WO2002015740A1 - Toothbrush with articulated head and parallel and offset brushing planes - Google Patents

Toothbrush with articulated head and parallel and offset brushing planes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002015740A1
WO2002015740A1 PCT/FR2001/002636 FR0102636W WO0215740A1 WO 2002015740 A1 WO2002015740 A1 WO 2002015740A1 FR 0102636 W FR0102636 W FR 0102636W WO 0215740 A1 WO0215740 A1 WO 0215740A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
head
brushing
toothbrush
fixed part
brush
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2001/002636
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Bertrand Zimmer
Original Assignee
Sanofi-Synthelabo
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 Sanofi-Synthelabo filed Critical Sanofi-Synthelabo
Priority to DE60108129T priority Critical patent/DE60108129T2/en
Priority to AU2001285996A priority patent/AU2001285996A1/en
Priority to EP01965333A priority patent/EP1311174B1/en
Priority to DK01965333T priority patent/DK1311174T3/en
Priority to SI200130309T priority patent/SI1311174T1/en
Priority to AT01965333T priority patent/ATE285692T1/en
Publication of WO2002015740A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002015740A1/en

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B5/00Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/002Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
    • A46B5/0025Brushes with elastically deformable heads that change shape during use
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B5/00Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/002Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
    • A46B5/0054Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body
    • A46B5/0062Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body being flexible or resilient during use
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a toothbrush.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a toothbrush comprising a head which is arranged at a longitudinal front end of a handle, of the type in which the head comprises, at its proximal end, on the side of the handle, a fixed part and, at its apical end, a movable part, articulated elastically around a transverse axis, which is capable of pivoting in both directions, upwards and downwards, the two parts of the head being provided, on their faces respective upper, flexible brushing elements such as bristles.
  • a brush of this type is disclosed in document US-A-4,691 .405.
  • the head of a toothbrush will be called the end part, generally distal, arranged at the free end of the handle and handle of the toothbrush and which carries the flexible brushing elements, such as hairs.
  • toothbrushes of the articulated head type do not allow effective brushing both on the internal lateral faces and on the external lateral faces of the teeth.
  • the pivoting movement of the movable part of the head is disordered, which does not make it possible to optimize the contact surface of the bristles with the teeth, nor to provide the user with a pleasant sensation when brushing, when 'he has the head of the toothbrush in his mouth.
  • the invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new design of a toothbrush which in particular allows effective brushing of the teeth on their external faces and on their internal faces.
  • the invention also aims to improve the comfort of brushing felt by the user thanks to better "control" of the movements of the mobile part.
  • the invention provides a toothbrush of the type described above, characterized in that the fixed part is a U-shaped fork inside which is received a central branch belonging to the movable part, the part movable extending longitudinally, beyond the central branch, by an apical end block which constitutes, with the central branch, a generally rigid assembly which is articulated at the apical end of each of the branches of the fork, and in that, in the brush's rest state, the brushing elements located on the fixed part delimit an upper brushing plane substantially parallel and of altitude lower than the upper brushing plane which is delimited by the brushing elements located on the moving part.
  • the brushing plane of the fixed part and the brushing plane of the movable part are inclined relative to the general plane of the upper face of the fixed part;
  • the transverse articulation axis is located substantially mid-length of the head
  • each groove is filled, at least partially, with an elastomerically elastically deformable material.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view which shows a toothbrush according to the teachings of the invention in its rest state;
  • - Figure 2 is a top view of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view from above which represents the head of the toothbrush of Figure 1, and on which the filaments or bristles have not been shown;
  • - Figure 4 is an enlarged top view showing the head of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing the head of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a bottom view in enlarged perspective which shows the head of the toothbrush of Figure
  • FIG. 7 is a side view which shows the head of the toothbrush of Fig ure 1 in its tilted down position;
  • - Fig ure 8 is a view similar to the previous one which represents the head of the toothbrush of fig ure 1 in its tilted up position.
  • Figures 1 and 2 There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a toothbrush 1 0, produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention, in its rest state.
  • the rest position of the toothbrush 10 is defined as being the relative position occupied by its different parts or portions when no force is applied to the brush 10.
  • the toothbrush 10 has a handle 12 for gripping and handling which is oriented generally along a longitudinal axis X-X.
  • the toothbrush 1 0 comprises , at the free front end of the handle 12, a brushing head 14.
  • the head 14 In the rest state of the brush 10, the head 14 has substantially the shape of a plate extending in a longitudinal plane P, contained in the plane of FIG. 2, and delimiting two opposite faces, substantially parallel to each other, which will be arbitrarily designated as upper face 16 and as lower face 18.
  • the top and bottom of the toothbrush 10 are arbitrarily defined according to whether one is placed, respectively, on the side of the upper face 16 or on the side of the lower face 18 of the head 14.
  • the upper face 16 is here the face of the head 14 which carries flexible brushing elements 20d, 20p, 20f.
  • the flexible brushing elements 20d, 20p, 20f are, for example, parallel filaments or bristles which extend perpendicular to the plane of the upper face 16 of the head
  • the filaments 20d, 20p, 20f, intended for brushing the teeth may for example be made of a thermoplastic material of the polyamide or polyethylene type, but they may also be made of natural bristles or other similar elements.
  • the head 14 comprises, at its rear proximal end, that is to say on the side of the handle 12, a fixed part 22 and, at its distal or apical end, front, a mobile part 24.
  • the fixed part 22 is a U-shaped fork which has two branches 26, 28 which are substantially parallel and longitudinal and whose central or transverse branch 27 is connected to the body of the handle 12.
  • the fork 22 has tufts 30 of fixed brushing filaments 20f which are distributed regularly over its entire upper face 32.
  • the free ends of the fixed filaments 20f define an upper brushing plane 34, or fixed brushing plane.
  • the movable part 24 is mounted elastically articulated, at the free end 36, 38 of each branch 26, 28 of the fork
  • the movable part 24 comprises a central branch 40 which is received with clearance inside the fork 22, between the longitudinal branches 26, 28, and a block 42 of apical end which extends the central branch 40 longitudinally, au- beyond the free ends 36, 38 of the longitudinal branches 26, 28 of the fork 22, in the longitudinal plane P.
