EP1079711A1 - Toothbrush with reservoir - Google Patents

Toothbrush with reservoir

Info

Publication number
EP1079711A1
EP1079711A1 EP99920901A EP99920901A EP1079711A1 EP 1079711 A1 EP1079711 A1 EP 1079711A1 EP 99920901 A EP99920901 A EP 99920901A EP 99920901 A EP99920901 A EP 99920901A EP 1079711 A1 EP1079711 A1 EP 1079711A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reservoir
piston
rod
toothpaste
toothbrush
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99920901A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Francois Darne
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1079711A1 publication Critical patent/EP1079711A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
    • A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
    • A46B11/002—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
    • A46B11/0024—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means with a permanently displaceable pressurising member that remain in position unless actuated, e.g. lead-screw or ratchet mechanisms, toothpaste tube twisting or rolling devices

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to toothbrushes intended to ensure oral hygiene.
  • Such toothbrushes have been well known for a long time, and are traditionally constituted by a handle of elongated shape and intended to facilitate its gripping by a user, one end of this handle being provided with bristles located substantially perpendicular to one of the faces. of the handle. These bristles are intended to receive a toothpaste composition for brushing and cleaning the teeth and / or gums of the user.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to toothbrushes in which the handle forms a reservoir for the toothpaste composition, whether this composition is liquid, semi-liquid or pasty.
  • Such toothbrushes with a reservoir handle are also known, for example, from the documents US-A-2 908925, US-A-4013 370, DE-A-3630 151, US-A-5 066 155, DE- U-91 03380 or WO-96/32863.
  • the toothbrushes have hollow handles constituting reservoirs of a toothpaste.
  • a threaded rod extends into the reservoir, being integral with a knurl located at the end of the handle distant from the bristles.
  • a rotation applied to the knob advances a piston in the reservoir along the threaded rod, in the manner of a device of the screw-nut type, so as to push the toothpaste into a chamber located directly above the bristles and provided with openings to let the toothpaste pass through these bristles and make the toothbrush operational.
  • toothbrush whose handle forms a reservoir of toothpaste, this reservoir being removable so that it can be replaced when it is empty.
  • the toothbrush described in this last document includes a push device for bringing the toothpaste to the level of the bristles.
  • the toothbrushes known from these documents have various drawbacks: when drying, the toothpaste risks blocking the outlet orifice (s) of this substance, making the toothbrush unusable.
  • the amount of toothpaste is necessarily limited by the internal volume of the handle of the toothbrush, which results in a bulky toothbrush if it is desired to be usable for a minimum time which is not not too restricted, or, conversely, the toothbrush becomes unusable prematurely due to a lack of toothpaste in the internal volume of the handle, the bristles of the toothbrush being still practically new.
  • the known toothbrushes and provided with reservoirs do not make it possible to measure with a minimum of precision the quantity of toothpaste used, which results in a shortened lifespan of the toothbrush, the user always having a tendency to inject more toothpaste than is necessary, all the more so since he does not see or sees badly the quantity of toothpaste brought about by the operation of the control mechanism.
  • the central rod forming a screw and passing through the tank must have a high resistance to torsion, and therefore cannot generally be made of plastic, which would bring a risk of rupture of the rod, therefore would lead to a premature end of the brush by failure of the internal mechanism.
  • the present invention is placed in this context and its object is to provide a toothbrush with incorporated reservoir, delivering only a predetermined dose of toothpaste, allowing a large number of brushings compatible with normal use of bristles, and the clogging by drying of the toothpaste substance orifice at the level of the bristles is avoided.
  • the present invention provides a toothbrush comprising, on the one hand, a reservoir of toothpaste incorporated in a handle extending at one end by a brush consisting of a base on which bristles are implanted, and, on the other hand, a system for injecting the toothpaste at the base of the bristles of the piston type sliding in the tank, the piston dividing the tank into a main chamber containing the toothpaste and an empty chamber, the piston being movable in translation along a rod, a plug closing the reservoir being fixed at a second end of the handle.
  • the rod is fixed relative to the plug.
  • the rod and the piston cooperate by a unidirectional clutch device, such a unidirectional clutch device being able to allow the piston to move away from the plug and to prevent it from approaching it.
  • a unidirectional clutch device being able to allow the piston to move away from the plug and to prevent it from approaching it.
  • the rod has frustoconical ridges cooperating with an opening formed in the piston.
  • the opening formed in the piston itself has a frustoconical shape complementary to that of the striations of the rod.
  • part of the wall of the main chamber of the tank is made of flexible material, and is biased towards the outside of the main chamber by elastic means.
  • a washer is disposed between the flexible part of the wall of the main chamber and the elastic means.
  • a valve system may include a spring branch arranged opposite the opening of the wall of the main chamber.
  • FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush produced in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of part II of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows a view of the central part of the piston fitted to the toothbrush of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 4 represents a partial section view of an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush of FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 5 shows a sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 1.
  • a toothbrush produced in accordance with the present invention which comprises a hollow handle 10, of symmetrical cross section, for example circular, rectangular or ovoid.
  • the handle 10 is hollow and defines in its internal volume 12 a reservoir 14 for a toothpaste, preferably a concentrated or highly concentrated toothpaste.
  • a toothpaste preferably a concentrated or highly concentrated toothpaste.
  • the reservoir 14 comprises a front chamber or main chamber 16, filled with the toothpaste substance, and a rear chamber or empty chamber 18.
  • the two chambers 16 and 18 are of variable volumes the sum of which is substantially constant, and they are separated by a piston 20 movable in axial translation, for example made of a relatively rigid plastic material.
  • the rear chamber 18 is, on the other hand, closed towards the rear by a plug 22, for example, screwed or clipped into the handle 10, so as to be integral with the latter in normal operation, and in which a opening 24 putting this rear chamber in permanent communication with the external atmosphere.
  • the front chamber 16 is, for its part, closed towards the front by a wall 26 pierced with an opening 28.
  • a portion 30 of the wall of the front chamber 16, located on the upper face of the toothbrush, c 'ie the face on which the bristles are implanted, is made of a flexible material.
  • a compression spring 32 or other elastic means is disposed in the front chamber 16 so as to urge the flexible part 30 towards the outside of the front chamber 16, for example by resting on the inside of the wall of the chamber front forming the underside of the toothbrush.
  • a washer 33 can be provided between the spring 32 and the flexible part 30 to avoid damaging the latter.
  • a rod 34 is fixed relative to the cap 22, so as to extend in the reservoir 12 in the rear chambers 18 and front 16.
  • the rod 34 may, for example, be made in one piece with the plug 22, or be secured to it by known means.
  • the rod 34 thus passes through the piston 20 which is movable in translation relative to the latter, and forms with it a one-way clutch.
  • the rod 34 is formed on its outer surface with a continuous series of frustoconical ridges 36, all identical and of the same orientation, so as to cooperate with opening 38 made in the piston 20 and to allow movement of the latter on the rod 34 only in one direction, that is to say from the rear to the front.
  • the opening 38 itself has a frustoconical shape complementary to that of the ridges 36, and / or, as shown in FIG. 3, that the edge of the opening 38 has radial cutouts 40 to increase the elasticity of this edge.
  • the toothpaste subjected to this pressure transmits the latter to the walls of the reservoir which contains it.
  • the side walls of the reservoir are rigid enough not to deform, the piston 20 cannot retreat due to the one-way clutch on the rod 34, so that the toothpaste can only flow through the opening 28 of the wall 26, and therefore on the bristles of the toothbrush.
  • a valve system such as that shown in FIG. 1, consisting of a spring, can be provided.
  • the second branch 44 allows the passage of the toothpaste the front chamber outwards, but it obstructs the opening 28 to prevent movement of the toothpaste in the opposite direction.
  • a stop 48 can also be provided at the front end of the front chamber to limit the forward movement of the piston 20.
  • FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush which has just been described.
  • the front chamber 16 communicates by its front end with a passage 46 formed axially in the front end 47 of the toothbrush, the passage 46 opening at the base of the bristles, a valve system 44 ′ similar to the second branch 44 of the spring 41 shown in Figure 1 can be provided.
  • a toothbrush with incorporated reservoir has therefore been produced, delivering only a predetermined dose of toothpaste, thanks to the one-way clutch system between the piston 20 and the rod 34 fixed to the plug 22.
  • the toothpaste located in the front chamber 16 of the reservoir being concentrated, it allows a large number of brushings, substantially equal to the number of brushings recommended for optimal use of the bristles, and the valve system prevents clogging by drying the opening for supply of toothpaste at the level of the bristles.
  • valve system for example, in the variant embodiment according to FIG. 4, it will be possible to provide for the valve system to be manual, and made up of a ring that the user can slide on the front end 47 toothbrush to uncover or cover passage 46.
  • the user can remove the plug 22 and the rod 34 so as to be able to manually bring the piston 20 towards the plug 22, that is to say against the direction of its normal movement, and introduce a new toothpaste into the main chamber 16.

