during cleaning, namely counter to the direction of movement. fold over and do not penetrate sufficiently between the teeth. Similar problem areas are the tooth necks in the area of the transition to the gingiva. Another problem is that the dentition is concave on the outside of the tooth in the anterior tooth region, but convex on the inside, so that in particular cleaning of the inside of the anterior teeth is hardly possible effectively.

The individual tooth also has different curvatures on the outside and inside and, finally, the occlusal surface in the molar area is again designed differently than the outer or inner tooth surface. The inadequate cleaning effect of the aforementioned toothbrushes with a flat work surface and dense bristle stock is essentially due to the bristles being supported with one another, with the result of the deflection of the bristles in each case counter to the direction of movement, and the inadequate adaptation of the work surface to the different teeth or tooth contours.

This is to be remedied, for example, by the bristle bundles having different lengths and / or different angular positions. It is known (US Pat. No. 4,010,509) to make the bristle bundles arranged in the central longitudinal extension of the bristle carrier shorter than the bundles arranged on both sides in the edge region, which are also set at an angle. With regard to the deflection of the bristles, however, the same applies to the individual bundle as to the toothbrush mentioned above. The bundles of the same length generally turn in one direction, namely against the direction of movement.

The same applies to another known toothbrush (US 3rd 722 020), in which the ends of the bristle bundles lie in a total of three working levels, the level of which rises from the central longitudinal axis to the outside. This is intended to achieve an essentially convex effective area, which, however, is at best favorable for the outside of the tooth in the anterior region.

In another known embodiment (US Pat. No. 4,979,782), the bristles of each bundle are of different lengths and form a concave or convex active surface and, finally, the bundles can also have two different lengths from one another by being longer in the front area of the brush than in the rear area . Furthermore, it is known (EP 0 449 655) to arrange bristle bundles with different bundle diameters and different lengths in groups, the active surfaces of the bristle ends lying in two different planes which are essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the bristle carrier. The shorter bundles can inevitably only be effective in one direction of movement if they are in front of the longer bundles in the direction of movement. When moving in the opposite direction, they are encroached upon by the longer bundles which fold over and are therefore ineffective.

Finally, it is known (EP 0 473 312) to provide bristles of different lengths within a bundle. However, this measure serves to be able to provide thickening at the bristle ends without the bundle spreading, which would be the case if the thickening were in one plane. Here, too, the bristles are supported on one another by the thickening and consequently the entire bundle is deflected during cleaning.

Due to the extremely high density of the bristles with the smallest possible diameter required for toothbrushes, it applies to all known embodiments that within the individual bundle the mutual support of the bristles prevents sufficient individual evasion when cleaning.

The various dentistry-recommended cleaning techniques do not change this, e.g. from red (gingiva) to white (tooth) or the oscillation known from mechanically driven toothbrushes. On the contrary, attachment loss (damage to the gums) and damage to the tooth itself are observed in dental research, which are due to excessive brush pressure. Such a high brush pressure inevitably occurs when the user tries to exert a brushing effect even on areas that are difficult to access.

The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing an arrangement in the case of a brush of the construction mentioned at the outset which enables the active surfaces of the bristle bundles to be optimally matched to the given teeth and tooth contours, regardless of the brushing technique used in each case.

This object is achieved in that at least two bristle bundles are arranged on a bristle carrier surface of at most 6mm² and that either the ends of the bristles of a single bundle or the ends of the bristles of adjacent bundles lie in the at least two different planes.

By arranging at least two bristle bundles on an area of at most 6mm², this is initially Possibility created to minimize the effective areas given by the ends of each bristle bundle. The entire working surface of the bristle trimmings is thus broken down into the smallest possible surface elements with a tight arrangement of the same. Through the measures also provided according to the invention, namely to arrange either the ends of the bristles of a single bundle or the ends of the bristles of adjacent bundles in at least two different planes, on the one hand a contouring of the work surface can be divided into the smallest active surfaces of different levels, so that they are at Bite contour have a different depth of penetration, on the other hand the support of the bristles among themselves is reduced, so that they adapt to the given curvatures better or longer bristles dodge more easily and the shorter bristles have a better effect.

In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the bristles of a single bundle or the ends of the bristles of three adjacent bundles lie in three different planes.

The ends of the bristles of a bundle can lie on concentric levels; instead, the levels of the same level can extend several bundles along or across the bristle carrier. The orientation of these planes can also vary in the longitudinal extent of the bristle carrier.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the bristles, the ends of which lie in the same plane, have a diameter that is identical to one another, but different from that of the bristles, the ends of which lie in a different plane.