  • the central branch 40 and the block 42 of apical end form a generally rigid assembly.
  • the U-shaped slot 41 which separates the fork 22 and the central branch 40, has edges 45 opposite one another with a corrugated profile, along the longitudinal plane P, which makes it possible to optimize the transverse width of the head 14 in order to avoid the part bursting during stacking.
  • the movable part 24 and the fork 22 are substantially coplanar and contained in the longitudinal plane P.
  • the movable part 24 has tufts 30 of filaments 20p, 20d of brushing which are distributed regularly over its entire upper face 44.
  • the central branch 40 carries proximal filaments 20p and the apical end block 42 carries apical filaments 20d.
  • the free ends of the filaments 20p, 20d of the mobile part 24 delimit an upper brushing plane 46, or mobile brushing plane.
  • the mobile brushing plane 46 in the rest state of the brush 10, is substantially parallel to the fixed brushing plane 34, and the average altitude of the fixed brushing plane 34 is less than 1 average altitude of the mobile brushing plane 46.
  • the fixed 34 and movable brushing planes 46 are inclined at an angle ⁇ relative to the plane of the upper face 16 of the head 14, that is to say here relative to the longitudinal plane P, so that the altitude of the filaments 20f, 20p, 20d of each brushing plane 34, 46 decreases progressively from the proximal end of the head 14 towards its apical end.
  • Each free end 36, 38 of a longitudinal branch 26, 28 of the fork 22 is linked to the apical end block 42 by a hinge 48, 50 of elastic articulation.
  • the fork 22 and the movable part 24 of the head 14 are molded together in one piece with at least part of the handle 12 of the brush 10, for example made of polypropylene.
  • Each hinge 48, 50 is a film 49, 51 which is produced by means of a transverse groove 52, 54 produced in the lower face 1 8 of the head 14.
  • each transverse groove 52, 54 is generally V-shaped and it has two longitudinally opposite faces, respectively a rear-facing face 58, 60 and a forward-facing face 62, 64.
  • each groove is generally V-shaped and it has two longitudinally opposite faces, respectively a rear-facing face 58, 60 and a forward-facing face 62, 64.
  • the two transverse grooves 52, 54 are connected by a groove 53, of shallow depth, which is formed in the underside 43 of the block 42 of apical end and which is filled with the same elastomeric material as the grooves 52, 54.
  • the groove 53 by communicating the two grooves 52, 54 between them, allows, during the manufacture of the brush 10, to fill the two grooves 52, 54 simultaneously with a single lateral injection of elastomeric material, on one side of the head 14.
  • the groove 53 also draws a decorative pattern, here in the form of an M, on the underside 43 of a block 42 of apical end.
  • connection between the movable part 24 and the fork 22 has a low bending stiffness around the transverse axis YY, which is not compensated by the fillings 56, 57 of elastomer.
  • the hinges 48, 50 therefore allow the movable part 24 to articulate, relative to the fork 22, about the transverse axis Y-Y.
  • the fillings 56, 57 of elastomeric material serve to resiliently return the movable part 24 to its rest position Pr, which corresponds to the rest state of the brush 10, in which the movable part 24 is contained in the longitudinal plane P .
  • the transverse axis YY is located at mid-length of the head 14 and, in the rest state of the brush 1 0, it crosses the apical end 66 of the central branch 40 of the movable part 24.
  • the upper face 16 of the head 14 is devoid of filaments 20 and of grooves facing the hinges 48, 50, that is to say in the two articulation zones, transversely opposite, which in particular facilitates rinsing the head 14 after using the brush 10.
  • the thickness of the films 49, 51 is insufficient to allow stacking, and the presence of tufts of filaments in this region of the head 14 could hinder the tilting of the head 14 around its transverse axis YY.
  • the elastomeric material which fills the transverse grooves 52, 54 is chosen in particular for its flexibility properties, for its capacity to be injected and colored like an ordinary thermoplastic, for its capacity to allow a physicochemical bond with the material.
  • plastic for example polypropylene or polyamide, used for molding the head 14, and for its compatibility with the legislation relating to materials in contact with foodstuffs.
  • the central branch 40 and the fork 22 are wide enough, in the transverse direction, to carry several adjacent tufts 30 of filaments 20p, 20f.
  • the central branch 40 here carries two parallel longitudinal rows of tufts 30 of proximal filaments 20p
  • the fork 22 here carries a row of tufts 30 of fixed filaments 20f over its entire periphery, that is to say from the free end 36 d 'a longitudinal branch 26 to the free end 38 of the other longitudinal branch 28.
  • the movable part 24 therefore tilts globally in the counterclockwise direction around the transverse axis Y-Y, relative to the fixed part 22 of the head 14, considering FIG. 7.
  • each groove 52, 54 then moves away from the associated front face 62, 64, which causes an elastic stretching of the elastomeric material of each filling 56, 57, which then tends to regain its shape initial by resiliently recalling the mobile part 24 towards its rest position Pr, when the force on the head 14 is released.
  • a support q which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal plane P, and which is greater on the apical filaments 20d than on the proximal filaments 20p, then the movable part 24 pivots downward, around the transverse axis YY, that is to say that the apical end block 42 rocks downwards while the central branch 40 rocks upwards, as shown in Figure 8.
  • the movable part 24 therefore switches overall in a clockwise direction around the transverse axis Y-Y, relative to the fixed part 22 of the head 14, considering FIG. 8.
  • each groove 52, 54 then approaches the associated front face 62, 64, which causes elastic compression of the elastomeric material of each filling 56, 57, which then tends to return to its initial shape , by resiliently recalling the movable part 24 towards its rest position Pr, when the force on the head 14 is released.
  • the reminder elastic is obtained thanks to the elastic characteristics of the material used for molding the brush 1 0 according to the invention.
  • the difference in altitude between the fixed 34 and mobile 46 brushing planes allows the user to control the pivoting of the mobile part 24 as a function of the support which it exerts with the head 14 on its teeth.
  • the support exerted on one side of the filaments 20d, 20p of the movable part 24, with respect to the 'YY transverse axis, causes its tilting so that it generally follows the curvature of the teeth.
  • the fixed filaments 20f act more particularly when the central branch 40 rocks downward, in order to fulfill the brushing function in place of its proximal filaments 20p which tend to retract downwards.

Abstract

The invention concerns a toothbrush (10) comprising a head (14) which is arranged at the end of a handle (12), of the type wherein the head (14) comprises a fixed part (22) and a mobile part (24), elastically articulated about a transverse axis (Y-Y), adapted to pivot in both directions. The invention is characterised in that the fixed part (22) is a U-shaped fork wherein is received a central branch (40) pertaining to the mobile part (24) which is articulated at the apical end of each of the branches (26, 28) of the fork (22) and, when the brush (10) is not in use, the brushing elements (20f) located on the fixed part (22) define an upper brushing plane substantially parallel to and at a lower height than an upper brushing plane which is defined by the brushing elements (20d, 20p) located on the mobile part (24).