Abstract

The invention concerns a toothbrush comprising a toothpaste substance reservoir (14) incorporated in its handle extended at one end by a brush consisting of a base whereon are implanted bristles and a system injecting the toothpaste substance into the base of the bristles such as a piston (20) sliding in the reservoir (14). The piston (20) divides the reservoir (14) into a main chamber (16) containing the toothpaste substance and an empty chamber (18), and is mobile in translation along a rod (34), a top (22) closing the reservoir (14) being fixed at a second end of the handle. The invention is characterised in that the rod (34) is fixed relative to the top (22).

Description

BROSSE A DENTS A RESERVOIR RESERVOIR TOOTHBRUSH
La présente invention concerne en général les brosses à dents destinées à assurer l'hygiène bucco-dentaire. De telles brosses à dents sont bien connues depuis longtemps, et sont traditionnellement constituées d'un manche de forme allongée et destiné à faciliter sa préhension par un utilisateur, une extrémité de ce manche étant pourvue de soies implantées sensiblement perpendiculairement à l'une des faces du manche. Ces soies sont destinées à recevoir une composition dentifrice pour le brossage et le nettoyage des dents et/ou des gencives de l'utilisateur.The present invention generally relates to toothbrushes intended to ensure oral hygiene. Such toothbrushes have been well known for a long time, and are traditionally constituted by a handle of elongated shape and intended to facilitate its gripping by a user, one end of this handle being provided with bristles located substantially perpendicular to one of the faces. of the handle. These bristles are intended to receive a toothpaste composition for brushing and cleaning the teeth and / or gums of the user.
La présente invention concerne plus particulièrement les brosses à dents dans lesquelles le manche forme un réservoir pour la composition dentifrice, que cette composition soit liquide, semi- liquide ou pâteuse. De telles brosses à dents à manche formant réservoir sont également connues, par exemple, par les documents US- A-2 908925, US-A-4013 370, DE-A-3630 151, US-A-5 066 155, DE-U-91 03380 ou WO-96/32863.The present invention relates more particularly to toothbrushes in which the handle forms a reservoir for the toothpaste composition, whether this composition is liquid, semi-liquid or pasty. Such toothbrushes with a reservoir handle are also known, for example, from the documents US-A-2 908925, US-A-4013 370, DE-A-3630 151, US-A-5 066 155, DE- U-91 03380 or WO-96/32863.
Selon ces documents, les brosses à dents comportent des manches creux constituant des réservoirs d'une substance dentifrice. Une tige filetée s'étend dans le réservoir en étant solidaire d'une mollette située à l'extrémité du manche distante des soies. Une rotation appliquée à la mollette fait progresser dans le réservoir un piston le long de la tige filetée, à la manière d'un dispositif du type vis-écrou, de façon à pousser la substance dentifrice dans une chambre située à l'aplomb des soies et munie d'ouvertures pour laisser passer la substance dentifrice vers ces soies et rendre la brosse à dents opérationnelle.According to these documents, the toothbrushes have hollow handles constituting reservoirs of a toothpaste. A threaded rod extends into the reservoir, being integral with a knurl located at the end of the handle distant from the bristles. A rotation applied to the knob advances a piston in the reservoir along the threaded rod, in the manner of a device of the screw-nut type, so as to push the toothpaste into a chamber located directly above the bristles and provided with openings to let the toothpaste pass through these bristles and make the toothbrush operational.
On connaît également du document US-A-4717278 une brosse à dents dont le manche forme un réservoir de substance dentifrice, ce réservoir étant amovible pour pouvoir être remplacé lorsqu'il est vide. La brosse à dents décrite dans ce dernier document comporte un dispositif à poussoir pour amener la substance dentifrice au niveau des soies.Also known from document US-A-4717278 is a toothbrush whose handle forms a reservoir of toothpaste, this reservoir being removable so that it can be replaced when it is empty. The toothbrush described in this last document includes a push device for bringing the toothpaste to the level of the bristles.
Les brosses à dents connues de ces documents présentent divers inconvénients : en séchant, la substance dentifrice risque d'obstruer le ou les orifices de sortie de cette substance, rendant la brosse à dents inutilisable. D'autre part, la quantité de substance dentifrice est nécessairement limitée par le volume interne du manche de la brosse à dents, ce dont il résulte, une brosse à dents volumineuse si on désire qu'elle soit utilisable pendant un temps minimal qui ne soit pas trop restreint, ou, inversement, la brosse à dents devient inutilisable prématurément par manque de substance dentifrice dans le volume interne du manche, les soies de la brosse à dents étant encore pratiquement à l'état neuf.The toothbrushes known from these documents have various drawbacks: when drying, the toothpaste risks blocking the outlet orifice (s) of this substance, making the toothbrush unusable. On the other hand, the amount of toothpaste is necessarily limited by the internal volume of the handle of the toothbrush, which results in a bulky toothbrush if it is desired to be usable for a minimum time which is not not too restricted, or, conversely, the toothbrush becomes unusable prematurely due to a lack of toothpaste in the internal volume of the handle, the bristles of the toothbrush being still practically new.