In this way, the rigidity of the bristles, the ends of which lie in a common effective area, can be designed differently than that of the bristles, the ends of which are arranged in a different plane.

Finally, it can be provided that the bristles, the ends of which lie in one plane, have properties which differ from those of the bristles, the ends of which lie in a different plane, e.g. Have material, surface, color, etc.

Figur 1a:

eine schematische, abgebrochene Ansicht einer Zahnbürste herkömmlicher Art in der Ausgangslage;

Figur 1b:

die Zahnbürste gemäß Fig. 1a in der Gebrauchslage;

Figur 2a:

eine der Fig. 1a entsprechende Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figur 2b:

die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 2a in der Gebrauchslage beim Reinigen der Gebißaußenseite;

Figur 2c:

die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 2a bei der Reinigung der Gebißinnenseite;

Figur 2d:

die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 2a beim Reinigen der Kauflächen;

Figur 3a:

eine schematische Ansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform in der Ausgangslage;

Figur 3b:

die Ausführungsform nach Fig. 3a in einer Gebrauchslage;

Figur 4a:

ein einzelnes, herkömmliches Borstenbündel;

Figur 4b:

eine erste Ausführungsform eines Bündels mit gestuften Borsten;

Figur 4c:

eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Bündels mit gestuften Borsten;

Figur 4d:

eine dritte Ausführungsform eines Bündels mit gestuften Borsten;

Figur 5a:

zwei benachbarte Borstenbündel mit gestufter Arbeitsfläche;

Figur 5b:

drei benachbarte Borstenbündel mit gestufter Arbeitsfläche;

Figur 6a:

einer der Figur 5b entsprechende Ausführungsform mit unterschiedlichen Borsten;

Figur 6b:

eine der Figur 5a entsprechende Ausführungsform mit verschiedenen Borsten und

Figur 7:

die geometrische Abmessung eines Teilbereichs des Borstenbesatzes einer Zahnbürste.

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

Figure 1a:

is a schematic, broken view of a conventional toothbrush in the starting position;

Figure 1b:

the toothbrush according to Figure 1a in the use position.

Figure 2a:

a view corresponding to FIG. 1a of a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2b:

the embodiment of Figure 2a in the use position when cleaning the outside of the dentition.

Figure 2c:

the embodiment of Figure 2a when cleaning the inside of the dentition.

Figure 2d:

the embodiment of Figure 2a when cleaning the occlusal surfaces;

Figure 3a:

a schematic view of a second embodiment in the starting position;

Figure 3b:

the embodiment of Figure 3a in a position of use.

Figure 4a:

a single, conventional bundle of bristles;

Figure 4b:

a first embodiment of a bundle with stepped bristles;

Figure 4c:

a second embodiment of a bundle with stepped bristles;

Figure 4d:

a third embodiment of a bundle with stepped bristles;

Figure 5a:

two adjacent bristle bundles with a stepped work surface;

Figure 5b:

three adjacent bristle bundles with a stepped work surface;

Figure 6a:

an embodiment corresponding to FIG. 5b with different bristles;

Figure 6b:

an embodiment corresponding to Figure 5a with different bristles and

Figure 7:

the geometric dimension of a portion of the bristle trim of a toothbrush.

7, which shows a section of a bristle holder with bristle trimmings. 25 bristle bundles, each with a diameter of 0.6 mm, are arranged on an area of 6 cm 2, the bundles also being spaced apart by a distance of 0.6 mm, so that four bundles are arranged on about 6 mm 2. Such an arrangement can be realized by optimizing the latest manufacturing technologies.

FIG. 1a shows a section of a toothbrush manufactured using this manufacturing technology with a conventional bristle or bundle arrangement. It consists of a bristle carrier 1 and bundles 2, which are each formed from a plurality of bristles 3. The bristle bundles 2 have the same length, so that their ends lie on a flat envelope surface which forms the working surface 4.

FIG. 1b shows schematically a bit in the anterior region with the anterior teeth 5 and the first molar 6 adjoining the anterior region. When the cleaning movement is carried out, the ends of the bristle bundles 2 fold against the direction of movement, as can be seen in the bristle bundle 2 shown on the left. In between, the bristle bundles spread out, but without their ends having a significant effect, while the bristle bundles 2 shown further to the right remain without any effect. In particular, it can be seen that the bristles do not penetrate the interdental spaces, or only very insufficiently. FIG. 2a shows a toothbrush according to the invention, in which bristle bundles 8 are in turn attached to the bristle carrier 7 in the arrangement shown in FIG. 7. The bristles 9 of each bundle 8 or groups of bristles are of different lengths, so that their ends in the embodiment shown are in three stepped working planes 10, 11 and 12, respectively.