Description

"Brosse à dents à tête articulée et à plans de brossage parallèles et décalés" "Toothbrush with articulated head and parallel and offset brushing planes"
L'invention se rapporte à une brosse à dents.The invention relates to a toothbrush.
L'invention se rapporte plus particulièrement à une brosse à dents comportant une tête qui est agencée à une extrémité longitudinale avant d'un manche, du type dans laq uelle la tête comporte, à son extrémité proximale, du côté du manche, une partie fixe et, à son extrémité apicale, une partie mobile, articulée élastiquement autour d'un axe transversal, qui est susceptible de pivoter dans les deux sens, vers le haut et vers le bas, les deux parties de la tête étant munies, sur leurs faces supérieures respectives, d'éléments souples de brossage tels que des poils.The invention relates more particularly to a toothbrush comprising a head which is arranged at a longitudinal front end of a handle, of the type in which the head comprises, at its proximal end, on the side of the handle, a fixed part and, at its apical end, a movable part, articulated elastically around a transverse axis, which is capable of pivoting in both directions, upwards and downwards, the two parts of the head being provided, on their faces respective upper, flexible brushing elements such as bristles.
Une brosse de ce type est divulguée dans le document US-A-4.691 .405.A brush of this type is disclosed in document US-A-4,691 .405.
Par définition, on appellera la tête d'une brosse à dents comme la partie d'extrémité, globalement distale, agencée à l'extrémité libre du manche de préhension et de manipulation de la brosse à dents et qui porte les éléments souples de brossage, tels que des poils.By definition, the head of a toothbrush will be called the end part, generally distal, arranged at the free end of the handle and handle of the toothbrush and which carries the flexible brushing elements, such as hairs.
Actuellement, les brosses à dents du type à tête articulée ne permettent pas de réaliser un brossage efficace à la fois sur les faces latérales internes et sur les faces latérales externes des dents. De plus, le mouvement de pivotement de la partie mobile de la tête est désordonné, ce qui ne permet pas d'optimiser la surface de contact des poils avec les dents, ni de procurer à l'utilisateur une sensation agréable lors du brossage, lorsqu'il a la tête de la brosse à dents dans la bouche. L'invention vise donc à remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant une nouvelle conception d'une brosse à dents q ui permette notamment d'effectuer un brossage efficace des dents sur leurs faces externes et sur leurs faces internes.Currently, toothbrushes of the articulated head type do not allow effective brushing both on the internal lateral faces and on the external lateral faces of the teeth. In addition, the pivoting movement of the movable part of the head is disordered, which does not make it possible to optimize the contact surface of the bristles with the teeth, nor to provide the user with a pleasant sensation when brushing, when 'he has the head of the toothbrush in his mouth. The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new design of a toothbrush which in particular allows effective brushing of the teeth on their external faces and on their internal faces.
L'invention vise aussi à améliorer le confort de brossage ressenti par l'utilisateur grâce à un meilleur " pilotage " des mouvements de la partie mobile.The invention also aims to improve the comfort of brushing felt by the user thanks to better "control" of the movements of the mobile part.
Dans ce but, l'invention propose une brosse à dents du type décrit précédemment, caractérisé en ce que la partie fixe est une fourche en forme de U à l'intérieur de laquelle est reçue une branche centrale appartenant à la partie mobile, la partie mobile se prolongeant longitudinalement, au-delà de la branche centrale, par un pavé d'extrémité apicale qui constitue, avec la branche centrale, un ensemble globalement rigide qui est articulé à l'extrémité apicale de chacune des branches de la fourche, et en ce que, dans l'état de repos de la brosse, les éléments de brossage situés sur la partie fixe délimitent un plan supérieur de brossage sensiblement parallèle et d'altitude inférieure au plan supérieur de brossage qui est délimité par les éléments de brossage situés sur la partie mobile.For this purpose, the invention provides a toothbrush of the type described above, characterized in that the fixed part is a U-shaped fork inside which is received a central branch belonging to the movable part, the part movable extending longitudinally, beyond the central branch, by an apical end block which constitutes, with the central branch, a generally rigid assembly which is articulated at the apical end of each of the branches of the fork, and in that, in the brush's rest state, the brushing elements located on the fixed part delimit an upper brushing plane substantially parallel and of altitude lower than the upper brushing plane which is delimited by the brushing elements located on the moving part.
Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention : - dans l'état de repos de la brosse, le plan de brossage de la partie fixe et le plan de brossage de la partie mobile sont inclinés par rapport au plan général de la face supérieure de la partie fixe ;According to other characteristics of the invention: - in the rest state of the brush, the brushing plane of the fixed part and the brushing plane of the movable part are inclined relative to the general plane of the upper face of the fixed part;
- l'axe transversal d'articulation est situé sensiblement à mi-longueur de la tête ;- The transverse articulation axis is located substantially mid-length of the head;
- dans l'état de repos de la brosse, l'axe transversal d'articulation traverse la branche centrale ;- In the rest state of the brush, the transverse axis of articulation crosses the central branch;