De plus, les brosses à dents connues et munies de réservoirs ne permettent pas de doser avec un minimum de précision la quantité de substance dentifrice utilisée, ce qui résulte en une durée de vie écourtée de la brosse à dents, l'utilisateur ayant toujours tendance à injecter plus de substance dentifrice qu'il n'est nécessaire, et ce d'autant plus qu'il ne voit pas ou qu'il voit mal la quantité de substance dentifrice amenée par la manoeuvre du mécanisme de commande. En outre, il est souhaitable que l'utilisateur puisse amener la substance dentifrice sur les soies par une simple pression du pouce sur le manche de la brosse, de manière à éviter ainsi toute obligation d'un mouvement de rotation effectué nécessairement avec les deux mains.In addition, the known toothbrushes and provided with reservoirs do not make it possible to measure with a minimum of precision the quantity of toothpaste used, which results in a shortened lifespan of the toothbrush, the user always having a tendency to inject more toothpaste than is necessary, all the more so since he does not see or sees badly the quantity of toothpaste brought about by the operation of the control mechanism. In addition, it is desirable that the user can bring the toothpaste onto the bristles by a simple pressure of the thumb on the handle of the brush, so as to thus avoid any obligation of a rotational movement necessarily carried out with both hands. .
Par ailleurs, lorsque le réservoir est pourvu d'un dispositif de type vis-écrou, la tige centrale formant vis et traversant le réservoir doit présenter une résistance importante à la torsion, et ne peut donc pas généralement être réalisée dans un plastique, ce qui apporterait un risque de rupture de la tige, donc entraînerait une fin prématurée de la brosse par défaillance du mécanisme interne.Furthermore, when the tank is provided with a screw-nut type device, the central rod forming a screw and passing through the tank must have a high resistance to torsion, and therefore cannot generally be made of plastic, which would bring a risk of rupture of the rod, therefore would lead to a premature end of the brush by failure of the internal mechanism.
La présente invention se place dans ce contexte et a pour objet de proposer une brosse à dents à réservoir incorporé, ne délivrant qu'une dose prédéterminée de substance dentifrice, permettant un grand nombre de brossages compatible avec une utilisation normale des soies, et dont le bouchage par séchage de l'orifice d'alimentation en substance dentifrice au niveau des soies soit évité.The present invention is placed in this context and its object is to provide a toothbrush with incorporated reservoir, delivering only a predetermined dose of toothpaste, allowing a large number of brushings compatible with normal use of bristles, and the clogging by drying of the toothpaste substance orifice at the level of the bristles is avoided.
Dans ce but, la présente invention propose une brosse à dents comportant, d'une part, un réservoir de substance dentifrice incorporé dans un manche se prolongeant à une première extrémité par une brosse constituée par un socle sur lequel sont implantées des soies, et, d'autre part, un système d'injection de la substance dentifrice à la base des soies du type à piston coulissant dans le réservoir, le piston divisant le réservoir en une chambre principale contenant la substance dentifrice et une chambre vide, le piston étant mobile en translation le long d'une tige, un bouchon obturant le réservoir étant fixé à une deuxième extrémité du manche.To this end, the present invention provides a toothbrush comprising, on the one hand, a reservoir of toothpaste incorporated in a handle extending at one end by a brush consisting of a base on which bristles are implanted, and, on the other hand, a system for injecting the toothpaste at the base of the bristles of the piston type sliding in the tank, the piston dividing the tank into a main chamber containing the toothpaste and an empty chamber, the piston being movable in translation along a rod, a plug closing the reservoir being fixed at a second end of the handle.
Selon la présente invention, la tige est fixe par rapport au bouchon.According to the present invention, the rod is fixed relative to the plug.
De préférence, la tige et le piston coopèrent par un dispositif d'embrayage unidirectionnel, un tel dispositif d'embrayage unidirectionnel pouvant permettre au piston de s'éloigner du bouchon et lui interdire de s'en rapprocher.Preferably, the rod and the piston cooperate by a unidirectional clutch device, such a unidirectional clutch device being able to allow the piston to move away from the plug and to prevent it from approaching it.
Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, la tige comporte des stries tronconiques coopérant avec une ouverture formée dans le piston.According to a preferred embodiment, the rod has frustoconical ridges cooperating with an opening formed in the piston.
On peut prévoir que les stries tronconiques de la tige soient identiques et de même orientation.Provision may be made for the frustoconical striations of the rod to be identical and of the same orientation.
De manière avantageuse, l'ouverture formée dans le piston a elle-même une forme tronconique complémentaire de celle des stries de la tige.Advantageously, the opening formed in the piston itself has a frustoconical shape complementary to that of the striations of the rod.