FIG. 2b shows the toothbrush according to FIG. 2a in one of the usual positions of use when cleaning the teeth on the outside of the teeth. Again, the front teeth 5 and the first molar tooth 6 can be seen. When the bristles are pressed on, they evade in a much more varied manner during the cleaning movement, as is clear from a comparison of FIGS. 1b and 2b. While the bristle bundle lying on the left bends completely in one direction (against the direction of movement), but the outer contour of the tooth fits against the outer contour of the tooth due to the stepped effective surfaces of the individual bristles of the bundle, the bristles of each bundle yield and penetrate in different directions in the other bundles this in turn partially flawlessly into the interdental spaces, while other bristles of the same bundle or the bristles of the adjacent bundle take effect on the tooth surfaces. The same applies to cleaning the inside of the teeth, as can be seen in FIG. 2c. The bristles therefore optimally adapt to the contour of the surfaces to be cleaned, including the interdental spaces. The same optimal adaptation results, as shown in FIG. 2d, on the occlusal surfaces.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3a, each bundle 10 has central bristles 11, the ends of which are on one Active surface 12 lie, as well as groups of bristles 12 and 13 arranged on both sides of bristles 11, the ends of which in turn lie in two different active surfaces 15, 16. The effect of such an embodiment can be seen from FIG. 3b.

Figure 4a shows a single bristle bundle 2 corresponding to the embodiment of Figure 1a. The bristles 3 of such a bundle 2, which essentially has the indicated circular shape, have the same length.

FIG. 4b shows a single bristle bundle 8 corresponding to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2a to d. The ends of the bristles of such a bundle 8 are stepped in three planes transverse to the bundle extension. In addition to a segment with bundles 17 of greatest length, there is a segment with bundles 18 of medium length and next to it a segment with bundles 19 of smallest length. FIG. 4c shows an annular gradation of the active surfaces of the bristles of a bundle 20, namely with an outer group of bristles 21 of the shortest length, a middle group of bristles 22 of medium length and a central group with bristles 23 of the greatest length.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4d, the reverse arrangement is provided on a bundle of bristles 24. This therefore has a central group of bristles 25 of the smallest length, a group of bristles 26 of medium length surrounding this concentrically and an outer group of bristles 27 of the greatest length.

Instead of the grading of the active surfaces of an individual bundle, the active surface of adjacent bundles can also be at different levels in the arrangement according to FIG.

5a shows two adjacent bundles 28, 29, the cross section of which is in the form of a segment of a circle, the bristles of the bundle 28 having a greater length than that of the bundle 29. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5b, three bundles with a circular cross section are in the arrangement according to FIG. 7 of different lengths, the bundle 30 having the longest bristles, the bundle 31 having the medium length bristles and the bundle 32 having the shortest length.

A further design possibility arises, as shown in Figure 6a, in that the bristles of adjacent bundles 33, 34 and 35 have different diameters or, as indicated in Figure 6b, the bristles of adjacent bundles 36, 37 have different properties, e.g. consist of different materials or have different surface properties.

Claims (6)

Brush for dental and body care, consisting of a bristle carrier and bristle bundles attached to it, the ends of the bristles lying in at least two different planes perpendicular to the bristle extension, characterized in that at least two bristle bundles (8) are arranged on a bristle carrier surface of at most 6 mm² and that either the ends of the bristles (9) of a single bundle (8) or the ends of the bristles of adjacent bundles (28, 29) lie in the at least two different planes (10, 11, 12). Brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the ends of the bristles (9) of a single bundle (8) or the ends of the bristles of three adjacent bundles (33, 34, 35) lie in three different planes (10, 11, 12) . Brush according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ends of the bristles (21, 22, 23) of a bundle (20) lie on concentric planes. Brush according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the levels (10, 11, 12) of the same level of a plurality of bundles (8) extend along or across the bristle carrier. Brush according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bristles, the ends of which lie in the same plane, have the same diameter as one another, but different from those of the bristles, the ends of which lie in a different plane, of different diameters. Brush according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bristles, the ends of which lie in the same plane, have properties which are the same but different from those of the bristles, the ends of which are in a different plane, e.g. Have material, surface, color, etc.

Images