- la partie fixe et la partie mobile de la tête sont moulées ensemble d'une seule pièce ; - dans la position de repos de la brosse, la partie fixe et la partie mobile sont globalement coplanaires, délimitant une face inférieure et une face supérieure de la tête, et la face inférieure de la tête comporte une rainure transversale à l'extrémité apicale de chaq ue branche de la fourche, de manière à former deux charnières d'articulation élastique de la partie mobile par rapport à la partie fixe ; - selon une forme d'exécution de l'invention, chaque rainure est remplie, au moins partiellement, d'un matériau élastomère déformable élastiquement.- The fixed part and the mobile part of the head are molded together in one piece; - in the brush rest position, the fixed part and the mobile part are generally coplanar, delimiting a lower face and an upper face of the head, and the lower face of the head has a transverse groove at the apical end of each branch of the fork, so as to form two hinges of elastic articulation of the movable part relative to the fixed part; - According to one embodiment of the invention, each groove is filled, at least partially, with an elastomerically elastically deformable material.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit pour la compréhension de laquelle on se reportera aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue de côté qui représente une brosse à dents conforme aux enseignements de l'invention dans son état de repos ; - la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 ;- Figure 1 is a side view which shows a toothbrush according to the teachings of the invention in its rest state; - Figure 2 is a top view of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- la figure 3 est une vue de dessus en perspective agrandie qui représente la tête de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 , et sur laquelle on n'a pas représenté les filaments, ou poils ; - la figure 4 est une vue de dessus agrandie qui représente la tête de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 ;- Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view from above which represents the head of the toothbrush of Figure 1, and on which the filaments or bristles have not been shown; - Figure 4 is an enlarged top view showing the head of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- la figure 5 est une vue de dessous agrandie qui représente la tête de la brosse à dents de la figure 1 ;- Figure 5 is an enlarged bottom view showing the head of the toothbrush of Figure 1;
- la figure 6 est une vue de dessous en perspective agrandie qui représente la tête de la brosse à dents de la figure- Figure 6 is a bottom view in enlarged perspective which shows the head of the toothbrush of Figure
1 ;1;
- la figure 7 est une vue de côté qui représente la tête de la brosse à dents de la fig ure 1 dans sa position basculée vers le bas ; - la fig ure 8 est une vue similaire à la précédente qui représente la tête de la brosse à dents de la fig ure 1 dans sa position basculée vers le haut. On a représenté sur les figures 1 et 2 une brosse à dents 1 0, réalisée conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, dans son état de repos.- Figure 7 is a side view which shows the head of the toothbrush of Fig ure 1 in its tilted down position; - Fig ure 8 is a view similar to the previous one which represents the head of the toothbrush of fig ure 1 in its tilted up position. There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a toothbrush 1 0, produced in accordance with the teachings of the invention, in its rest state.
On définit la position de repos de la brosse à dents 10 comme étant la position relative occupée par ses différentes parties ou portions lorsqu'aucun effort n'est appliqué à la brosse 10.The rest position of the toothbrush 10 is defined as being the relative position occupied by its different parts or portions when no force is applied to the brush 10.
La brosse à dents 10 comporte un manche 12 de préhension et de manipulation qui est orienté globalement selon un axe longitudinal X-X.The toothbrush 10 has a handle 12 for gripping and handling which is oriented generally along a longitudinal axis X-X.
Dans la suite de la description on utilisera, à titre non limitatif, une orientation d'avant en arrière selon l'axe longitudinal X-X qui correspond à une orientation de haut en bas sur les figures 1 et 2. La brosse à dents 1 0 comporte, à l'extrémité avant libre du manche 12, une tête 14 de brossage.In the following description, a non-limiting orientation will be used from front to back along the longitudinal axis XX which corresponds to an orientation from top to bottom in FIGS. 1 and 2. The toothbrush 1 0 comprises , at the free front end of the handle 12, a brushing head 14.
Dans l'état de repos de la brosse 1 0, la tête 14 présente sensiblement une forme de plaque s'étendant dans un plan longitudinal P, contenu dans le plan de la figure 2 , et délimitant deux faces opposées, sensiblement parallèles entre elles, qui seront désignées arbitrairement comme face supérieure 16 et comme face inférieure 18.In the rest state of the brush 10, the head 14 has substantially the shape of a plate extending in a longitudinal plane P, contained in the plane of FIG. 2, and delimiting two opposite faces, substantially parallel to each other, which will be arbitrarily designated as upper face 16 and as lower face 18.
On définit arbitrairement le haut et le bas de la brosse 10 à dents suivant que l'on se place, respectivement, du côté de la face supérieure 16 ou du côté de la face inférieure 18 de la tête 14.The top and bottom of the toothbrush 10 are arbitrarily defined according to whether one is placed, respectively, on the side of the upper face 16 or on the side of the lower face 18 of the head 14.
La face supérieure 16 est ici la face de la tête 14 qui porte des éléments souples 20d , 20p, 20f de brossage.The upper face 16 is here the face of the head 14 which carries flexible brushing elements 20d, 20p, 20f.
Les éléments souples 20d , 20p, 20f de brossage sont par exemple des filaments, ou poils, parallèles qui s'étendent perpendiculairement au plan de la face supérieure 16 de la tête Les filaments 20d , 20p, 20f, destinés à assurer le brossage des dents, peuvent être par exemple réalisés en un matériau thermoplastique de type polyamide ou polyéthylène, mais ils peuvent aussi être constitués de soies naturelles ou d'autres éléments analogues.The flexible brushing elements 20d, 20p, 20f are, for example, parallel filaments or bristles which extend perpendicular to the plane of the upper face 16 of the head The filaments 20d, 20p, 20f, intended for brushing the teeth, may for example be made of a thermoplastic material of the polyamide or polyethylene type, but they may also be made of natural bristles or other similar elements.
La tête 14 comporte, à son extrémité proximale arrière, c'est à dire du côté du manche 12, une partie fixe 22 et, à son extrémité distale, ou apicale, avant, une partie mobile 24.The head 14 comprises, at its rear proximal end, that is to say on the side of the handle 12, a fixed part 22 and, at its distal or apical end, front, a mobile part 24.
La partie fixe 22 est une fourche en forme de U q ui comporte deux branches 26, 28 sensiblement parallèles et longitudinales et dont la branche centrale ou transversale 27 est reliée au corps du manche 12.The fixed part 22 is a U-shaped fork which has two branches 26, 28 which are substantially parallel and longitudinal and whose central or transverse branch 27 is connected to the body of the handle 12.
Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 1 et 2, la fourche 22 comporte des touffes 30 de filaments fixes 20f de brossage qui sont réparties régulièrement sur toute sa face supérieure 32.As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fork 22 has tufts 30 of fixed brushing filaments 20f which are distributed regularly over its entire upper face 32.
Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 1 , les extrémités libres des filaments fixes 20f délimitent un plan supérieur de brossage 34, ou plan de brossage fixe.As can be seen in Figure 1, the free ends of the fixed filaments 20f define an upper brushing plane 34, or fixed brushing plane.
La partie mobile 24 est montée articulée élastiquement, à l'extrémité libre 36, 38 de chaque branche 26, 28 de la fourcheThe movable part 24 is mounted elastically articulated, at the free end 36, 38 of each branch 26, 28 of the fork
22, autour d'un axe transversal Y-Y, c'est à dire autour d'un axe qui est sensiblement orthogonal à l'axe longitudinal X-X et contenu dans le plan général de la tête 14.22, around a transverse axis Y-Y, that is to say around an axis which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X-X and contained in the general plane of the head 14.
La partie mobile 24 comporte une branche centrale 40 q ui est reçue avec jeu à l'intérieur de la fourche 22, entre les branches longitudinales 26, 28, et un pavé 42 d'extrémité apicale qui prolonge longitudinalement la branche centrale 40, au-delà des extrémités libres 36, 38 des branches longitudinales 26, 28 de la fourche 22, dans le plan longitudinal P. La branche centrale 40 et le pavé 42 d'extrémité apicale forment un ensemble globalement rigide. Comme on peut le voir en particulier sur les figures 4 et 5, la fente 41 en U , qui sépare la fourche 22 et la branche centrale 40, a des bords 45 en vis-à-vis avec un profil ondulé, selon le plan longitudinal P, ce qui permet d'optimiser la largeur transversale de la tête 14 en vue d'éviter l'éclatement de la pièce lors de l'empoilage.The movable part 24 comprises a central branch 40 which is received with clearance inside the fork 22, between the longitudinal branches 26, 28, and a block 42 of apical end which extends the central branch 40 longitudinally, au- beyond the free ends 36, 38 of the longitudinal branches 26, 28 of the fork 22, in the longitudinal plane P. The central branch 40 and the block 42 of apical end form a generally rigid assembly. As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5, the U-shaped slot 41, which separates the fork 22 and the central branch 40, has edges 45 opposite one another with a corrugated profile, along the longitudinal plane P, which makes it possible to optimize the transverse width of the head 14 in order to avoid the part bursting during stacking.
Dans l'état de repos de la brosse 10, la partie mobile 24 et la fourche 22 sont sensiblement coplanaires et contenues dans le plan longitudinal P. Comme on peut le voir sur la fig ure 2, la partie mobile 24 comporte des touffes 30 de filaments 20p, 20d de brossage qui sont réparties régulièrement sur toute sa face supérieure 44.In the rest state of the brush 10, the movable part 24 and the fork 22 are substantially coplanar and contained in the longitudinal plane P. As can be seen in FIG ure 2, the movable part 24 has tufts 30 of filaments 20p, 20d of brushing which are distributed regularly over its entire upper face 44.
La branche centrale 40 porte des filaments proximaux 20p et le pavé 42 d'extrémité apicale porte des filaments apicaux 20d.The central branch 40 carries proximal filaments 20p and the apical end block 42 carries apical filaments 20d.
Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 1 , les extrémités libres des filaments 20p, 20d de la partie mobile 24 délimitent un plan supérieur de brossage 46, ou plan de brossage mobile.As can be seen in FIG. 1, the free ends of the filaments 20p, 20d of the mobile part 24 delimit an upper brushing plane 46, or mobile brushing plane.
Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention , dans l'état de repos de la brosse 10, le plan de brossage mobile 46 est sensiblement parallèle au plan de brossage fixe 34, et l'altitude moyenne du plan de brossage fixe 34 est inférieure à l'altitude moyenne du plan de brossage mobile 46.In accordance with the teachings of the invention, in the rest state of the brush 10, the mobile brushing plane 46 is substantially parallel to the fixed brushing plane 34, and the average altitude of the fixed brushing plane 34 is less than 1 average altitude of the mobile brushing plane 46.
Avantageusement, dans l'état de repos de la brosse 1 0, les plans de brossage fixe 34 et mobile 46 sont inclinés d'un angle α par rapport au plan de la face supérieure 16 de la tête 14, c'est à dire ici par rapport au plan longitudinal P, de manière que l'altitude des filaments 20f, 20p, 20d de chaque plan de brossage 34, 46 diminue progressivement depuis l'extrémité proximale de la tête 14 vers son extrémité apicale. Chaque extrémité libre 36, 38 d'une branche longitudinale 26, 28 de la fourche 22 est liée au pavé d'extrémité apicale 42 par une charnière 48, 50 d'articulation élastique.Advantageously, in the rest state of the brush 1 0, the fixed 34 and movable brushing planes 46 are inclined at an angle α relative to the plane of the upper face 16 of the head 14, that is to say here relative to the longitudinal plane P, so that the altitude of the filaments 20f, 20p, 20d of each brushing plane 34, 46 decreases progressively from the proximal end of the head 14 towards its apical end. Each free end 36, 38 of a longitudinal branch 26, 28 of the fork 22 is linked to the apical end block 42 by a hinge 48, 50 of elastic articulation.
Avantageusement, la fourche 22 et la partie mobile 24 de la tête 14 sont moulées ensemble d'une seule pièce avec au moins une partie du manche 12 de la brosse 1 0, par exemple en polypropylène.Advantageously, the fork 22 and the movable part 24 of the head 14 are molded together in one piece with at least part of the handle 12 of the brush 10, for example made of polypropylene.
Chaque charnière 48, 50 est un film 49, 51 qui est réalisé à la faveur d'une rainure transversale 52, 54 réalisée dans la face inférieure 1 8 de la tête 14.Each hinge 48, 50 is a film 49, 51 which is produced by means of a transverse groove 52, 54 produced in the lower face 1 8 of the head 14.
En section longitudinale, chaque rainure transversale 52, 54 est globalement en forme de V et elle comporte deux faces opposées longitudinalement, respectivement une face orientée vers l'arrière 58, 60 et une face orientée vers l'avant 62, 64. Selon la forme d'exécution représentée, chaque rainureIn longitudinal section, each transverse groove 52, 54 is generally V-shaped and it has two longitudinally opposite faces, respectively a rear-facing face 58, 60 and a forward-facing face 62, 64. Depending on the shape execution shown, each groove
52, 54 comporte un remplissage 56, 57, ici partiel, de matière élastomère déformable élastiquement.52, 54 comprises a filling 56, 57, here partial, of elastically deformable elastomeric material.