Selon un mode de réalisation, une partie de la paroi de la chambre principale du réservoir est en matériau souple, et est sollicitée vers l'extérieur de la chambre principale par un moyen élastique.According to one embodiment, part of the wall of the main chamber of the tank is made of flexible material, and is biased towards the outside of the main chamber by elastic means.
De préférence, une rondelle est disposée entre la partie souple de la paroi de la chambre principale et le moyen élastique.Preferably, a washer is disposed between the flexible part of the wall of the main chamber and the elastic means.
On peut prévoir que la chambre principale soit fermée vers l'avant par une paroi percée d'une ouverture munie d'un système de valve. Un tel système de valve peut comporter une branche de ressort disposée en face de l'ouverture de la paroi de la chambre principale.Provision may be made for the main bedroom to be closed towards the front by a wall pierced with an opening provided with a valve. Such a valve system may include a spring branch arranged opposite the opening of the wall of the main chamber.
D'autres buts, caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront plus clairement de la description qui suit d'un exemple de réalisation donné à titre illustratif, en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following description of an exemplary embodiment given by way of illustration, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
- La Figure 1 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une brosse à dents réalisée conformément à la présente invention; - La Figure 2 représente une vue à plus grande échelle de la partie II de la Figure 1;- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a toothbrush produced in accordance with the present invention; - Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of part II of Figure 1;
- La Figure 3 représente une vue de la partie centrale du piston équipant la brosse à dents de la Figure 1;- Figure 3 shows a view of the central part of the piston fitted to the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- La Figure 4 représente une vue en coupe partielle d'une variante de réalisation de la brosse à dents de la Figure 1, etFIG. 4 represents a partial section view of an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush of FIG. 1, and
- La Figure 5 représente une vue en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la Figure 1.- Figure 5 shows a sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 1.
On a représenté schématiquement sur la Figure 1 une brosse à dents réalisée conformément à la présente invention, et qui comporte un manche creux 10, de section transversale symétrique, par exemple circulaire, rectangulaire ou ovoïde. Le manche 10 est creux et définit en son volume intérieur 12 un réservoir 14 pour une substance dentifrice, de préférence un liquide dentifrice concentré ou fortement concentré. Un dentifrice avantageux susceptible d'être utilisé avec la brosse à dents de la présente invention a été décrit dans la demande de brevet français 9604902 déposée au nom du présent Déposant.There is shown schematically in Figure 1 a toothbrush produced in accordance with the present invention, and which comprises a hollow handle 10, of symmetrical cross section, for example circular, rectangular or ovoid. The handle 10 is hollow and defines in its internal volume 12 a reservoir 14 for a toothpaste, preferably a concentrated or highly concentrated toothpaste. An advantageous toothpaste capable of being used with the toothbrush of the present invention has been described in French patent application 9604902 filed in the name of the present Applicant.
Le réservoir 14 comporte une chambre avant ou chambre principale 16, remplie de la substance dentifrice, et une chambre arrière ou chambre vide 18. Les deux chambres 16 et 18 sont de volumes variables dont la somme est sensiblement constante, et elles sont séparées par un piston 20 mobile en translation axiale, par exemple réalisé dans un matériau plastique relativement rigide. La chambre arrière 18 est, d'autre part, fermée vers l'arrière par un bouchon 22, par exemple, vissé ou clipsé dans le manche 10, de manière à être solidaire de ce dernier en fonctionnement normal, et dans lequel est pratiquée une ouverture 24 mettant en communication permanente cette chambre arrière avec l'atmosphère extérieure.The reservoir 14 comprises a front chamber or main chamber 16, filled with the toothpaste substance, and a rear chamber or empty chamber 18. The two chambers 16 and 18 are of variable volumes the sum of which is substantially constant, and they are separated by a piston 20 movable in axial translation, for example made of a relatively rigid plastic material. The rear chamber 18 is, on the other hand, closed towards the rear by a plug 22, for example, screwed or clipped into the handle 10, so as to be integral with the latter in normal operation, and in which a opening 24 putting this rear chamber in permanent communication with the external atmosphere.
La chambre avant 16 est, quant à elle, fermée vers l'avant par une paroi 26 percée d'une ouverture 28. Une partie 30 de la paroi de la chambre avant 16, située sur la face supérieure de la brosse à dents, c'est à dire la face sur laquelle sont implantées les soies, est réalisée en un matériau souple. Un ressort de compression 32 ou un autre moyen élastique est disposé dans la chambre avant 16 de façon à solliciter la partie souple 30 vers l'extérieur de la chambre avant 16, par exemple en prenant appui sur le côté intérieur de la paroi de la chambre avant formant la face inférieure de la brosse à dents. On pourra avantageusement prévoir une rondelle 33 entre le ressort 32 et la partie souple 30 pour éviter d'endommager celle-ci.The front chamber 16 is, for its part, closed towards the front by a wall 26 pierced with an opening 28. A portion 30 of the wall of the front chamber 16, located on the upper face of the toothbrush, c 'ie the face on which the bristles are implanted, is made of a flexible material. A compression spring 32 or other elastic means is disposed in the front chamber 16 so as to urge the flexible part 30 towards the outside of the front chamber 16, for example by resting on the inside of the wall of the chamber front forming the underside of the toothbrush. Advantageously, a washer 33 can be provided between the spring 32 and the flexible part 30 to avoid damaging the latter.