Comme on le voit sur les figures 5 et 6, les deux rainures transversale 52, 54 sont reliées par une gorge 53, de faible profondeur, qui est formée dans la face inférieure 43 du pavé 42 d'extrémité apicale et qui est remplie de la même matière élastomère que les rainures 52, 54.As seen in Figures 5 and 6, the two transverse grooves 52, 54 are connected by a groove 53, of shallow depth, which is formed in the underside 43 of the block 42 of apical end and which is filled with the same elastomeric material as the grooves 52, 54.
La gorge 53, en faisant communiquer les deux rainures 52, 54 entre elles, permet, lors de la fabrication de la brosse 1 0, de remplir les deux rainures 52, 54 simultanément par une seule injection latérale de matière élastomère, d'un côté de la tête 14.The groove 53, by communicating the two grooves 52, 54 between them, allows, during the manufacture of the brush 10, to fill the two grooves 52, 54 simultaneously with a single lateral injection of elastomeric material, on one side of the head 14.
La gorge 53 dessine aussi un motif décoratif, ici en forme de M, sur la face inférieure 43 d u pavé 42 d'extrémité apicale.The groove 53 also draws a decorative pattern, here in the form of an M, on the underside 43 of a block 42 of apical end.
En raison de la présence des rainures 52, 54 dans la face inférieure 1 8 de la tête 14, la liaison entre la partie mobile 24 et la fourche 22 possède une faible rigidité en flexion autour de l'axe transversal Y-Y, qui n'est pas compensée par les remplissages 56, 57 d'élastomère.Due to the presence of the grooves 52, 54 in the lower face 1 8 of the head 14, the connection between the movable part 24 and the fork 22 has a low bending stiffness around the transverse axis YY, which is not compensated by the fillings 56, 57 of elastomer.
Les charnières 48, 50 permettent donc à la partie mobile 24 de s'articuler, par rapport à la fourche 22, autour de l'axe transversal Y-Y.The hinges 48, 50 therefore allow the movable part 24 to articulate, relative to the fork 22, about the transverse axis Y-Y.
Les remplissages 56, 57 de matière élastomère servent à rappeler élastiquement la partie mobile 24 vers sa position de repos Pr, qui correspond à l'état de repos de la brosse 1 0, dans laquelle la partie mobile 24 est contenue dans le plan longitudinal P.The fillings 56, 57 of elastomeric material serve to resiliently return the movable part 24 to its rest position Pr, which corresponds to the rest state of the brush 10, in which the movable part 24 is contained in the longitudinal plane P .
Avantageusement, l'axe transversal Y-Y est situé à mi- longueur de la tête 14 et, dans l'état de repos de la brosse 1 0, il traverse l'extrémité apicale 66 de la branche centrale 40 de la partie mobile 24. On note que la face supérieure 16 de la tête 14 est dépourvue de filaments 20 et de rainures en vis-à-vis des charnières 48, 50, c'est à dire dans les deux zones d'articulation, transversalement opposées, ce qui facilite notamment le rinçage de la tête 14 après l'utilisation de la brosse 10. De plus, l'épaisseur des films 49, 51 est insuffisante pour permettre un empoilage, et la présence de touffes de filaments dans cette région de la tête 14 pourrait gêner le basculement de la tête 14 autour de son axe transversal Y-Y.Advantageously, the transverse axis YY is located at mid-length of the head 14 and, in the rest state of the brush 1 0, it crosses the apical end 66 of the central branch 40 of the movable part 24. note that the upper face 16 of the head 14 is devoid of filaments 20 and of grooves facing the hinges 48, 50, that is to say in the two articulation zones, transversely opposite, which in particular facilitates rinsing the head 14 after using the brush 10. In addition, the thickness of the films 49, 51 is insufficient to allow stacking, and the presence of tufts of filaments in this region of the head 14 could hinder the tilting of the head 14 around its transverse axis YY.
La matière élastomère qui remplit les rainures transver- sales 52, 54 est choisie en particulier pour ses propriétés de flexibilité, pour sa capacité à être injectée et colorée comme un thermoplastiq ue ordinaire, pour sa capacité à permettre une liaison physico-chimique avec la matière plastique, par exemple le polypropylène ou le polyamide, utilisée pour le moulage de la tête 14, et pour sa compatibilité avec la législation relative aux matériaux au contact des denrées alimentaires. On note que la branche centrale 40 et la fourche 22 sont suffisamment larges, dans le sens transversal, pour porter plusieurs touffes adjacentes 30 de filaments 20p , 20f.The elastomeric material which fills the transverse grooves 52, 54 is chosen in particular for its flexibility properties, for its capacity to be injected and colored like an ordinary thermoplastic, for its capacity to allow a physicochemical bond with the material. plastic, for example polypropylene or polyamide, used for molding the head 14, and for its compatibility with the legislation relating to materials in contact with foodstuffs. It will be noted that the central branch 40 and the fork 22 are wide enough, in the transverse direction, to carry several adjacent tufts 30 of filaments 20p, 20f.
La branche centrale 40 porte ici deux rangées longitudinales parallèles de touffes 30 de filaments proximaux 20p, et la fourche 22 porte ici une rangée de touffes 30 de filaments fixes 20f sur tout son pourtour, c'est à dire depuis l'extrémité libre 36 d'une branche longitudinale 26 jusqu'à l'extrémité libre 38 de l'autre branche longitudinale 28. On expliquera maintenant les mouvements de la partie mobile 24 de la brosse 1 0 à dents selon l'invention , notamment en référence aux figures 7 et 8.The central branch 40 here carries two parallel longitudinal rows of tufts 30 of proximal filaments 20p, and the fork 22 here carries a row of tufts 30 of fixed filaments 20f over its entire periphery, that is to say from the free end 36 d 'a longitudinal branch 26 to the free end 38 of the other longitudinal branch 28. We will now explain the movements of the movable part 24 of the toothbrush 1 0 according to the invention, in particular with reference to Figures 7 and 8.
La brosse 10 étant dans son état de repos, lorsque l'on exerce sur la tête 14 un appui qui est sensiblement orthogonal au plan longitudinal P, et q ui est plus important su r les filaments proximaux 20p que sur les filaments apicaux 20d , alors la partie mobile 24 pivote vers le haut, autour de l'axe transversal Y-Y, c'est à dire que le pavé 42 d'extrémité apicale bascule vers le haut alors que la branche centrale 40 bascule vers le bas, comme on l'a représenté à la figure 7.The brush 10 being in its rest state, when there is a pressure on the head 14 which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal plane P, and which is greater on the proximal filaments 20p than on the apical filaments 20d, then the movable part 24 pivots upward, around the transverse axis YY, that is to say that the apical end block 42 rocks upwards while the central branch 40 rocks downwards, as we have shown in Figure 7.
La partie mobile 24 bascule donc globalement dans le sens anti-horaire autour de l'axe transversal Y-Y, par rapport à la partie fixe 22 de la tête 14, en considérant la figure 7.The movable part 24 therefore tilts globally in the counterclockwise direction around the transverse axis Y-Y, relative to the fixed part 22 of the head 14, considering FIG. 7.
La face arrière 58, 60 de chaque rainure 52, 54 s'éloigne alors de la face avant associée 62, 64, ce q ui provoque un étirement élastique de la matière élastomère de chaque remplissage 56, 57, qui tend ensuite à reprendre sa forme initiale en rappelant élastiquement la partie mobile 24 vers sa position de repos Pr, lorsque l'effort sur la tête 14 est relâché. De manière opposée, lorsque l'on exerce su r la tête 14 un appui q ui est sensiblement orthogonal au plan longitudinal P , et qui est plus important sur les filaments apicaux 20d que sur les filaments proximaux 20p, alors la partie mobile 24 pivote vers le bas, autour de l'axe transversal Y-Y, c'est à dire que le pavé 42 d'extrémité apicale bascule vers le bas alors que la branche centrale 40 bascule vers le haut, comme on l'a représenté à la figure 8.The rear face 58, 60 of each groove 52, 54 then moves away from the associated front face 62, 64, which causes an elastic stretching of the elastomeric material of each filling 56, 57, which then tends to regain its shape initial by resiliently recalling the mobile part 24 towards its rest position Pr, when the force on the head 14 is released. Conversely, when one exercises on the head 14 a support q which is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal plane P, and which is greater on the apical filaments 20d than on the proximal filaments 20p, then the movable part 24 pivots downward, around the transverse axis YY, that is to say that the apical end block 42 rocks downwards while the central branch 40 rocks upwards, as shown in Figure 8.
La partie mobile 24 bascule donc globalement dans le sens horaire autour de l'axe transversal Y-Y, par rapport à la partie fixe 22 de la tête 14, en considérant la figure 8.The movable part 24 therefore switches overall in a clockwise direction around the transverse axis Y-Y, relative to the fixed part 22 of the head 14, considering FIG. 8.
La face arrière 58, 60 de chaque rainure 52, 54 se rapproche alors de la face avant associée 62, 64, ce q ui provoque une compression élastique de la matière élastomère de chaque remplissage 56, 57, qui tend ensuite à reprendre sa forme initiale, en rappelant élastiquement la partie mobile 24 vers sa position de repos Pr, lorsq ue l'effort sur la tête 14 est relâché.The rear face 58, 60 of each groove 52, 54 then approaches the associated front face 62, 64, which causes elastic compression of the elastomeric material of each filling 56, 57, which then tends to return to its initial shape , by resiliently recalling the movable part 24 towards its rest position Pr, when the force on the head 14 is released.
On note que, lorsque la partie mobile 24 bascule vers le bas, les extrémités libres des touffes A de filaments de la partie mobile 24 adjacentes aux charnières 48, 50 viennent en appui sur les extrémités libres des touffes B de filaments de la partie fixe 22 en vis-à-vis par rapport à l'axe transversal Y-Y, ce qui provoque un léger fléchissement de ces extrémités libres, comme on peut l'observer sur la figure 7.It will be noted that, when the movable part 24 swings down, the free ends of the tufts A of filaments of the mobile part 24 adjacent to the hinges 48, 50 come to bear on the free ends of the tufts B of filaments of the fixed part 22 vis-à-vis the transverse axis YY, which causes a slight deflection of these free ends, as can be seen in Figure 7.
Selon une variante de réalisation (non représentée) de l'invention, on peut ménager un espace entre les touffes de filaments A, B adjacentes aux charnières 48 , 50 tel que leurs extrémités libres ne se touchent pas, lors du basculement de la partie mobile 24 vers le bas.According to an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the invention, it is possible to provide a space between the tufts of filaments A, B adjacent to the hinges 48, 50 such that their free ends do not touch each other, during the tilting of the mobile part. 24 down.
Si les films 49, 51 comportaient des touffes de filaments, celles-ci gêneraient le basculement vers le bas de la partie mobile 24.If the films 49, 51 had tufts of filaments, these would hinder the downward tilting of the mobile part 24.
Dans une variante d'exécution selon laquelle les rainures 52, 54 ne contiennent pas de matière élastomère, le rappel élastique est obtenu grâce aux caractéristiq ues élastiques de la matière utilisée pour le moulage de la brosse 1 0 selon l'invention.In an alternative embodiment according to which the grooves 52, 54 do not contain elastomeric material, the reminder elastic is obtained thanks to the elastic characteristics of the material used for molding the brush 1 0 according to the invention.
La différence d'altitude entre les plans de brossage fixe 34 et mobile 46 permet à l'utilisateur de commander le pivotement de la partie mobile 24 en fonction de l'appui qu'il exerce avec la tête 14 sur ses dents.The difference in altitude between the fixed 34 and mobile 46 brushing planes allows the user to control the pivoting of the mobile part 24 as a function of the support which it exerts with the head 14 on its teeth.
Lorsqu'il brosse ses dents " à plat ", il appuie de manière sensiblement uniforme sur tous les filaments 20 de la partie mobile 24 qui ne pivote pas.When he brushes his teeth "flat", he presses in a substantially uniform manner on all the filaments 20 of the movable part 24 which does not pivot.
Lorsqu'il brosse ses dents sur une zone courbe, que ce soit sur la face latérale interne ou sur la face latérale externe des dents, l'appui exercé sur un côté des filaments 20d , 20p de la partie mobile 24, par rapport à l'axe transversal Y-Y, provoque son basculement de manière qu'elle suive globalement la courbure des dents.When brushing his teeth on a curved area, whether on the internal lateral face or on the external lateral face of the teeth, the support exerted on one side of the filaments 20d, 20p of the movable part 24, with respect to the 'YY transverse axis, causes its tilting so that it generally follows the curvature of the teeth.
Les filaments fixes 20f agissent plus particulièrement lorsque la branche centrale 40 bascule vers le bas, en vue de remplir la fonction de brossage à la place de ses filaments proximaux 20p qui tendent à s'escamoter vers le bas. The fixed filaments 20f act more particularly when the central branch 40 rocks downward, in order to fulfill the brushing function in place of its proximal filaments 20p which tend to retract downwards.