Conformément à la présente invention, une tige 34 est fixe par rapport au bouchon 22, de façon à s'étendre dans le réservoir 12 dans les chambres arrière 18 et avant 16. La tige 34 peut, par exemple, être venue de matière avec le bouchon 22, ou être solidarisée à lui par un moyen connu. La tige 34 traverse ainsi le piston 20 qui est mobile en translation par rapport à celle-ci, et forme avec lui un embrayage unidirectionnel.According to the present invention, a rod 34 is fixed relative to the cap 22, so as to extend in the reservoir 12 in the rear chambers 18 and front 16. The rod 34 may, for example, be made in one piece with the plug 22, or be secured to it by known means. The rod 34 thus passes through the piston 20 which is movable in translation relative to the latter, and forms with it a one-way clutch.
De façon plus précise, et comme on l'a représenté plus en détail sur la Figure 2, la tige 34 est formée à sa surface extérieure avec une série continue de stries tronconiques 36, toutes identiques et de même orientation, de manière à coopérer avec l'ouverture 38 pratiquée dans le piston 20 et à ne permettre le mouvement de ce dernier sur la tige 34 que dans un seul sens, c'est à dire de l'arrière vers l'avant.More precisely, and as shown in more detail in Figure 2, the rod 34 is formed on its outer surface with a continuous series of frustoconical ridges 36, all identical and of the same orientation, so as to cooperate with opening 38 made in the piston 20 and to allow movement of the latter on the rod 34 only in one direction, that is to say from the rear to the front.
On pourra avantageusement prévoir, comme on l'a représenté sur la Figure 2, que l'ouverture 38 ait elle-même une forme tronconique complémentaire de celle des stries 36, et/ou, comme on Ta représenté sur la Figure 3, que le bord de l'ouverture 38 présente des découpes radiales 40 pour accroître l'élasticité de ce bord.Advantageously, it can be provided, as shown in FIG. 2, that the opening 38 itself has a frustoconical shape complementary to that of the ridges 36, and / or, as shown in FIG. 3, that the edge of the opening 38 has radial cutouts 40 to increase the elasticity of this edge.
D'après ce qui précède, on aura compris comment la présente invention peut être mise en oeuvre. En effet, lorsque l'utilisateur désire utiliser la brosse à dents, il lui suffit de la prendre dans une seule main, de façon à ce que son pouce soit situé au voisinage de la partie souple 30. Un appui effectué du pouce sur cette partie souple 30 engendre une diminution de volume de la chambre avant 16, et donc une augmentation de la pression dans cette dernière.From the above, it will be understood how the present invention can be implemented. In fact, when the user wishes to use the toothbrush, he only has to take it in one hand, so that his thumb is located in the vicinity of the flexible part 30. Pressing the thumb on this part flexible 30 generates a reduction in volume of the front chamber 16, and therefore an increase in the pressure in the latter.
La substance dentifrice soumise à cette pression transmet cette dernière aux parois du réservoir qui la contient. Les parois latérales du réservoir sont suffisamment rigides pour ne pas se déformer, le piston 20 ne peut reculer du fait de l'embrayage unidirectionnel sur la tige 34, de sorte que la substance dentifrice ne peut s'écouler que par l'ouverture 28 de la paroi 26, et donc sur les soies de la brosse à dents.The toothpaste subjected to this pressure transmits the latter to the walls of the reservoir which contains it. The side walls of the reservoir are rigid enough not to deform, the piston 20 cannot retreat due to the one-way clutch on the rod 34, so that the toothpaste can only flow through the opening 28 of the wall 26, and therefore on the bristles of the toothbrush.
Dans le cas où la substance dentifrice est liquide, on pourra avantageusement prévoir, comme on Ta représenté sur la FigureIn the case where the toothpaste is liquid, provision may advantageously be made, as shown in FIG.
5, que le socle sur lequel sont implantées les soies présente des bords relevés 40, de manière à ce que ce liquide ne déborde de la brosse à dents et/ou ne coule pas hors des soies. Lorsque l'utilisateur relâche son appui sur la partie souple 30, la pression au sein de la substance dentifrice s'abaisse et redevient égale à la pression atmosphérique. Pour empêcher que la substance dentifrice qui s'est écoulée par l'ouverture 28 ne reflue dans la chambre avant du réservoir, on peut prévoir un système de valve tel que celui qu'on a représenté sur la Figure 1, constitué d'un ressort plat 41 dont une première branche 42 est fixée sur le manche de la brosse à dents, et dont une deuxième branche 44 est disposée en face de l'ouverture 28. De la sorte, la deuxième branche 44 permet le passage de la substance dentifrice de la chambre avant vers l'extérieur, mais elle vient obstruer l'ouverture 28 pour empêcher le mouvement de la substance dentifrice en sens inverse.5, that the base on which the bristles are located has raised edges 40, so that this liquid does not overflow from the toothbrush and / or does not flow out of the bristles. When the user releases his support on the flexible part 30, the pressure within the toothpaste decreases and becomes equal to atmospheric pressure. To prevent the toothpaste which has flowed through the opening 28 from flowing back into the front chamber of the reservoir, a valve system such as that shown in FIG. 1, consisting of a spring, can be provided. dish 41, a first branch 42 of which is fixed to the handle of the toothbrush, and a second branch 44 of which is disposed opposite the opening 28. In this way, the second branch 44 allows the passage of the toothpaste the front chamber outwards, but it obstructs the opening 28 to prevent movement of the toothpaste in the opposite direction.
La substance dentifrice ne pouvant refluer vers la chambre avant 16 du réservoir, et l'utilisateur relâchant son appui sur la partie souple 30, il en résulte une diminution de la pression dans cette chambre avant 16, qui devient inférieure à la pression atmosphérique. Le piston 20 est donc soumis sur ses deux faces à une pression différentielle, qui engendre sur lui une force tendant à l'éloigner du bouchon 22. Le piston 20 peut donc se mouvoir dans cette direction grâce à l'embrayage unidirectionnel formé entre la tige 34 et le piston 20.Since the toothpaste cannot flow back towards the front chamber 16 of the reservoir, and the user releasing his support on the flexible part 30, this results in a reduction in the pressure in this front chamber 16, which becomes lower than atmospheric pressure. The piston 20 is therefore subjected on its two faces to a differential pressure, which generates on it a force tending to move it away from the plug 22. The piston 20 can therefore move in this direction thanks to the unidirectional clutch formed between the rod 34 and the piston 20.
On pourra prévoir que la distance entre deux stries successives 36 de la tige 34 corresponde à une dose de substance dentifrice. On pourra également prévoir à l'extrémité avant de la chambre avant une butée 48 pour limiter le mouvement vers Tavant du piston 20.Provision may be made for the distance between two successive striations 36 of the rod 34 to correspond to a dose of toothpaste. A stop 48 can also be provided at the front end of the front chamber to limit the forward movement of the piston 20.
On a représenté sur la Figure 4 une variante de réalisation de la brosse à dents qui vient d'être décrite. Selon cette variante, la chambre avant 16 communique par son extrémité avant avec un passage 46 formé axialement dans l'extrémité avant 47 de la brosse à dents, le passage 46 débouchant à la base des soies, un système de valve 44' semblable à la deuxième branche 44 du ressort 41 représenté sur la Figure 1 pouvant être prévu.FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush which has just been described. According to this variant, the front chamber 16 communicates by its front end with a passage 46 formed axially in the front end 47 of the toothbrush, the passage 46 opening at the base of the bristles, a valve system 44 ′ similar to the second branch 44 of the spring 41 shown in Figure 1 can be provided.
On a donc bien réalisé une brosse à dents à réservoir incorporé, ne délivrant qu'une dose prédéterminée de substance dentifrice, grâce au système d'embrayage unidirectionnel entre le piston 20 et la tige 34 fixée au bouchon 22. La substance dentifrice située dans la chambre avant 16 du réservoir étant concentrée, elle permet un grand nombre de brossages, sensiblement égal au nombre de brossages préconisé pour une utilisation optimale des soies, et le système de valve évite le bouchage par séchage de l'ouverture d'alimentation en substance dentifrice au niveau des soies.A toothbrush with incorporated reservoir has therefore been produced, delivering only a predetermined dose of toothpaste, thanks to the one-way clutch system between the piston 20 and the rod 34 fixed to the plug 22. The toothpaste located in the front chamber 16 of the reservoir being concentrated, it allows a large number of brushings, substantially equal to the number of brushings recommended for optimal use of the bristles, and the valve system prevents clogging by drying the opening for supply of toothpaste at the level of the bristles.
Bien entendu, la présente invention n'est pas limitée aux seuls modes de réalisation qui ont été décrits, mais elle est susceptible au contraire de recevoir de nombreuses modifications qui apparaîtront à l'homme du métier.Of course, the present invention is not limited to the single embodiments which have been described, but it is on the contrary liable to receive numerous modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.
C'est ainsi, par exemple, que Ton pourra prévoir, dans la variante de réalisation selon la Figure 4, que le système de valve soit manuel, et constitué d'une bague que l'utilisateur peut faire coulisser sur l'extrémité avant 47 de la brosse à dents, pour découvrir ou recouvrir le passage 46.Thus, for example, in the variant embodiment according to FIG. 4, it will be possible to provide for the valve system to be manual, and made up of a ring that the user can slide on the front end 47 toothbrush to uncover or cover passage 46.