Claims

REVEN D ICATIONS REVEN D ICATIONS
1 . Brosse (10) à dents comportant une tête (14) qui est agencée à une extrémité longitudinale avant d'un manche (12), du type dans laquelle la tête (14) comporte, à son extrémité proximale, du côté du manche (12) , une partie fixe (22) et, à son extrémité apicale, une partie mobile (24) , articulée élastiquement autour d'un axe transversal (Y-Y), qui est susceptible de pivoter dans les deux sens, vers le haut et vers le bas, les deux parties (22, 24) de la tête (14) étant munies, sur leurs faces supérieures respectives (32, 44), d'éléments souples de brossage (20d , 20p, 20f, 30) tels que des poils, caractérisée en ce que la partie fixe (22) est une fourche en forme de U à l'intérieur de laquelle est reçue une branche centrale (40) appartenant à la partie mobile (24) , la partie mobile (24) se prolongeant longitudinalement, au-delà de la branche centrale (40), par un pavé (42) d'extrémité apicale qui constitue, avec la branche centrale (40), un ensemble g lobalement rigide qui est articulé à l'extrémité apicale (36, 38) de chacune des branches (26, 28) de la fourche (22), et en ce que, dans l'état de repos de la brosse (1 0) , les éléments de brossage (20f, 30) situés sur la partie fixe (22) délimitent un plan supérieur (34) de brossage sensiblement parallèle et d'altitude inférieure au plan supérieur (46) de brossage qui est délimité par les éléments de brossage (20d , 20p, 30) situés sur la partie mobile (24).1. Toothbrush (10) comprising a head (14) which is arranged at a front longitudinal end of a handle (12), of the type in which the head (14) has, at its proximal end, on the side of the handle (12 ), a fixed part (22) and, at its apical end, a mobile part (24), articulated elastically around a transverse axis (YY), which is capable of pivoting in both directions, upwards and bottom, the two parts (22, 24) of the head (14) being provided, on their respective upper faces (32, 44), with flexible brushing elements (20d, 20p, 20f, 30) such as bristles, characterized in that the fixed part (22) is a U-shaped fork inside which is received a central branch (40) belonging to the mobile part (24), the mobile part (24) extending longitudinally, beyond the central branch (40), by a block (42) of apical end which constitutes, with the central branch (40), a set gl rigid obally which is articulated at the apical end (36, 38) of each of the branches (26, 28) of the fork (22), and in that, in the rest state of the brush (1 0), the brushing elements (20f, 30) located on the fixed part (22) delimit an upper plane (34) of substantially parallel brushing and of altitude lower than the upper brushing plane (46) which is delimited by the brushing elements ( 20d, 20p, 30) located on the movable part (24).
2. Brosse (10) à dents selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que, dans l'état de repos de la brosse (1 0) , le plan (34) de brossage de la partie fixe (22) et le plan (46) de brossage de la partie mobile (24) sont inclinés par rapport au plan (P) général de la face supérieure (32) de la partie fixe (22) .2. Brush (10) with teeth according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in the rest state of the brush (1 0), the plane (34) for brushing the fixed part (22) and the plane ( 46) for brushing the movable part (24) are inclined relative to the general plane (P) of the upper face (32) of the fixed part (22).
3. Brosse (1 0) à dents selon l'une q uelconq ue des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'axe transversal (Y-Y) d'articulation est situé sensiblement à mi- longueur de la tête (14).3. Toothbrush (1 0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis transverse (YY) joint is located substantially mid-length of the head (14).
4. Brosse (10) à dents selon l'une q uelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce q ue, dans l'état de repos de la brosse (10), l'axe transversal (Y-Y) d'articulation traverse la branche centrale (40).4. Toothbrush (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the rest state of the brush (10), the transverse axis (YY) of articulation crosses the branch central (40).
5. Brosse (10) à dents selon l'une q uelconq ue des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce q ue la partie fixe (22) et la partie mobile (24) de la tête (14) sont moulées ensemble d'une seule pièce.5. Toothbrush (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed part (22) and the mobile part (24) of the head (14) are molded together in one room.
6. Brosse (10) à dents selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que, dans la position de repos de la brosse (10), la partie fixe (22) et la partie mobile (24) sont globalement coplanaires, délimitant une face inférieure (18) et une face supérieure (16) de la tête (14), et en ce que la face inférieure (18) de la tête (14) comporte une rainure transversale (52, 54) à l'extrémité apicale (36, 38) de chaque branche (26, 28) de la fourche (22), de manière à former deux charnières (48, 50) d'articulation élastique de la partie mobile (24) par rapport à la partie fixe (22).6. Toothbrush (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, in the rest position of the brush (10), the fixed part (22) and the mobile part (24) are generally coplanar, delimiting a face lower (18) and an upper face (16) of the head (14), and in that the lower face (18) of the head (14) has a transverse groove (52, 54) at the apical end (36 , 38) of each branch (26, 28) of the fork (22), so as to form two hinges (48, 50) of elastic articulation of the movable part (24) relative to the fixed part (22).
7. Brosse (10) à dents selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que chaque rainure (52, 54) est remplie, au moins partiellement, d'un matériau élastomère déformable élastiq uement. 7. Toothbrush (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each groove (52, 54) is filled, at least partially, with an elastically deformable elastomeric material.
PCT/FR2001/002636 2000-08-25 2001-08-21 Toothbrush with articulated head and parallel and offset brushing planes WO2002015740A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60108129T DE60108129T2 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-21 TOOTHBRUSH WITH JOINT HEAD AND PARALLEL SHIFTED BRUSH LEVELS
AU2001285996A AU2001285996A1 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-21 Toothbrush with articulated head and parallel and offset brushing planes
EP01965333A EP1311174B1 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-21 Toothbrush with articulated head and parallel and offset brushing planes
DK01965333T DK1311174T3 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-21 Toothbrush with articulated head and with parallel and staggered brush plans
SI200130309T SI1311174T1 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-21 Toothbrush with articulated head and parallel and offset brushing planes
AT01965333T ATE285692T1 (en) 2000-08-25 2001-08-21 TOOTHBRUSH WITH JOINT HEAD AND PARALLEL-SHIFT BRUSH LEVELS

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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FR0010931A FR2813170B1 (en) 2000-08-25 2000-08-25 TOOTHBRUSH WITH ARTICULATED HEAD AND PARALLEL AND OFFSET BRUSH PLANS
FR00/10931 2000-08-25

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EP (1) EP1311174B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE285692T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2001285996A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60108129T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2232657T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2813170B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1311174E (en)
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EP1621105A1 (en) 2004-07-31 2006-02-01 Trisa Holding AG Toothbrush having cavities
US8578544B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2013-11-12 The Gillette Company Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same

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DE10219516A1 (en) * 2002-04-30 2003-11-20 Braun Gmbh Method of making a toothbrush with a split brush head
FR2855727B1 (en) 2003-06-03 2006-12-01 Moche Aslanov TOOTHBRUSH COMPRISING MOBILE PARTS (A) AND (C) AND A FIXED PART (B) AND ACTIVE JOINT

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US4691405A (en) 1985-07-29 1987-09-08 Reed Joseph C Toothbrush having adjustable bristle-mounted tabs
US5991958A (en) * 1995-12-29 1999-11-30 Colgate-Pamolive Company Contouring toothbrush head
EP0990401A1 (en) * 1995-08-25 2000-04-05 SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH Toothbrush

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4488328A (en) * 1983-01-24 1984-12-18 Hyman Richard M Floating head toothbrush
US4691405A (en) 1985-07-29 1987-09-08 Reed Joseph C Toothbrush having adjustable bristle-mounted tabs
EP0990401A1 (en) * 1995-08-25 2000-04-05 SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH Toothbrush
US5991958A (en) * 1995-12-29 1999-11-30 Colgate-Pamolive Company Contouring toothbrush head

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1621105A1 (en) 2004-07-31 2006-02-01 Trisa Holding AG Toothbrush having cavities
WO2006012938A2 (en) 2004-07-31 2006-02-09 Trisa Holding Ag Toothbrush with recesses
US8046864B2 (en) 2004-07-31 2011-11-01 Trisa Holding Ag Toothbrush with recesses
US8578544B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2013-11-12 The Gillette Company Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same
US9504312B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2016-11-29 The Gillette Company Llc Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1311174B1 (en) 2004-12-29
FR2813170B1 (en) 2003-03-28
DE60108129D1 (en) 2005-02-03
FR2813170A1 (en) 2002-03-01
EP1311174A1 (en) 2003-05-21
ES2232657T3 (en) 2005-06-01
PT1311174E (en) 2005-03-31
AU2001285996A1 (en) 2002-03-04
DE60108129T2 (en) 2005-12-08
ATE285692T1 (en) 2005-01-15

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