On peut également prévoir que, lorsque, après utilisation, la chambre principale 16 n'enferme pratiquement plus de substance dentifrice, l'utilisateur puisse ôter le bouchon 22 et la tige 34 de manière à pouvoir ramener manuellement le piston 20 vers le bouchon 22, c'est à dire à contre-sens de son mouvement normal, et introduir une nouvelle substance dentifrice dans la chambre principale 16. It can also be provided that, when, after use, the main chamber 16 contains practically no more toothpaste, the user can remove the plug 22 and the rod 34 so as to be able to manually bring the piston 20 towards the plug 22, that is to say against the direction of its normal movement, and introduce a new toothpaste into the main chamber 16.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 - Brosse à dents comportant, d'une part, un réservoir (14) de substance dentifrice incorporé dans un manche se prolongeant à une première extrémité par une brosse constituée par un socle sur lequel sont implantées des soies, et, d'autre part, un système d'injection de la substance dentifrice à la base des soies du type à piston (20) coulissant dans le dit réservoir (14), le dit piston (20) divisant le dit réservoir (14) en une chambre principale (16) contenant la substance dentifrice et une chambre vide (18), le dit piston (20) étant mobile en translation le long d'une tige (34), un bouchon (22) obturant le dit réservoir (14) étant fixé à une deuxième extrémité du manche, caractérisée en ce que la dite tige (34) est fixe par rapport au dit bouchon (22).1 - Toothbrush comprising, on the one hand, a reservoir (14) of toothpaste incorporated in a handle extending at one end by a brush constituted by a base on which are set bristles, and, on the other hand , a system for injecting the toothpaste at the base of the piston type bristles (20) sliding in the said reservoir (14), the said piston (20) dividing the said reservoir (14) into a main chamber (16 ) containing the toothpaste and an empty chamber (18), the said piston (20) being movable in translation along a rod (34), a plug (22) closing the said reservoir (14) being fixed to a second end of the handle, characterized in that said rod (34) is fixed relative to said plug (22).
2 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la dite tige (34) et le dit piston (20) coopèrent par un dispositif d'embrayage unidirectionnel (36, 38).2 - Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that said rod (34) and said piston (20) cooperate by a one-way clutch device (36, 38).
3 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le dit dispositif d'embrayage unidirectionnel (36, 38) permet au dit piston (20) de s'éloigner du bouchon (22) et lui interdit de s'en rapprocher.3 - Toothbrush according to claim 2, characterized in that said one-way clutch device (36, 38) allows said piston (20) to move away from the plug (22) and prevents it from approaching it .
4 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que la dite tige (34) comporte des stries tronconiques (36) coopérant avec une ouverture (38) formée dans le dit piston (20). 5 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que les dites stries tronconiques (36) de la tige (34) sont identiques et de même orientation.4 - Toothbrush according to claim 3, characterized in that said rod (34) comprises frustoconical ridges (36) cooperating with an opening (38) formed in said piston (20). 5 - Toothbrush according to claim 4, characterized in that said frustoconical striations (36) of the rod (34) are identical and of the same orientation.
6 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la dite ouverture (38) formée dans le piston (20) a elle- même une forme tronconique complémentaire de celle des dites stries (36) de la tige (34).6 - Toothbrush according to claim 5, characterized in that said opening (38) formed in the piston (20) itself has a frustoconical shape complementary to that of said streaks (36) of the rod (34).
7 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'une partie (30) de la paroi de la chambre principale (16) du dit réservoir (14) est en matériau souple, et est sollicitée vers l'extérieur de la dite chambre principale (16) par un moyen élastique (32).7 - Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that a part (30) of the wall of the main chamber (16) of said reservoir (14) is made of flexible material, and is biased towards the outside of the said main chamber (16) by elastic means (32).
8 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce qu'une rondelle (33) est disposée entre la partie en matériau souple (30) de la paroi de la dite chambre principale (16) et le dit moyen élastique (32).8 - Toothbrush according to claim 7, characterized in that a washer (33) is arranged between the part of flexible material (30) of the wall of said main chamber (16) and said elastic means (32) .
9 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la dite chambre principale (16) est fermée vers Tavant par une paroi (26) percée d'une ouverture (28) munie d'un système de valve (44, 44').9 - Toothbrush according to claim 1, characterized in that said main chamber (16) is closed towards the front by a wall (26) pierced with an opening (28) provided with a valve system (44, 44 ').
10 - Brosse à dents selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce que le dit système de valve (44, 44') comporte une branche de ressort (44, 44') disposée en face de l'ouverture (28) de la paroi (26) de la dite chambre principale (16). 10 - Toothbrush according to claim 9, characterized in that said valve system (44, 44 ') comprises a spring branch (44, 44') disposed opposite the opening (28) of the wall ( 26) of said main bedroom (16).
EP99920901A 1998-05-22 1999-05-21 Toothbrush with reservoir Withdrawn EP1079711A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9806466 1998-05-22
FR9806466A FR2778829B1 (en) 1998-05-22 1998-05-22 RESERVOIR TOOTHBRUSH
PCT/FR1999/001205 WO1999060887A1 (en) 1998-05-22 1999-05-21 Toothbrush with reservoir

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1079711A1 true EP1079711A1 (en) 2001-03-07

Family

ID=9526609

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99920901A Withdrawn EP1079711A1 (en) 1998-05-22 1999-05-21 Toothbrush with reservoir

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EP (1) EP1079711A1 (en)
AU (1) AU3830699A (en)
FR (1) FR2778829B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999060887A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8747005B2 (en) 2008-06-04 2014-06-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement with cavitation system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2687126B1 (en) * 2009-12-23 2018-05-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care system

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US2908925A (en) 1958-08-20 1959-10-20 Reitknecht Jack Fountain toothbrush
US4013370A (en) 1975-12-01 1977-03-22 Antoine Gingras Fountain tooth-brush
US4717278A (en) 1983-01-21 1988-01-05 George Kemeny Container toothbrush
DE3630151A1 (en) 1986-09-04 1988-03-10 Juergen Dipl Ing Wirtz Toothbrush having an in-built storage container for toothpaste and supply from the storage container to the brush part
US5066155A (en) 1988-08-29 1991-11-19 English Philip H Toothbrush and paste dispenser
IT90019740A1 (en) 1990-03-21 1991-09-23 Renata Galletti CONTAINER, PARTICULARLY TOOTHBRUSH CONTAINER, WITH DOSED PISTON DELIVERY
GB2285487A (en) * 1994-01-05 1995-07-12 Bovel Henry E Dispensers for viscous substances
FR2733131B1 (en) 1995-04-21 1997-05-30 Blanc Rosset Andre Jules FULLY AUTONOMOUS TOOTHBRUSH (B.E.A.)
GB2304033A (en) * 1995-08-12 1997-03-12 Dean Russell Lees Toothbrush

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8747005B2 (en) 2008-06-04 2014-06-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement with cavitation system
US9398940B2 (en) 2008-06-04 2016-07-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement with cavitation system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999060887A1 (en) 1999-12-02
FR2778829B1 (en) 2000-07-28
FR2778829A1 (en) 1999-11-26
AU3830699A (en) 1999-12-13

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